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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.

  1. May 10, 2011: Family Aquatic Center page updated with 2011 prices, hours, and rules.
  2. April 4, 2011: Click here for a copy of the Water & Wastewater Department 2010 Annual Report.
  3. April 4, 2011: The 2010 Water Quality Reports posted on the Drinking Water Quality Page.
  4. April 4, 2011: Information on the Mercury Page was revised.
  5. April 23, 2010: Family Aquatic Center page updated with 2010 prices, hours, and rules.
  6. March 25, 2010: The 2009 Water Quality Reports posted on the Drinking Water Quality Page.
  7. March 22, 2010: Click here for a copy of the Water & Wastewater Department 2009 Annual Report.
  8. March 19, 2010: An improved, updated web site launched.

News

November 11, 2011:

  1. Water Department:
    1. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) monitoring requirements for 2011 has been completed.  Results show that the drinking water provided to citizens continues to meet all Federal and State standards.
  2. Wastewater Department:
    1. Work on the Phase 1 Southwest Pump Station Project (force main) is progressing. The project consists of installation of approximately 7,000 feet of 14 inch pipe between a new pump station near West School and the wastewater treatment plant. Substantial completion date is December 31, 2011.
    2. Contracts have been awarded to two companies for the Phase 2 Southwest Pump Station Project (construction of the pump station itself): Winelco for the general contract, and Buschur Electric for the electrical contract. Total bid price was $1,041,924 versus the estimate of $1,320,000. Substantial completion date is July 1, 2012.

July 25, 2011:

  1. Water Department:
    1. Water distribution system work related to the 2011 street program is drawing to a close. Extensive work on the system was completed on Hackney Street and on Indiana Avenue.
    2. Testing to comply with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements is heavy in 2011. Parameters already analyzed include: 15 inorganic chemicals, 3 pesticides/synthetic organic chemicals, 20 volatile organic chemicals, 2 radiological chemicals, and total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids (both byproducts of the disinfection process). Results are well below regulatory limits, with all but 3 being below detectable limits. Lead and copper (30 samples collected from homeowner taps) are left to analyze. SDWA monitoring requirements vary year-to-year, based on an Ohio EPA schedule.
  2. Wastewater Department:
    1. Sewer surcharging in the southwest portion of the City (between Spring and Jackson streets, west of Ash Street) is being addressed by a major project in 2011. The project consists of construction of a second pump station near West School that will intercept all flows from Auglaize County sewer systems around Grand Lake St. Marys and pump them directly to the wastewater treatment plant. The existing pump station will be converted to handle only those flows from within City limits, re-establishing the original design capacity of the station. The project was split into two phases:
      1. Phase 1 includes the piping between the new pump station and the treatment plant.  Shinn Brothers of Celina is scheduled to start Phase 1 the week of July 18th. All homeowners on streets involved in this project have been notified.
      2. Phase 2 will include construction of the pump station itself. Design of the station is being finalized at this time. We expect to bid the project in late August.

May 10, 2011:

  1. Family Aquatic Center:
    1. Scheduled opening date is Saturday, May 28th.
    2. Reduced operating hours will be in effect during the extended school year.
    3. Regular operating hours will begin Friday, June 10th.
    4. Click here for 2011 prices, hours, and rules.

December 15, 2010:

  1. Water Department:
    1. Water Plant laboratory analysts were re-certified by Ohio EPA for bacteriological testing in October. This is done every three years to ensure that proper methods and equipment are used. Three analysts received full approval to analyze bacteria samples.
    2. Testing to comply with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements was light in 2010, as Ohio EPA required that we test only for nitrate. The result was below detectable limits. SDWA monitoring requirements vary year-to-year, based on an Ohio EPA schedule.
    3. In November, City Council passed an ordinance that strengthens the City's cross-connection program, per an Ohio EPA recommendation. The cross-connection program serves to protect drinking water quality by preventing contamination of the public's water.
  2. Wastewater Department:
    1. The new Wastewater Treatment continues to meet expectations. Treatment has been very efficient. Increased treatment capacity resulted in not having to utilize the Equalization Basin for excess storm water during 2010, eliminating basin overflows on an annual basis for the first time since the basin was constructed in 1989.

August 20, 2010:

  1. Wastewater Department:
    1. The Auglaize County project replacing a section of 18 inch sanitary sewer main near West school has been completed.
    2. City crews have completed a small sanitary sewer extension on West High St., near West Elementary School. The project was done with the cooperation of the school system.
    3. The City's wastewater consultant is beginning design of a project that will address wet weather sanitary sewer surcharging in the southwest portion of the City. We plan to complete design this year, with construction beginning next spring. The project continues work to meet SECAP and Ohio EPA requirements related to wet weather flows.

June 30, 2010:

  1. Water Department:
    1. The City's Contractor has completed installing water mains in the Breezewood area. Homeowners can inquire about connecting to the City's water system by contacting the Engineering Dept. at 419-394-3303.
  2. Wastewater Department:
    1. Auglaize County's contractor has started replacing a section of 18 inch sanitary sewer main near West school. The section is the last one in a multi-year project to replace the entire trunk sewer between Villa Nova and the City's pump station located at West School.
    2. Two employees were recently honored for their contributions to the wastewater profession:
      1. Jeff Thompson, Treatment Operations Coordinator, was presented the Max Phillips Award by the Northwest Section of the Ohio Water Environment Association, for excellence in wastewater treatment operation.
      2. Dave Sprague, Supt. Water & Wastewater, was presented the J.W. Elms Award by the Ohio Water Environment Association. The state-wide award is presented annually to an individual in an administrative position, in recognition of outstanding leadership and support of the association and involvement in civic affairs.

May 6, 2010:

  1. Water Department:
    1. The City's Contractor is presently installing water mains in the Breezewood area.
    2. Jones & Henry Engineers is beginning a water rate study. The last study was completed in 1991 when rates were increased in three steps, the last increase effective fifteen years ago. We do not intend to increase rates during the present economic climate. We do, however, want to be prepared when an increase is determined necessary.
  2. Wastewater Department:
    1. Manhole and sanitary sewer replacements on Defiance Road have been completed.
    2. The sanitary sewer extension to serve the new Agape facility on East Spring Street has been completed.
    3. The new Shipman Road pump station, which serves the new High/Middle School site and surrounding area, has been placed into service following startup of the pumps, electrical equipment, and telemetry system.
  3. Family Aquatic Center:
    1. Scheduled opening date is Saturday, May 29th.
    2. Click here for 2010 prices, hours, and rules.

April 13, 2010:

  1. Major projects being addressed in 2010 include the following:
    1. Work on the water distribution system related to the street program, including extending a 12 inch water main 1,250 feet along McKinley Road east of the railroad tracks.
    2. Completion of the Breezewood Water Extension project, which involves installation of water mains in the Breezewood development on the south side of Grand Lake St. Marys using directional bore technology.
    3. Replacement of several manholes and a small section of sanitary sewer main on Defiance Road and installation of 1,250 feet of 10 inch sanitary sewers on McKinley Road east of the railroad tracks.
    4. A small sanitary sewer extension project to serve the new Agape facility on East Spring Street.
    5. Completion of the sanitary sewer extension project to serve the new High/Middle School site.
    6. Auglaize County will be replacing a section of 18 inch sanitary sewer main near West school. The section is the last one in a multi-year project to replace the entire trunk sewer between Villa Nova and the City's pump station located at West School. The sewer main carries wastewater from Villa Nova and Sandy Beach into the City for treatment. Homes in the West Oaks area also discharge into this sewer.

 

Last modified: 03/30/10