FORTVILLE — An update from Fortville’s town council meeting reveals that the new water treatment plant is almost ready to come into service.
Construction on the new plant started in the early months of 2022 and is getting ready to finish up as it has just one more installment: the generator.
Doug Tischbein, director of business development for Orleans-based Reynolds Construction is the lead of the project, and updated Fortville’s Town Council last week saying the generator is expected to be delivered June 14.
Once it arrives, it’ll take approximately a week to install.
Tischbein told the town council that he wasn’t making promises but suggested that the new water treatment plant will be operational by the end of next week, or when plant superintendent David Thompson gets back from vacation.
Since they’ve been waiting on the part, an interconnect was installed between the current and plants so they can run together, due to the old plant having the emergency power.
Tischbein told the Daily Reporter back in December 2022 that March was the substantial completion date, but due to waiting on the generator and some minor shipping issues, the time frame has been adjusted.
“It’s all supply chain issues like every other construction job going on in the United States,” Tischbein said. “The pandemic is still there and it’s still in the pipeline, it’s just causing some problems.”
The total project cost was estimated at $10.7 million and once completed, demolition on the old plant will begin. The projected date for demolition isn’t until the end of June or beginning of July, but even then is subject to change.
As far as looks and size, the new plant is different from the 66-year-old plant. Located in the same location off of Church Street and near Memorial Park, the new plant sits right behind the old one.
“The longevity is significant with the commercial growth,” Tischbein said. “It’s time.”
Over the last four weeks, Tischbein said they have been commissioning the plant and are currently working on the programming, which will be finished by the end of the week.
Another update Tischbein added was the water storage in the towers has increased, with about 20 to 21 feet of water storage in both towers.
With the new water treatment plant soon to be running, Tischbein said in the meantime the community can focus and work toward water conservation.
The Town of Fortville recently shared their conservation watering schedule and restrictions with the recent temperature and dry spell. Following these guidelines will allow the water towers to maintain the levels and pressure required to take care of the community.
Some of those voluntary actions suggested include turning water off while brushing teeth, only running dishwashers and washing machines when there is a full load, and trying to limit showers to five minutes.
