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Connorville officials warn major repairs may be needed after Third Street sewer collapse
Summary
Director Wilson told the Board of Public Works and Safety that a collapsed sewer on Third Street left manholes backed up, prevented camera inspection and narrowed options to either a targeted point repair plus slip-lining or an extensive excavation that would be costlier and disruptive. A plan meeting was scheduled.
Connorville’s utilities director told the Board of Public Works and Safety on June 15 that a collapsed sewer on Third Street has left the city weighing costly repair options.
"We couldn't get a camera through," Director Wilson said, describing an effort to assess the pipe after crews discovered two backed-up manholes, one with about four feet of sewage. Contractors briefly opened the system over a weekend and some material flushed out, but inspection failed and officials said the line remains unstable.
Wilson said the sewer runs roughly 17 feet deep in places and the adjacent water main is about 4 feet away, complicating excavation. The pipe appears to be old clay tile and contains gravel and other material that has washed into the line. He said crews had hoped to use a slip-lining technique — inserting and curing a new liner inside the existing pipe — but camera access was not possible, leaving the city to consider either a targeted point repair followed by slip-lining or, in the worst case, a full excavation and replacement.
A point repair plus slip-lining is the preferred, more cost-efficient option, Wilson told the board. "That would be our best, cost-efficient option. And then the worst case option is that we do a full-on excavation," he said, adding that excavation would likely require relocating the water main and could prompt sinkholes and broader erosion issues.
Wilson said the problem appears long-standing; some sewer sections "have been there since the 20s," though he said he is not certain of exact dates. He warned that the combination of deep sewer, aging materials and pit-run ground could make trenching unstable and that contractors were working with the city to limit ratepayer costs.
The board was told Third Street remains closed from Beach to Summit with a soft closure farther out; officials are coordinating with the state and INDOT on traffic and maintenance access. Wilson said the city would hold a follow-up meeting the next morning to finalize options and will post updates on social media.
Next steps: city staff and contractors will meet to map repairs and cost estimates; no final contract or funding decision was made on June 15.
