The Greentown Grapevine – 1997-11, 04:11

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Volume 4, Issue 11 64a paper for the people" November 1997
Where There's Smoke . . . . . . . .
During several days beginning
October 22, engineers fiom Pitometer
Associates, Inc. were in Greentown
running smoke tests to identify possible
problems in the sewer system that need
repair. Smoke was blown into the
sanitary manholes. Any smoke escaping
fiom downspouts or fiom the ground
were noted on videotape. Smoke fiom
any location except plumbing vents on
the roof indicate a possible problem.
This testing was ordered because
Greentown has received notice from
IDEM ( Indiana Department of
Environmental Management) that it is
under a sewer connection ban. This
means that sewer hook- ups cannot be
done to any newly annexed property
until IDEM lifts the ban. The ban was
imposed because there have been
several times in the last year when the
volume was too great for the Greentown
Wastewater Treatment plant and water
containing raw sewage was bypassed
into Brunk Ditch. The overflow,
sometimes by about 500,000 gallons
occurs very quickly after a big rain anc
also stops quickly. This is an indication
that much rain water is entering the
sanitary system rather than going
directly into the ditch, as it should. This
rain water mixes with sewage and
overloads the wastewater plant.
According to Town Council Presideni
Bob Armstrong, the Town has been
dealing with this problem for aboui
twenty years. " IDEM has been v q
patient, as they knew we were working
on the problem. We have separated
many tiles, dividing rain water and
sewage. At this time we are DEAD
SERIOUS about eliminating the
problem. "
Pitometer Associates will give the
Town a complete report, with locations
of possible problems. Some are
gxxgted to be a Town responsibility
and some to be homeowners'
responsibilities. A brochure will be
distributed to residents further
explaining the situation.
Smoke coming out of a downspout may indicate a connection to the
sanitary sewer, rather than to a storm sewer or other natural
drainage. Photos by R. Jenkins
The Greentown Town Council will
meet November 4 at 7: 30p. m in the
City Building- The public is
welcome
The Eastern Howard School Board
will meet October 28, November 11
and November 25 in the
Administration Ojj5ces, 220 S.
Meridian St. The public is welocme.
No, this smoke coming up through the ground does not indicate a
volcano about to blow. It is part of a diagnostic test to determine
where problems are in Greentown's sewer system. The smoke was
blown into the manholes and found an escape route where water
might enter into the system.
IMPROPER CONNECTIONS
omsmm CONNECIT. m m S ~ ~ C O " E C T E D
0 SANITARY SEWER W A R Y SEWER
L
, W A R Y SEWERW
HOME SEWER LATERAL
FOUNDATION D MTo
S7JMF', WHICHEhPIES
INlD SANITARY SYSEM
In this example, rainwater is channeled into the sanitary
system, greatly overloading the system during periods
of rain.
PROPER CONNECTIONS
DoWNSWW PROVIDES
FOR NATURAL
XNATURAL
IRAINAGE
SANITARY SEWERMAIN
HOMESEWERLATERAL.
FOUNDATION DRAIN TO SUhlP,
WHICH DISCHARGES TO
NATURAL DRANAGE
Millions of dollars in otherwise unnecessary upgrades
to the sanitary system can be avoided when rainwater
is diverted awayfiom the system, as shown above.