EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Evansville's Water and Sewer Department has submitted it's overflow control plan to the EPA.
The government mandated project, called Renew Evansville, will cost more than $200 million over the next 20 years, and we're told that means higher sewer bills.
Rates could begin going up as soon as next year.
Evansville is one of about 800 cities in the US that have this problem of combined waste and storm water sewer systems, and the EPA isn't giving the city any choice, but to make these costly upgrades.
A federal mandate to keep Evansville's sewage overflows from nearby waterways could cost consumers $227 million dollars over the next two decades.
The draft plan, submitted to the EPA Tuesday, calls for sewer rates to increase 10% per year in the project's first six years, which could raise consumers' bills by more than $25, to more than $58 per month.
"We think it's going to be a strain on our consumers but we're operating under a federal mandate," Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Director Allen Mounts said.
Mounts says about 3.5 billion gallons of sewage overflow ends up in the Ohio and Pigeon Creek each year.
"People use the Ohio River. You see boaters out there during the summer, you see people canoeing on pigeon creek, so it is a health concern," Mounts said.
The plan's highest priority and largest cost is Bee Slough, at about $130 million.
The decision is now in the EPA's hands. It can reject or request changes to the city's plan, which could result in even higher rates.
"It's very likely that the federal government will come back and say, we think the community can afford more," noted Mounts.
The city and the EPA must come to an agreement by November 30th.
The city will hold public meetings to get input beginning in October.
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The city and the EPA must come to an agreement by November 30th.
