8/22/2005
Media Contact:
Margie Smith-Simmons, 327.4669 |
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The city continues to combat raw sewage overflows
INDIANAPOLIS -Mayor Bart Peterson joined Public Works Director Jim Garrard and other project partners to cut the ribbon on a $28 million project that will keep approximately 2 billion gallons of raw sewage from flowing into the White River and Little Buck Creek.
The project encompasses both the Belmont and Southport Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants. Flow equalization basins and a new raw sewage pumping station were installed at the plants, which will reduce the frequency and volume of raw sewage overflows into the White River and Little Buck Creek by temporarily storing the flows during wet weather until the plants have the capacity to treat the flows.
"The city has committed itself to tackling the disgusting practice of raw sewage overflows into our waterways," said Mayor Peterson. "This project will improve our neighborhoods' quality of life and help us become a world-class city."
The $15.3 million upgrades at Belmont include two earthen-walled, double-lined basins and two combination concrete storage tanks/primary clarifiers. Combined, the facilities will store up to 38 million gallons of wastewater.
The $12.8 million Southport improvements include a new 75 million-gallon per day raw sewage pump station, new 48-inch force mains to convey flows, and an earthen-walled double-lined basin for storage and later treatment. The Southport basin has the capacity to store up to 25 million gallons of wastewater.
"Projects like this one are at the core of what DPW stands for: to provide high quality customer service to the citizens and visitors of Indianapolis by managing the infrastructure systems of wastewater and stormwater, as well as transportation and solid waste collection and disposal for the city," said Garrard.
On average, Indianapolis experiences 45 to 80 raw sewage overflows per year. This project will divert nearly 2 billion gallons of wastewater annually from local waterways. The project was completed on budget and months ahead of schedule.
"We've made great strides. But there is still more to do to preserve and protect our environment," said Mayor Peterson.
This project is part of the city's Long Term Control Plan to combat the century-old problem of raw sewage overflows into our local waterways. It will take nearly 20 years to fully implement the plan.
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