1. Interceptor lines are being installed across Neosho
Sewer lines are being replaced. Many of the old lines were 8-inch or 12-inch and during heavy rains water in the lines would back up and seep out of the manholes. Water from across town flows north, and Spring Street and downtown flooding problems are related to the narrow lines which are being replaced with 36-inch lines.
In order for the city to be positioned for growth, not attract negative attention from monitoring agencies, and keep from flooding in sewage, it needs the bigger lines.
2. Rehabilitating old lines is the second phase
Once lines in heavier traffic areas have been replaced, workers will insert a liner inside other old sewer lines to reduce seepage.
Work on the interceptor lines project started about a month ago. Workers will start on the east side of town from Wall to McKinney streets, then move west working from College to Harmony streets. La-Z-Boy Drive by Morse Park was first on the list so when weather turns warm paving crews can do their job just once. Groundwater entering sewer lines adds to the total amount of wastewater the city treats, so the slip liners for lines not being replaced are necessary.
Funding for the roughly $8.5 million project comes from a combination of city bonds, grants and stimulus money. The wastewater bond, passed in August 2008, is separate from the recently discussed city water system improvements.
3. An equalization basin will hold extra water
The city’s wastewater plant has a capacity of 6 million gallons. It averages 2 million gallons a day, but during heavy rains the amount coming in can surge to 10 million gallons. If the water doesn’t make it into the treatment plant it can back up in the lines and come out the manholes, especially near Shoal Creek.
In order to remain in compliance with changing standards from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Neosho must make the changes or face heavy fines.
Work for all three parts of the project will continue through the next year.
