Lapel studying rain water entering sewer system

Ken de la Bastide, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
·2 min read

Apr. 19—LAPEL — The town of Lapel has hired a company to check for stormwater in community's sanitary sewer system.

The Lapel Town Council Thursday voted to hire Gripp Inc. to conduct a flow meter study at five locations to determine where the stormwater is entering the system.

The amount of the contract was $28,500, and work should be completed within the next two months.

Council President Chad Blake said the study will determine where the stormwater is entering the sanitary sewers so that repairs can be completed.

Council members said that during heavy rains last week, thousands of gallons of stormwater entered the sewer system.

"For every gallon we can eliminate, it increases the capacity of the sewage treatment plant," Blake said.

The council tabled until May a plan to expand the town's sanitary sewer system to allow for more residential development in the community.

OTHER BUSINESS

The council heard a presentation from Dan Marland with Maguire for repairs to the town's water tower.

Marland said the work would bring the water tower up to specifications following a recent inspection.

He said the company would do all the necessary repairs and paint the exterior of the tower.

The cost is $215,000, which would be paid over three years.

Marland said the company also has an annual maintenance plan that would cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

He said water would have to be removed from the tower before the exterior painting could be started.

Blake said the town wouldn't want to remove the water from the tower until the project upgrading the water lines is completed.

Marland said the work could be done in the second year of the contract with the town making payments in the first year.

The council gave an initial approval to an appropriation of $45,619 in American Rescue Plan funding for engineering work on several projects planned for 2024, including paving work.

The council will consider final passage at the May meeting.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.