Huntertown council authorizes up to $25,000 to seek quotes for sewer inflow-and-infiltration investigation

The Huntertown Town Council authorized staff to seek quotes not to exceed $25,000 for initial investigations into inflow and infiltration (INI) in the town sewer system, following a presentation from an engineering representative with Engineering Resources.

The consultant said excess stormwater and illicit discharges can enter the collection system and reach lift stations, increasing the volume the town must pump and treat. "The reason that's a bad thing is because you're paying to pump the water that doesn't need to be treated and then you're paying to treat the water," the presenter said, explaining that the study will aim to identify where rainfall-driven flows and illegal connections occur.

Council members were told the work plan focuses first on targeted inspections in 2025: the Lima Plank, Woods Road, Byron Center and the Preserves at Carol Creek lift station service areas were cited as priority zones based on elevated lift-station run times and historical data. The presenter described standard investigative techniques including smoke testing (forcing smoke into lines to locate illicit inflow points) and manhole inventories to document visible defects.

The consultant said prior projects in older portions of town reduced INI in those neighborhoods and that results vary by location; "there's communities that have seen 30% impacts," the presenter said, while cautioning that measurable savings require monitoring plant flows and controlling for weather. Council members asked about federal or state requirements; the presenter said INI work is primarily a local maintenance and compliance activity tied to wastewater permit performance rather than a separate federal mandate.

The council approved a stepped approach rather than systemwide immediate repairs: initial quotes and smoke testing will identify problems, and follow-up remediation would be scoped separately. Staff said a $100,000 line item for INI exists in the sewer capital plan as an ongoing budget item; the $25,000 authorization is intended to fund initial investigations and quotes. The presenter noted some newer neighborhoods show fewer issues and inspections can be prioritized by data.

Next steps: staff will solicit quotes for smoke testing and inventory work and return with findings and recommended repairs or budget requests as needed. Per the motion, staff may proceed with quotes and initial contracting up to the authorized $25,000 threshold.