Jasper partners with property owners in sewer repairs with upcoming water project

ByMatthew Crane Reading Time: 2 minutes
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The short:

  • The City of Jasper agreed to partner with homeowners along Newton Street and U.S. 231 to assist in replacing or repairing wastewater lateral connections to homes and businesses.
  • Through the partnership, property owners can receive monetary assistance up to 50 percent of the cost—maxed at $2,500—from the wastewater utility to pay for repairs. 
  • More than 80 properties could potentially take advantage of the program along the route designated under the upcoming waterline replacement project.
  • Work must be completed by the end of 2018.
  • Letters will be sent out to the homes that can take advantage of the program and an informational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at city hall, 610 Main St.

As Jasper Municipal Utilities plans to replace water lines on U.S. 231 and Newton Street this year, the wastewater utility has decided to offer a partnership with property owners to assist in replacing wastewater laterals

The wastewater utility has set aside $200,000 from the sewer lining program to provide cooperative funding for the replacement or repair of the lines up to the city’s right-of-way along the 2-mile route. Property owners taking advantage of the program could receive up to 50 percent or $2,500, whichever is less, of the cost of the repairs.

Traditionally, property owners have been solely responsible for maintaining the lines. They are required to be inspected on a tri-annual basis as well as when properties are sold but with the planned water main replacement project starting this year, utility officials felt the incentive could save property owners money as well as ensure the new pavement coming in 2019 wouldn’t be marred with cuts for lateral repairs soon after it is completed.

With the decision, affected property owners have until May 1 to contact the wastewater department to schedule an inspection and take part in the program.

Completed at no cost to the property owner, inspections are looking for broken pipes, root problems, leaking sewer connections and any other issue that allows rainwater to infiltrate the wastewater system and potentially overloading its capacity.

The Jasper Water & Gas utility has coordinated a project to replace the World War II-era water main this year with the Indiana Department of Transportation to completely repave a major portion of U.S. 231 and Newton Street in 2019.

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