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The city of Kokomo has authorized a bond issue for the second time in two years to cover work down to the wastewater treatment system. As a result, residents and businesses likely will have to pay more for the service. Many might question why this has to happen.
The process started decades ago, and according to Kokomo City Controller Weston Reed, the city couldn’t avoid doing the work.
“We have to do this, even though it is a bad situation,” said Reed. “This is part of the long-term control plan that was put into place 20 years ago. There is a statewide mandate that we have to separate our stormwater from our sewer lines. There is not a choice. It is a mandate.
“We’re not the only community finding the same problem of hitting contamination along the way and having to switch gears. It makes costs go up, but it is what it is.”
The latest $20.1 million in bonds, which were fully authorized on Sept. 12, is devoted to cleaning up the contamination discovered at the wastewater treatment plant when the sewer separation project began. Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore said that the city was aware of the potential to find contamination, but they also knew their options were limited.
“It really stinks that a $20 million project is the best way forward.” — City Controller Weston Reed
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