Q.

I understand that sewers are going to be installed in my area. Am I included?

A.

To correctly answer your question, we need to know exactly where your property is located. However, the map below, with the new public sewer shown as currently planned, may help answer your question. If still in doubt, call one of the sewer district Trustees listed on the Board of Trustees page.

Q.

How much of a connection fee will I have to pay for the sewer?

A.

The Sewer District Board of Trustees do not anticipate a fee for the initial installation of the sewer. The property owner will assume responsibility for three (3) parts of the connection. They are:
* provide a 15 amp, 240 volt, circuit and a 15 amp, 120 volt, circuit from the owners power box to the on-site grinder pump control panel.
* Extend the building drain pipe from the house to the new service connection.
* Empty the old septic tank and fill the tank with a suitable material.

Q.

Must I connect to the sewer and if so, why?

A.

Yes, revenue bonds will be sold to repay the funds that are being loaned for the Big Monon Bay Area Sewer Project. The sale of the bonds and the warranty of repayment is dependent upon two (2) important elements, mandatory connection to the public sewer when your property line is within three hundred feet (300') of the new public sewer, and the establishment of monthly user rate fees that provide sufficient revenue to repay the loan over a forty (40) year period, and that provide the necessary funds for the operation, maintenance and the replacement fund of the sewer district.

Q.

I have a relatively new septic system that is trouble free. Can I wait and connect to the new sewer when my septic system fails?

A.

No. As previously stated, where your property line is within three hundred feet (300') of the new public sewer, the property owner is required to connect to the public sewer when so informed of its availability.

Q.

My septic tank is only two (2) years old. Why replace it? Why not reuse it?

A.

A tightly sealed grinder pump sewer collection system is being used to insure the improvement of the water quality in your area. Because the grinder pump comes complete with a much smaller tank, the reuse of the existing septic tank will not be necessary.

Q.

How often must I have the new tank pumped?

A.

The grinder pump tank requires no other pumping beyond that which the grinder pump does periodically when the effluent volume activates the pump. All maintenance on the grinder pump collection system will be done by the sewer district. The property owner is responsible for the continuous provision of electric service to the pump and for adhering to the basic regulations as to what can and cannot be put into the sewer. Also, when damage to the system is caused by the actions of a private individual, the cost of repair may accrue to the property owner.

Q.

I hear there will be a monthly charge for sewers. How much?

A.

Yes, there will be a monthly user rate fee.  Contractor bids for the installation of the grinder pump collection system and the Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) mechanical treatment plant have been received and analyzed, and a public rate hearing was held on December 14, 1999.  A Sewer Rate Ordinance, No. 99-03, was heard and adopted by the Board of Trustees, providing for a monthly user rate fee of $45.80 for all class I users in the Big Monon Bay area.

Q.

We use our summer home for only three or four months a year. Will we be required to pay a user rate fee every month?

A.

Yes, the public sewer must be built and sized to handle 100% of the wastewater from the properties connected to the system, as if they were occupied 365 days a year. The capital cost, as well as the operation, maintenance and replacement cost is shared equally and the monthly user rate fee is established equally among the property owners connected to the sewer.

Q.

Installing this new Grinder Pump Collection System will tear up my yard. Who is responsible for repairing the damage?

A.

The contractor doing the Grinder Pump Collection System installation is responsible for restoring the areas of your yard disturbed during construction. The plans and specification of the project define the restoration and provide for grading and seeding to original condition. Hard surface material will be replaced with like material.

Q.

With the new treatment facility, does the wastewater pond? If so, does it give off a bad odor?

A.

No, the Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment facility treats and cleans the wastewater to State of Indiana permit standards and discharges the effluent to a point source. There should not be an unpleasant odor coming from the treatment facility.

Q.

Are there any agencies that can assit in paying the cost for connecting to the new public sewer?

A.

Yes, there are. The Rural Development Agency has grant and loan programs to assist people with construction costs related to connection to a new public sewer. Age and gross income are two important factors. For more information, and an application, contact the Lafayette, Indiana office at 765-448-4541. Your township Trustee may be able to provide some assistance also.

Q.

When will the public sewers in the Big Monon Bay Area be installed and working?

A.

Our current projection has the sewers in and working by December, 2000. Check our on going Projects page for more details.

Q.

Can I hook my existing field tile to this new sewer system?

A.

No, the new S.B.R. wastewater treatment plant and the grinder pump collection system are intended to be used for the processing and cleansing of residential, commercial and industrial wastewater. Water from gutters, sump pumps, field tile, and other ground water or drainage sources is prohibited (Sewer Use Ordinance 8.1.13).

Q.

Why is it necessary for me to pay a portion of the monthly payment during construction when I am getting no service in return?

A.

A partial monthly billing will cover the cost of the interest payment on the construction loan, and for the employment of a class 2 certified operator to manage and oversee the District's business during construction.  Paying this cost upfront precludes the need to repay this expense over the life of the 40 year loan.
(Thanks to T.L. for his e-mail question).

Q.

The original sewer plan was for wastewater only and not solid waste.  Does this new plan now also handle the solid waste?

A.

Yes, the grinder pump collection system is designed to convert the wastewater solids to a slurry that can and will be transported to the treatment plant under pressure.  This is a departure from the original system that was considered.

(Thanks to G.W. for his e-mail question).