By CHET BAUMGARTNER
Where does the rain go? The Wells County Regional Sewer District wants to know.
Lewis Brown, the district superintendent, told board members Thursday that inflow from Liberty Center’s and Murray’s sewer lines quadrupled after the January rain falls, with pumps that normally run between about 18 to 27 minutes running 140 minutes instead.
And all that additional water behind that additional time went to Bluffton for treatment — even though rain water shouldn’t go there.
“We’re going to have to pay for it,” Brown said.
Because of contractors’ pressure tests, Brown said he knows the excess flow isn’t due to the sewer infrastructure. Instead, he said rogue residential sump pumps are pumping water where they shouldn’t.
And he said he hopes to more precisely pinpoint those pumps after purchasing a tablet that can process data from the grinders at each residence connected to the sewer.
District members authorized Brown to purchase the tablet, any apps, and a case at a cost not exceeding $1,800.
Wells County Engineer Nate Rumschlag said the county could also distribute mailers to residents in the district, alerting them of possible signs that their sump pumps are incorrectly diverting water, as well as contact information to alert county officials.
And if they can’t find these pumps in any other way, Brown can go door to door, but he hopes he doesn’t need to.
Once they identify the locations of the pumps, they can determine the best way to resolve the issue.
In other business, district members Leon Berning, Bruce Stinson, Jon Oman and Dr. Richard Jackson (Andy Stoller was absent):
• Learned from Brown that the start date for work to begin connecting Kingsland to the district is now estimated to be late June, and not April, while directional boring beneath the rail lines could start even later.
• Approved several reimbursements and expenditures.
• Received a progress report on the work in Craigville. Brown said he hopes to start installing grinders within a few weeks, though Brown is concerned about possible costs related to “tearing up yards” due to the wet winter.
• Discussed using different software for its billing and financial needs. The new software wouldn’t necessarily save money, members said, but would give the district easier access to financial information.
• Discussed possible actions to take for residents in Liberty Center and Murray that haven’t connected. Brown said most have.
• Approved rescheduling the Monday, Aug. 14, meeting to another date to accommodate the Wells County Council’s budgeting session. Members did not decide a date Thursday.
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