7/23/14 - Some big changes to water and sewer systems were approved at Monday nightâs Genoa Township board meeting. The first change made was a series of rate increases for water and sewer hookups in the area of Latson Road an I-96. Utility Director Greg Tatara explained for the board that this area would probably see commercial growth in the coming years, and while the system had the capacity to handle some new users it could eventually get overwhelmed and need an upgrade. The increased connection fees will help mitigate that cost when such an upgrade becomes necessary. Water connection fees in the area were increased from $5,000 to $7,900 per residence equivalency unit. Sewer connection fees south of the freeway increased from $5,500 per REU to $11,400, and those north of the freeway increased to $7,200. Residents posed questions and offered suggestions to the plan, and one encouraged the board to expand the water system south of the freeway to improve the areaâs attractiveness to commercial developers. The new rates will be incorporated over time. Also at Mondayâs meeting, the township board approved a $6 million construction project to transfer the bulk of the work done at the Oak Pointe treatment plant to the Genoa Oceola treatment plant to the north. The project involves turning the Oak Pointe plant into a pumping station where only pre-treatment would take place, then installing a 10-inch water main to the GO plant to the north for complete treatment. The Oak Pointe plant is unable to meet state standards for sodium. Residents who use it will be picking up the tab for the project on their monthly bills, but Tatara says that will be partially mitigated by the fact that they will no longer be required to use expensive potassium-based water softeners. Work on that project is slated to begin next month, with full conversion planned to finish sometime in the spring. (TD)
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