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By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — The town of Milford’s Master Utility Study project is categorically excluded from substantive environmental review, the State Revolving Fund announced in a legal notice to be published in the Mail-Journal Wednesday, Dec. 18.

In this case of this project, a categorical exclusion, or C.E., means a federal action “normally does not have a significant effect on the human environment,” the Environmental Protection Agency stated. An environmental assessment, or environmental impact statement, is not normally required in these cases.

According to the release, Milford is facing challenges to the quality of its drinking water, such as dead-end service mains, which can cause water stagnation and low water pressure. Milford’s water contains high levels of iron and manganese, causing taste and odor problems, and damaging water meters and household plumbing. The release also cites insufficient mixing in the town’s storage tank, leading to water stagnation.

Milford’s planned improvements include looping dead-end water mains; replacing lead service lines; installing a packaged filtration system; constructing a new filtration and equipment storage building; and installing a backup generator and mixer at the existing elevated storage tank, the water tower.

The total estimated cost of the project is $6,909,375. The town of Milford will be financing it with a loan from the Drinking Water S.R.F. Loan Program. The term and annual fixed interest rate of this loan will be determined at closing.

The monthly water user rates and charges may need to be evaluated to determine if rate changes are necessary to repay the loan.

The documentation supporting the C.E. can be found at Milford Town Hall, 121 S. Main St.; Indiana Government Center North, 100 N. Senate Ave., SRF Loan Programs, Room 1275, Indianapolis, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; or at srf.in.gov.

For questions, contact Jenni Curry at (463) 261-6943 or [email protected].