Lake County's septic-to-sewer transition underway in Calumet Township
The long-awaited installation of sanitary sewer pipes in unincorporated Calumet Township is underway.
Dignitaries broke ground Friday, just north of the Cady Marsh Ditch and west of Cleveland Street, to begin the initial component of Lake County's septic tank elimination project.
Standing in front of a large yellow excavator, Lake County Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond, praised the federal, state and local partnerships that made possible the septic-to-sewer project that's been on the drawing board since at least 2017.
"There's one thing you need absolutely in order to construct a project like this, and that is money," Repay said.
Repay specifically thanked Northwest Indiana Congressman Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, Democratic President Joe Biden and the members of Congress who supported the 2021 American Rescue Plan that provided funding to local communities across the country to improve public health following the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I know there's still a lot of work ahead. But there was a heck of a lot of work to get us here today," Repay said.
The bulk of the expense for the estimated $90 million water quality improvement project is set to be covered using $60 million of the county's American Rescue Plan funds, along with a $5 million state grant and county resources.
The septic-to-sewer project is centered on the unincorporated area southwest of Gary bounded by Ridge Road on the north, Main Street on the south, Colfax Street on the west, and Cleveland Street (Ind. 55) on the east.
Records show that area has recorded at least 324 septic system complaints since 1991, and elevated levels of E. coli have been found in the Cady Marsh Ditch that runs just north of 45th Street.
Mrvan said transitioning nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in that area from potentially unreliable septic systems to sanitary sewer pipes will promote health, safety, and cleaner streams and water throughout the Region.
"Sewers, these projects, aren't sexy. They don't sizzle. But they have to be done," Mrvan said. "We are working together in a collaborative effort to make sure not only are we doing this environmentally, but that we are contributing to the prosperity of this community and the health and welfare of it."
The groundbreaking ceremony also was attended by Lake County Commissioner Kyle Allen Sr., D-Gary; Lake County Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr.; Louise Neese, a local resident; and representatives from Grimmer Construction of Highland, which won the $37 million contract to construct the first phase of the project.
Subsequent phases include installing the basin, force main, interceptor and lift station that ultimately will connect the Calumet Township sewer pipes to the Gary Sanitary District for safe discharge.
Lake County also is using American Rescue Plan funds to support septic-to-sewer transitions in several Center Township subdivisions located near Crown Point.