(La Porte County, IN) - There are plans to provide municipal water and sewer service to other parts of northeast La Porte County in the very near future.

 

Project Engineer Ken Jones told the La Porte County Commissioners during their meeting Wednesday that lines would be extended to Saugany Lake and Hudson Lake and the work could begin next year if financing can be secured for what he estimated to be a $9 million project.

 

Providing municipal utilities to those communities has been talked about for years because of concerns such as lots without room to install a new septic tank and field and the potential for the lakes and wells to become contaminated with wastewater.

 

Jones, who’s an engineer for the La Porte County Sewer and Water District, said municipal utilities could also help those areas grow since an electric vehicle battery-making plant employing a projected 1,700 people is planned outside New Carlisle.

 

Municipal utilities are viewed as a major advantage in attracting development along with new residents.

 

“Just the proximity alone could bring some collateral benefit to La Porte County,” he said.

 

Commissioner Rich Mrozinski said most Saugany Lake residents are in favor of having municipal water and sewer. He added that Hudson Lake could once again be more of an attraction if hooked into municipal services. 

 

“It’s really gone downhill over the years.  With the battery plant and we’ve got some other pretty big projects we’re working on, we’re going to need housing.  We all know what lake property does.  With the addition of sewer lines, I think you’re going to see a turnover and bring Hudson Lake back to what it used to be,” he said.

 

Jones is asking La Porte County government to partially contribute financially to the project to help bring down the cost of rates for prospective utility customers.