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This page was last edited on
7/07/2008
Web Changes
This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site.
If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look
here first.
News:
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October,
2007:
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Wastewater Department:
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Advertising of bids for construction of
the new Wastewater Treatment Plant began September 25th.
The bids are scheduled to be opened on November 1st at
12
noon. |
|
Work has started on several sanitary
sewer projects funded through the State of Ohio Issue 1
program. The projects include: replacement of the sewer
in the vicinity of the Utility Office on Spring Street.,
two repairs on West Spring Street, and construction of a
new 15" relief sewer between the intersection of Spruce
and Oil streets and the Northeast Pump Station at the
end of Gordon Grove. A mechanical and electrical upgrade
at the Northeast Pump Station is
included. | | |
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September,
2007:
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Water Department:
|
Two water distribution projects have
been completed: replacement of a 4" water main on Oliver
St., between Webb and Buckeye, and replacement of a 4"
water main on Axe St., between Columbia and Cleveland.
We hope to complete two more projects yet this year: a
connection between Hillcrest Dr. and Keel Dr. (Canal
View Estates development) and a new connection under the
river and canal between Canal View Estates and River Rd.
| |
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Wastewater
Department:
|
The most recent cost estimate for
construction of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant is
$12.971 million, not including contingencies, which is
pretty close to what has previously been discussed. Our
consultant has done an excellent job staying within
their original estimates. |
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Design of the new Wastewater Treatment
Plant is progressing. "Permit to Install" plans
were submitted to Ohio EPA in May and our consultant is
currently addressing comments issued by the Agency.
Plans were submitted for Ohio Building Code approval in
August. Current plans are to bid and award construction
in November
2007. |
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USEPA has approved our application to
utilize the $500,000 Federal appropriation the City
received in fiscal year 2005. We will soon begin to
be reimbursed for the City's allowable share of design
costs. |
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We intend to submit an application to
Ohio EPA for a loan through their Water Pollution
Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) program by October 1, 2007,
for financing of the new treatment
plant. | |
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Family Aquatic
Center:
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The Family Aquatic Center last day of
operation was September 3rd (Labor
Day). |
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Attendance was very good throughout the
season. We believe a new daily record was set June 7th
when attendance totaled 1,101. | | |
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May,
2007:
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Water Department:
|
The project to repaint the exterior of
the McKinley Rd. water tower has been completed.
The tower was returned to service May 14th. |
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The 4" water main on Oliver St. between
Webb and Buckeye streets has been replaced with a 6"
plastic
main. | |
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Wastewater
Department:
|
Design of the new Wastewater Treatment
Plant is progressing. We are on schedule to submit
"Permit to Install" plans to Ohio EPA in June of this
year. |
|
Ohio EPA completed their review of our
application to utilize the $500,000 Federal
appropriation the City received in fiscal year 2005 and
forwarded it to USEPA. The money will be used to
reimburse the City for new treatment plant design costs.
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The second phase of the sewer rate
increase approved by City Council in 2006 became
effective April 1, 2007. This phase was a 20%
increase. | |
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Family Aquatic
Center:
|
The Family Aquatic Center is scheduled
to open Saturday, May 26th (Memorial Day weekend). |
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All rates will remain unchanged from
last
year. | | |
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January,
2007:
|
Water Department:
|
Significant efforts were directed
toward the City wells during the second half of
2006. Well #5 was repaired after a severe
vibration damaged the pump. Well #4 was
rehabilitated and returned to service after several
years of no use. An application for a site waiver
was submitted to Ohio EPA that, if granted, will permit
repairs to #2 well. The casing in this well has
deteriorated and requires that a liner be installed. |
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A contract to repaint the exterior of
the McKinley Rd. water tower has been awarded to
Scrub-A-Home, the same company who painted the Main St.
tower in 2004. Work is scheduled to be completed
by May 25,
2007. |
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Planning for water main projects
scheduled to be completed in 2007 are being
finalized. Bigger projects include: replacing the
main on Oliver St. between Webb and Buckeye streets,
replacing the main on Axe St. between Columbia and Oil
streets, and installing a large main loop under the
canal and river on the north side of the City. | |
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Wastewater
Department:
|
Design of the new Wastewater Treatment
Plant is progressing. We hope to complete design
and begin construction yet this
year. |
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Ohio EPA has placed the City on its
"Project Priority Intend to Fund" list for the 2007
Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) program, which
provides low-interest (currently 3.5%) financing for
wastewater improvements and has other advantages over
more conventional financing. |
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One major sanitary sewer project is
scheduled for 2007, paid for through a State of Ohio
Issue 1 Grant. One portion of the project will
address flow capacities in the northwest portion of the
City through installation of a new sewer main between
Spruce St. and the Northeast pump station at the end of
Gordon Gr. The pump station will receive an
electrical and mechanical upgrade at the same
time. Other potions of the project include
relocating the sanitary sewer in the vicinity of the
Utility Office to facilitate replacement of the parking
deck and lining two large sewers (one on West Spring
St., the other north of Holly St.). | | |
|
July,
2006:
|
Water Department:
|
Ohio EPA recently did a compliance
survey of our chemical laboratory to certify that
analysts follow protocol while testing our drinking
water. As a result of the survey, analysts and the
laboratory received Ohio EPA certification for chemical
analysis through June 2009. |
|
City crews are currently extending
water services into the Harmon's Landing area.
Residents in the area petitioned for the extension
several years ago. | |
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Wastewater
Department:
|
Our SECAP study, which will guide
sanitary sewer system improvements over the next several
years, was accepted by Ohio EPA on March 28, 2006. |
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The City's wastewater consultant has
started design of the new Wastewater Treatment
Plant. Design is expected to last about one
year. Estimated design costs are $850,000.
Of that amount, $481,100 can be reimbursed to the City
through the 2005 fiscal year Federal appropriation we
received. The plant will be constructed on
City-owned-land adjacent to the existing one. | |
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Family Aquatic
Center:
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Attendance has been high when the
weather cooperates. |
| |
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March,
2006:
|
Water Department:
|
City crews are currently cleaning
several treatment basins at the water treatment plant. |
|
We are preparing to have a contractor
inspect #2 well. This will involve removing the
pump and an underwater inspection of the casing pipe and
the well bore using a small video
camera. |
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Plans for water main work for the 2006
year are being finalized. | |
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Wastewater
Department:
|
St. Marys City Council recently enacted
legislation that raises sewer rates 65 percent over
three years (25% effective April 1, 2006, 20% effective
April 1, 2007, and 20% effective April 1, 2008).
Consumers will see the increases in their May bills each
year. |
|
Our SECAP study, which will guide
sanitary sewer system improvements, was submitted to
Ohio EPA on March 7, 2006. | |
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Family Aquatic
Center:
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We will soon begin preparing the
facility for the 2006 season. All rates will
remain the same as last year. | | |
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January, 2006:
|
Water Department:
|
The McKinley Rd. water tower inspection
report was received from our consultant January
6th. Overall, the tower is in excellent
condition. The study states that the paint on the
tower is twelve years old and near the end of its useful
life, and recommends repainting both the exterior
($167,000 estimated cost) and interior ($145,000
estimated cost) surfaces. We plan to do the
exterior in 2006 and the interior in
2007. |
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City crews are currently rebuilding two
of the sand filters at the water treatment plant.
The filters remove very fine particles from our drinking
water and are the last stage in the treatment process. | |
|
Wastewater
Department:
|
The contractor for the sanitary sewer
replacement project on Front St. has completed all work
except final pavement repairs, which will be addressed
this
Spring. |
|
Work progresses on the three studies
currently being done by our wastewater consultant.
The treatment plant facilities study was completed in
October 2005. It recommends the construction of a
new wastewater treatment plant, at an estimated cost of
$11.8 million. Design of the new plant will begin
in 2006. The sewer rate study is almost
complete. City Council will address legislation to
raise rates early in 2006. The SECAP study, which
will guide sanitary sewer system improvements, is also
progressing. It must be submitted to Ohio EPA by
March 8,
2006. | | |
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