1. Brown County Regional Sewer District Public meeting June 19, 2018

2. Today’s Purpose
Share and Inform of Past and Present efforts
Update Everyone on Status of Current Project
Satisfy Financial Requirements for Project Funding
Gather Community Input

3. Background Information for Evaluation of Sewerage Collection and Treatment in the greater Bean Blossom and Helmsburg Areas

4. Initial Studies
R.W. Armstrong’s Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) dated January 2001
Began at request of the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District
Included Bean Blossom area with conveyance in a 6” force main to the existing HRSD treatment plant
Expansion Helmsburg to accept Woodland Lake areas

5. Initial Studies
Monarch Engineering (Rose Hulman University) in May 2003
Ladd Engineering, Inc. in 2003
Utilized information from both the R.W. Armstrong and Monarch Engineering reports
Ladd Engineering, Inc. updated in February 2009 to meet the requirements of the USDA RD funding agency

6. Why Today?

8. Escherichia coli – otherwise know as
E. coli
Coliform bacteria = organisms present in the waste of humans and animals
E. coli are pathogenic and can cause illness if ingested
Bacteria can enter the environment from failed septic systems
IDEM sets and enforces water quality standards for safe bacteria levels

10. Major Brown County Watersheds

11. Bean Blossom Creek Watershed
Previous Studies by Malcolm Pirnie, 2002
Hoosier Environmental Council, 2008
Hoosier Riverwatch Stream Sampling over 15 years

12. Bean Blossom Creek Watershed
Feeds Lake Lemon and beyond
Lake Lemon Watershed Management Plan by Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., January 2002
Watershed Management Plan for Restoration and Protection of Bean Blossom Creek and Lake Lemon
by the Hoosier Environmental Council, April 2008

13. Environmental Reports:
“Failing septic systems…are believed to be sources of isolated bacterial contamination because of older on-site septic systems and poorly suitable soils for on-site septic systems.”
Lake Lemon Watershed Management Plan,
Malcolm Pirnie, 2002

14. A Call to Action
Environmental concerns:
Bean Blossom Creek exceeds state of Indiana Department of Environmental Management standards for Safe Recreational Use (Category 4A) along most of the stream reaches due to E.coli contamination:
“High E. coli levels are the primary reason that the IDEM has included the Bean Blossom Creek on the Indiana 303 (d) list of impaired waters.”
Hoosier Environmental Council, 2008

15. Findings
The Brown County Health Department reports:
Numerous problems over the last 20 years
Many homes/systems built prior to 1960
Lot sizes too small for adequate septic systems
Hilly terrain, which limit the space available for an on-site septic system.
Over time, soil absorption fields become clogged, causing septic tanks to overflow, which leads to the discharge of untreated wastewater directly onto the ground.

16. Common Threads
“The Bean Blossom Creek is a beautiful stream…in spite of this, water quality data indicates the E. coli levels exceed state standards for safe recreational use along most of the stream reaches.”
Bean Blossom Creek Watershed Management Plan, Hoosier Environmental Council, 2008

17. Bean Blossom Wastewater Preliminary Engineering Report June 19, 2018

18. Current Effort
Contracted Ladd Engineering, Inc., 2014
Evaluated Bean Blossom plus Woodland Lake and conveying the wastewater to Helmsburg or to Nashville for treatment
Since 2014 several reiterations of the PER have taken place
Introduced new treatment plant in Bean Blossom area

19. Scope of our Issue;
Most residential homes and business/ commercial establishments have on-site septic systems
The Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground
850-gpd septic tank and on-site mound system for wastewater disposal from the office/ museum.
During Events:
Additionally, 3 holding tanks (combined capacity of 7,500 gallons)
Many Port-O-Lets scattered throughout the park
Pumping and hauling waste on a regular basis

20. Current Planning Area
Bean Blossom Area – Consists of approximately 71 residential homes and 12 business/ commercial establishments.
Woodland Lake Area – Consists of approximately 79 residential homes.
Little Fox Lake Area – Consists of approximately 18 residential homes.
Freeman Ridge Area - Consists of approximately 32 residential homes.

22. Existing Conditions

23. Findings
The Bean Blossom business area:
Has been in a recent state of decline
Most all of the businesses do not have the necessary land available to either upgrade or even repair their septic systems
Limits future development
BC Redevelopment Commission (RDC) Helmsburg/Bean Blossom Revitalization 2028 Plan

24. Findings
The Woodland Lake Area (BC Health Department):
Many homes with grossly undersized septic systems on lots with no more space available for needed absorption field expansion, replacement, or repairs.
Because many septic tank and absorption field systems are more than 50 years old, it is likely that future failures will occur.

25. Findings
Helmsburg system:
25,000 gpd extended aeration packaged-type treatment system.
Constructed in late 1990’s
Average daily flow is approximately 6,000 to 8,000 gpd
As high as 18,000 gpd during a wet weather event.

26. Findings
Nashville system:
600,000 GPD aerated lagoon type with mechanical fine screen, two final clarifiers, and ultraviolet light disinfection.
Sludge treatment is provided in aerobic digesters The solids are then either landfilled or land applied.
WWTP at 60 to 81% capacity
2 to 3 additional commercial developments are anticipated in the near future.

27. Alternatives Considered

28. Collection system alternatives considered:
No action; conventional gravity; low pressure with grinder pump stations and with septic tank effluent; and vacuum.
Treatment alternatives considered:
Extended aeration activated sludge; constructed wetlands; facultative lagoons; re-circulating media filter; Algaewheel, MBR or MBBR, conveyance to Nashville; and conveyance to Helmsburg RSD.
Disposal alternatives considered:
Surface water receiving stream (Bean Blossom Creek); spray irrigation; subsurface drip irrigation; and elevated mounds.

29. Proposed Project

30. Recommended System
Low pressure sewer system with septic tank effluent for all service areas
Each home with new septic tank and small effluent pump
50,000 GPD (expandable) extended aeration activated sludge treatment plant
Discharge to Bean Blossom Creek

31. Estimated Wastewater Flow (GPD)
Recommended future wastewater flows for each study area, allowing for some slight growth:
Study Area
Estimated Wastewater Flow (GPD)
Bean Blossom
23,536
Woodland Lake
13,050
Little Fox Lake
3,300
Freeman Ridge
5,400
Total
45,286

34. AeroMod Plant – Morocco, IN

35. AeroMod Plant – McCordsville, IN

37. Financial Considerations

38. How do we pay for it?
The Indiana Finance Authority State Revolving Loan Fund (SRP)
USDA Rural Development Grant/Loan Program
Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) Community Focus Fund (CFF) Grant Program

39. The Indiana State Revolving Fund (SRF)
Funding Source: US EPA grants generate SRF Loan funds
Authorized by Federal 1987 Clean Water Act & 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act
Low interest 20 years with Re-payment Plan
Used for Planning/Design/Construction of Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW)
Requires a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) submitted to SRF
Requires a Construction Permit from IDEM

40. The USDA Rural Development Grants/Loans
Funding Source: Consolidated Farm & Rural Development Act
2. Eligibility is based on the median household income level within the planning area –
3. Lower income areas qualify for more Grant Assistance
Preliminary indications are that the proposed service areas may qualify for up to a maximum of 75% of the project costs
Requires an up-front Engineering Study
Requires an Environmental Review

41. Community Focus Fund (CFF)
Funding Source: Housing and Community Development Act of Indiana office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA)
Provides for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Area served has 51% or greater low-to-moderate income population
Community has demonstrated strong commitment to the project
Grant up $700,000 with 10% local match

42. Estimated Project Costs
Initial Total Project cost is $7,355,445.
The Operation, Maintenance and Replacement costs are $175,670 per year.
The estimated average Monthly User Rate for a household, or an equivalent dwelling unit (EDU), which is equal to a residential home, is anticipated to be between $65 and $85 per month.
Actual Rate to be determined after the amount of grant support is known.

43. Homeowner Responsibilities
Maintain your current septic system until the new sewers are in place
Inform the Health Department if you notice seepage
When available, connect to new sewer
Remove or abandon your existing septic tank and drainage field
Receive and pay Interim Rate (½ of monthly) at start of construction so RSD can pay loan interest charges
Receive and pay monthly sewer utility bill when WWTP begins processing waste water flow

44. One - Time Homeowner Costs:
Approximate up-front cost for the customer to abandon their existing septic tank and connect to the new system:
Septic Tank Pump & Fill = $600
4” 20’ X $12/foot = $240
Electrical for Pump Control Panel = $400
Total estimated cost to the customer = $1,200-$1,500

45. Available Loans and Grants
for Homeowners
Section 504 Home Repair Loan Program:
Up to $20,000 for 20 1% interest
For families with income below 50% of median income
Home Repair Grant:
Up to $7,500 (repay only if home is sold during first 3 years)
For individuals or families 62 years or older of very low income per USDA guidelines

46. Cost Comparison
Compare amortized cost of putting in a new septic and lateral field or mound system with 20 year life:
20 1% = $69/month
20 1% = $92/month
Or, if you cannot qualify for assistance:
20 6% = $143/month
Vs. the projected $65 - $85/month sewer fee

47. Summary
Public Health –
Reduces risk of disease transmission and human exposure
Environmental –
Removes pollution from soils, surface waters, and groundwater
Economic –
Increases current property values and helps attract new families, homes and businesses

48. What’s Next?
Initial Funding from BC Council - June 18
Application Submittals for Financial Loans/Grants
Letter to Homeowners
Receive Funding Approvals
Begin Final Design
Begin Easement Approvals
Continue Planning and Preparations

49. Thank You