Jeff Rowe of Baker-Tilly, left, presented the results of a rate study at Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District’s Monday, April 21 meeting. The district is looking at a rate increase to offset both inflationary costs and improvement projects. Also pictured are engineer Jeff Hersha and Superintendent Tim Woodward. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

CROMWELL — The Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District held a public hearing Monday, April 21, on its plans for sewer and water improvements, followed by introduction of a potential rate increase.

The board has submitted two preliminary engineering reports to the state revolving fund for grant funding on these projects.

The district plans to expand plant capacity and improve overall treatment and distribution of water and wastewater.

The plant’s current design capacity is 0.37 million, or 370,000 gallons per day, with a peak capacity of 2.3 million gallons per day. On an annual average, the plant operates at 90% of its design capacity.

The planned expansion will take capacity up to 0.5 million, or 500,000, gallons per day.

The board has already approved the installation of new aeration rotors at the plant this year, which will increase capacity 62%.

Proposed plans for wastewater treatment and distribution include:

• Septic elimination improvements at Enchanted Hills housing addition, Cromwell, for $2,974,000; Hiawatha Lane, Syracuse for $530,000; and Circle Drive, Syracuse, for $837,000.

• Replacement of the out-of-date Sunset pump station and relocation of the Buttermilk Point pump station for $1,182,000.

• Relocation of the force main on Eli Lilly Road, Syracuse, for $253,000.

• Replacement of the force main and all asbestos concrete pipes at the A1A lift station for $783,000.

• Replacement of a 30-year-old portable generator at the plant for $100,000.

Proposed plans for water treatment and distribution include:

• Replacement of a 60-year-old well at the plant for $309,000.

• A new aeration tank for $2,311,000.

• Replacement of 2-inch or 3-inch water mains with 8-inch mains; replacement of all asbestos concrete pipes; and adding more hydrants, valves and meters to the water system for $6,249,000.

• Adding a 75,000-gallon water storage tank to increase water capacity for $1,782,000.

There was no public comment on either of the PERs. The full documents are available to read on tcrsd.com.

Rate Study

After closing the public hearing, the board heard from Jeff Rowe of Baker-Tilly, who presented a rate study on how to offset both inflation and the costs of improvement projects. The study didn’t included any septic elimination projects, which would be able to expand Turkey Creek’s customer base. Instead, it focused on projects that would affect the current customer base.

In the study, Rowe proposed getting a bond anticipatory note for the cost of the rotors project. This project has already been approved by the board. Construction costs would be $892,000, but with a contingency and other non-construction costs factored in, it totals $1.8 million.

Force main upgrades and line replacement projects are valued at $2.4 in the study.

“It’s like a line of credit that you draw on if you need it,” board attorney, Andy Boxberger said of BANs. Whatever isn’t spent on the project could be used to help pay off the BAN.

Rowe noted it has been two years since the last rate increase.

In order to offset the costs of improvement projects, the district would need to take in $2.3 million annually. For 2024, revenue totaled $2,090,000.

Therefore, the study proposes an increase in two phases.

Phase one would cover inflation and the $1.8 million rotors BAN with a 10% increase, or $7 per bill. The rate would rise from $71.85 to $79.05.

Phase two would cover the $2.4 million BAN with an additional 14% increase to $90.10.

If the $2.4 were rolled into the financing of the $1.8 million BAN, Rowe said the increase would be closer to 25%.

“It’s getting harder and harder to keep rates below $100, that’s kind of where most districts are getting. … Hopefully, we can keep it under that, but it’s dependent on the size of the projects,” Rowe said.

Boxberger noted the study is not a definite plan and may change based on whether or not the district receives SRF funding.

Rowe said multiple studies will most likely need to be done.

The board approved introducing the phase one rate change. Before taking any further action to implement a rate change, the board will need to have a public hearing. If passed next month, the rate change could go into effect June 1, but this is not a definite date.

Engineering And Superintendent Reports

Engineer John Magsam updated the board on the line break at Treasure Island Road, Cromwell. The job was completed by Selge Construction for a cost of $68,000. About 38 feet of pipe was replaced.

Superintendent Tim Woodward reported the district is preparing for the heightened flow on Fourth of July weekend. He also mentioned the plant will be receiving a visit from IDEM Commission Clint Woods Thursday, May 15.

The next regular Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, May 19.