La Porte board backs letter supporting temporary 33-gpm sewer capacity for Shady Grove mobile home park

The La Porte City Board of Public Works and Safety voted Dec. 16 to approve a staff letter supporting 33 gallons per minute (gpm) of sewer capacity for the Shady Grove mobile home park so the owner can proceed with permitting through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The motion passed after discussion about the line27s limits and next steps to increase flow.

Attorney for the owner said his client had invested more than $300,000 in sewer improvements before the city acquired related infrastructure and that the system was originally designed for about 82 gpm. "We need you to at least consent to this 33 gallons per minute so my client can continue to proceed with IDEM to get the permit," the attorney said. City wastewater staff confirmed 33 gpm is "not what they requested, but it's what we can provide" in the near term while the city evaluates fixes.

Board members and staff described the key constraint as an unexpectedly small three-inch force main in the area and discussed two near-term options: a maintenance technique called "pigging" that may remove restrictions, and a longer-term plan involving a larger force main and an upgraded lift station. Jerry Jackson, wastewater superintendent, told the board staff made modifications at the Springville Lift Station that raised available flow enough to support the 33-gpm letter.

The board approved the letter on the condition that all mobile homes served be connected to the city wastewater system. Officials said the 33-gpm commitment should allow the owner to restart the IDEM permitting process and avoid further delays while engineering work continues to identify permanent upgrades and costs.

The board did not adopt a specific construction plan or funding authorization for a new force main; members asked staff to pursue technical options and to return with cost estimates and a schedule.