Earth Day 2003: Norwood Regional Water and Sewer District, Indiana

The Norwood area has 165 single-family homes, a 65-unit apartment complex, 95-bed nursing home and a golf course. It has an existing wastewater collection and treatment system constructed in the early 1970's consisting of a clay pipe gravity collection system and a 110,000 gallon per day extended aeration treatment facility with chlorine disinfection. Effluent from the treatment facility flows into Clear Creek, which flows into the Wabash River.

Yakes Subdivision has 68 single-family homes. These homes are on private wells and septic systems with absorption fields. From field test and analyses performed by the Huntington County Dept. of Health it was found that the wells in Yakes Subdivision are being contaminated. High total coliform counts were being detected in many of the local wells due to the failure of the individual absorption fields.

Water Project:  The Norwood area's existing water supply, treatment and distribution system was constructed in the early 1970's. The system is in poor condition with serious health concerns. Water main breaks, low pressure, and extended loss of service is being experienced. As with the wastewater system the original developer of the Norwood Subdivision constructed the water system. A private utility, Estates Utilities, Inc. was established to maintain the system. The private utility was placed in receivership due to continue failures to address violations of its permit. The Norwood Regional Water and Sewer District (NRWSD) was formed to address these issues and to provide for the areas water and wastewater needs.

How Rural Development Helped:

Wastewater Project:  Rural Development will provide a $2,130,000 loan and a $1,742,000 grant to make the following improvements to the wastewater collection and treatment system for the district:

• Rehabilitation of the existing collection system to reduce or eliminate sources of clear water infiltration and inflow.
• Rehabilitation of the existing lift stations.
• Construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.
• Demolition of the existing wastewater treatment facility.
• Yates area is to have a gravity sewer system; effluent will be pumped to the wastewater treatment plant.

Water Project:  Rural Development will provide a $1,414,000 loan and a $1,156,900 grant to make the following improvements to the potable water system for the district:

• Construction of two new wells.
• Construction of a new water treatment facility.
• A new elevated water tank to provide reliable water pressure.
• Abandonment of the existing water distribution system.
• Construction of new 8-inch water mains and appurtenance for the service area and to loop long dead end mains and to improve pressure throughout the system.

The Results:

The improvements made through the water and wastewater projects will bring the Norwood Regional Waster and Sewer District into compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems permit, and will provide quality water and wastewater treatment to the residents and businesses of the area.

Pictured, above:  Dee Hinesley, President, Norwood RWSD; Dave Hacker, Vice President, Norwood RWSD; Kelly Barmann, Assistant to the State Director; Robert Deal, USDA Rural Development Loan Specialist.

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