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Crews clear five-day Manteno sewer blockage; city to probe industrial grease contributions
Summary
Crews worked five days to clear a roughly 3,000-foot blockage on a force main under Silver Creek in Manteno caused by large accumulations of fats, oils and grease; the city hauled waste to a regional plant and expects significant costs as it investigates which businesses contributed and whether fines or fees apply under the local FOG ordinance.
Crews for the Environmental Services Utility worked for five days to clear a severe blockage in the Manteno force main, the city said Monday, and officials said they will investigate nearby industries for possible responsibility. The blockage, which staff said ran from a gravity manhole at Acme under Silver Creek near North Street for roughly 3,000 feet, was cleared after crews connected hoses and used a Vactor truck to push through the obstruction. City staff and outside contractors removed large deposits described by officials as roughly “basketball to volleyball” size. The blockage interrupted flow and required third-party contractors to haul waste from the sewer line to the Carmel plant, city officials said. Mayor Curtis said the financial cost is not yet known but is expected to be “very, very large.” He told crews, “Don't worry about the finances. Get it up and running and active and working.” Why it matters: sustained blockages can damage sewer infrastructure, raise the risk of backups and increase operating costs that the utility must absorb or recover. City officials said the deposits are consistent with fats, oils and grease (FOG) and that several local food-related industries likely contributed to varying degrees. DPW and utility staff said the immediate priority was restoring flow and stabilizing the line; staff are now investigating which businesses contributed and what recourse the city has. The board noted a recent change to the city’s FOG ordinance that increased penalties and fees for noncompliant dischargers; officials said that change will be among the enforcement tools available if investigators can verify specific sources. DPW Superintendent Hassick described the operational challenge of locating and clearing a blockage on a force main and said crews ultimately “finally blow through that blockage” using hoses and the Vactor. Mayor Curtis and other speakers praised operations staff, particularly Zach, for working long hours in high heat to reestablish service. Officials said they will meet with the suspected businesses once staff can more precisely identify contributors. The city emphasized it needs evidence tying waste to specific dischargers before pursuing billing or penalties. The timeline for any enforcement action was not set; cost estimates for cleanup and contractor work remain pending. Ending: City staff said they will continue investigative sampling and follow-up meetings with industrial customers and will report back to the Environmental Services Utility board as those steps progress.
