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What do we need to do to improve our sewer and stormwater system?
Why do we have combined sewage spilling into our streams?
Why were our sewers built this way?
What are the harmful effects of combined sewage overflows?
How can we reduce raw sewage overflows to the Wabash River?
How much will my sewer rates increase?
Will these be the last rate increases needed to pay for the city's plan?
How do Terre Haute sewer rates compare to other cities' sewer rates?
What benefits will we receive for our money?
Will the long-term solution completely eliminate all combined sewage?
I don't fish or swim in the Wabash River. How does this rate increase benefit me?
Why are we trying to make the Wabash River swimmable?
How will these projects benefit local businesses?
Will these rates hurt our competitiveness as a city?
What is happening with other cities on the Wabash River who have sewage overflows?
How can I help improve water quality?
Q. What do we need to do to improve our sewer and stormwater system?
A. For the combined sewer system and sewer overflow projects, we need millions of dollars in capital revenue over the next ten years. Our capital needs include:
Q. Why do we have combined sewage spilling into our streams?
A. Terre Haute’s sewer system is old and cannot handle the amounts of stormwater that flow through it during storm events. This system was built over 100 years ago, before wastewater treatment plants existed. It was common in many U.S. cities, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, to connect their sanitary lines to the existing storm sewers. As a result, now any time we get as much as a quarter inch of rain, combined sewage flows into the Wabash River through our combined sewer overflows (CSO). If CSO’s didn’t exist, combined sewage would back up into people’s basements and streets.
Q. Why were our sewers built this way?
A. In the late 1800’s, Terre Haute built a sewer system to carry rainwater and melting snow away from homes, businesses, and streets. When indoor plumbing came later, people hooked their sewage lines to the storm sewers, combining stormwater and sewage in one pipe.
Q. What are the harmful effects of combined sewage overflows?
A. Combined raw sewage in our streams is a health hazard due to increased levels of bacteria, including E. coli, present in the river. It also smells and looks disgusting, hurts our environment, and harms the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Q. How can we reduce combined sewage overflows to the Wabash River?
A. The city has a long-term plan to reduce sewer overflows over the next ten years. It will:
Q. How much will my sewer rates increase?
A. Your sanitary sewer rate increase will continue to be phased in over the next few years. The average homeowner using 5,000 gallons per month will see his monthly bill increase from $16.53 today to $21.61 in the future. Although rate increases are required periodically to cover the costs of maintenance and system upgrades and also inflation, your sewer rates will not be increased more than is necessary to cover these costs.
Q. Will these be the last rate increases needed to pay for the city’s plan?
A. No. Regular sewer rate increases will be required to be able to pay for the city’s improvements. However, it is difficult to predict long-term sewer rates due to changes in regulations and high inflation rates in the construction industry.
Q. How do Terre Haute sewer rates compare to other cities’ sewer rates?
A. As you can see by the graph shown below, Terre Haute rates are lower than most other Indiana cities.
Q. What benefits will we receive for our money?
A. The Wabash River will be a cleaner, safer place for residents of Terre Haute and aquatic life in the river, especially around Fairbanks Park where many community events take place. These improvements will also help prevent sinkholes in roads due to collapsed sewers, prevent backups into basements and streets, and allow for better flow to the wastewater treatment plant.
Q. Will the long-term solution completely eliminate all combined sewage overflows?
A. No. Once the long-term plan has been completed, most of the combined sewage overflows will be contained. Only the largest storm events will cause overflows, and these will occur when the river is not safe for recreation and people are not likely to be exposed to combined sewage. Terre Haute’s goal is to develop an affordable plan that will do the most to improve water quality in the Wabash River and protect the public’s health.
These improvements will greatly reduce our impact on the river, and as other communities follow, the condition of the Wabash River will improve even more.
Q. I don’t fish or swim in the Wabash River. How does this rate increase benefit me?
A. In addition to our long-term plan to reduce sewer overflows, we must upgrade our treatment plant and rehabilitate any older sewers which may be causing problems within the city, like the Fourth Street sewer. These improvements will fix many problems the city currently faces: sinkholes, ponding water, and unpleasant odors being a few.
Q. Why are we trying to make the Wabash River swimmable? No one swims in the river.
A. Our goal is not to make the Wabash River swimmable 100 percent of the time. A few large storms will cause overflows even after the new facilities are built. Our plan is the most cost-effective way to meet federal requirements and at the same time protect public health.
Q. How will these projects benefit local businesses?
A. Whenever possible, locally owned and operated businesses will participate in the work. When local businesses benefit, other local companies that serve those businesses and their employees will also benefit. This will allow Terre Haute to continue to grow and attract new business opportunities.
Additionally, a healthy infrastructure attracts new businesses and residents, causing the city to grow and expand. With the new improvements, the wastewater treatment facility will also be equipped to handle greater flows, leaving room for the city to grow.
Q. Will these rates hurt our competitiveness as a city?
A. No. Terre Haute’s sewer rates are lower than many Indiana cities of comparable size.
Q. What is happening with other cities on the Wabash River who have sewage overflows?
A. Every city that outlets their combined sewage into the river is either working now, or will be working to reduce or eliminate their CSO’s. As more communities begin to implement their long-term control plans, the condition of the Wabash River will greatly improve.
Q. How can I help improve water quality?
A. Improving our environment and our neighborhoods is a large job, and everyone can help. Some things you can do to help:
