After years of planning and hard work, Arcadia is getting major upgrades to its waterworks and sewage systems. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Wednesday to kick off the project.
This multi-division project will correct deficiencies at the wastewater treatment plant and in both the sanitary sewer and stormwater collection systems, as well as the water distribution system.
According to Town Council President Rich Versprille, the sewage plant was updated between 1990 and 1992, and had a life expectancy of 25 years. The water plant was last updated in 1975 and 1976.
“We’ve put a lot of band aids, and we’ve tried to make changes, but we could never get over that hump,” Versprille said. “It takes money to get there. Today, we’ve been blessed with receiving that money.”
The combined total cost of the project is approximately $15 million, a staggering figure for a town the size of Arcadia.
However, due to the leadership of Clerk Treasurer Jennifer Pickett and her office, Town Council members Rich Versprille, Doug Grishaw, and Amanda Engle, as well as County Commissioners Mark Heirbrandt, Christine Altman, and Steve Dillinger, over $10.5 million of the total cost is covered by grants – which includes over $7 million from the Indiana Finance Authority – in addition to a $2 million zero-interest loan.
The grant money means residents will not face rate increases as high as they would have been if the town had to fund the improvements on its own.
The full list of funding sources for these projects include:
- Indiana Finance Authority State Revolving Fund
- Indiana Finance Authority State Water Infrastructure Fund
- Indiana Finance Authority Lead Service Line Fund
- Hamilton County American Rescue Plan Act
- Town of Arcadia American Rescue Plan Act
- Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
“This could not have been done had it not been for the generosity of the Indiana Finance Authority, the State Revolving Loan Fund, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and the Hamilton County Commissioners,” Versprille said.
The project includes upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, expansion and rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer system, and separation of the cross-connected storm and sanitary sewer system. This will correct 20 years of system deficiencies, bringing the wastewater utility into compliance with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management regulations and will open the door to the town’s future growth while protecting human health and the environment.
The project will also involve upgrades to the water treatment plant and the well houses, upgrades and expansion of water mains, and installation of a new 200,000-gallon elevated storage tank. The town will benefit increased fire protection and the removal of lead-contaminated service lines.
“Jennifer Picket – she drove this project,” Commissioner Heirbrandt said. “I want to thank her for doing her part. This is huge for Arcadia and took over two and a half years to get this done. It’s a truly transformational project.”
The Town of Arcadia’s partners in this project include Commonwealth Engineers, Inc.; Mendenhall & Associates, LLC, who served as the grant administrator; Steven K. Brock, who served as financial advisor; and Conexco, Inc., Ottenweller Contracting, Performance Pipelining, Inc., Phoenix Fabricators & Erectors, Thieneman Construction, and Watson Excavating, Inc., who all served as prime contractors.
“These major investments in water and wastewater open the growth for prosperity in this lovely community,” said Tina Mendenhall of Mendenhall & Associates.
Learn more about the town by visiting ArcadiaIndiana.org.