Authority approves engineering task order for Maryville Heights sewer lining, outlines lateral and monitoring program

The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority approved an engineering task order to advance a re-lining project in Maryville Heights and Brookview intended to reduce infiltration and inflow into the sewer system. The motion to approve the task order for engineering and planning, moved and seconded by board members, passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Agency staff told the board that monitoring after a heavy rain event indicated substantially higher flows—initial data suggested roughly an order-of-magnitude increase in some lines—prompting the recommendation to reline problematic mains and to seek reimbursement from the data-center developer where applicable. Staff recommended the task order in the amount of $177,135 for design and project planning work.

Beyond the specific task order, staff described a coordinated strategy to identify and reduce infiltration/inflow: a lateral-repair (lateral) program with potential incentives for property owners, expansion of permanent flow monitoring citywide to quantify I&I sources, targeted smoke and pump testing, and a proposed time-and-materials maintenance contract for emergency spot repairs. Staff emphasized that some costs would come from remaining State Revolving Fund (SRF) resources and that reimbursement agreements with the developer (identified as part of a data-center term sheet) will be used where possible.

Board members asked for archival project records related to previous stormwater and sewer work (North Joliet area) to confirm design standards and liability limits, and staff agreed to provide those records and return with additional detail.

Next steps: staff will finalize the task order scope, proceed with the engineering work, return monitoring results and proposed lateral-incentive details to the board, and coordinate SRF and reimbursement arrangements.