FeedsVan Buren trustees OK water and sewer projects
Van Buren Township Trustees approved several water and sewer department projects last week to improve sewer capacity and reduce flooding.
Board members unanimously approved a wet weather equalization basin project and the formation of a committee to put a fixed meter system in place.
The equalization basin and pump station, originally estimated to cost more than $16 million, will actually be less than anticipated. It will cost about $12 million, according to Patti Duha, director of the water and sewer department for the township.
“This is not money coming out of the general fund. It’s coming out of the existing water and sewer millage and a state revolving fund loan that will be paid back,” she said.
Township trustees approved the engineering and construction services for the wet weather basin last Tuesday. The engineering services will cost about $2 million out of the $12 million project total, while the construction services for the relief sewer and pump will be about $3 million and about $7 million for the equalization basin.
Start of the construction has not yet been determined, Duha said.
“There will be meetings before the end of the year. We’ll also be sending out letters to the area businesses and residents about the construction to inform them about when the meetings and construction will be,” she said.
The basin will be located at the north end of Lower Huron Metropark just west of Hannan Road and south of Walbash Road. When complete, the new township system will increase the current sewer capabilities and prevent flooding.
Officials also approved the formation of a committee to negotiate a fixed network automatic meter reading system with AMCO Metering Systems.
The project was started about a year ago, Duha said, and is less expensive than the previous system the township was using.
“It’s got a lot of tools good for both the customers and the system,” she said.
The fixed system will also reduce costs and lead-time, allow for more accurate meter readings and monitor and enforce water use restrictions. It can also be used to compare water consumption verse the Detroit data, according to Duha.
A long-term cost savings and revenue enhancement will come out of the new system, too.
“We’ve been working on this for well over a year and we hope to speed up billings and be more accurate,” said Trustee Walter Rochowiak. “I look forward to this program.”
