People react to sewage reduction plan

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - People asked a number of different questions. But mostly they wanted to know how it will affect the average person in Fort Wayne.

Two years ago, Former Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard worked out an agreement with the EPA to cutback on sewage overflows. The 18 year, $240 million project will ultimately clean up Fort Wayne's three rivers.

"It's been long forgotten it's been ignored for the most part it's also because we have a mandate from the federal government that we are required to do this, we don't have a choice," said Director of City Utilities Kumar Menon.

Right now the city sewer system is doing double the work. Stormwater and sewage are sent to the treatment center in the same pipe. So when there's a rainstorm or a snowstorm, the sewers and the treatment center are overloaded. In that case, the sewers are designed to overflow into the rivers.

"We are currently discharging into our rivers at a rate of about 70 times a year raw sewage," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry.

Although it's filtered, the sewage does affect some of the water we drink and use for recreation. But, why does this have to be done now? The City said the federal government is forcing them to finish it by 2025. Also the City said the current infrastructure could be putting the public at risk.

"It's similar to owning a house or if you don't continue to make improvements to your house or maitenance work to the house it's going to collapse on you," said Menon.

It is the largest investment of its kind in Fort Wayne history. So how will this benefit the average person?
The City said it will clean up the water for fish, wildlife, and people, eliminate some of the floating trash, and improve the smell.

And this 18 year project will have another benefit. It will create a number of construction, surveying, and engineering jobs.

"We are going to have some major investments and major opportunities for a number of companies to help us invest in our future," said Henry.

To pay for the project utility rates will be raised in the coming years. The City is also looking for other ways to help pay for the project.

Fort Wayne is not alone. There are over 700 communities in the United States with the same problem. And, another 100 in Indiana alone.