Eastgate sewer project moving forward

FINDLAY — The city of Findlay's takeover of the sanitary sewers for the Eastgate Subdivision is moving forward. Sanitary sewers for the subdivision on U.S. 224, along Hickory Lane, are owned and maintained by the Hancock County Board of Commissioners. The commissioners have asked the city to take over their maintenance, but the expense of upgrading the system first, an $850,000 fix, will be up to the county. City Engineer Jeremy Kalb said the county has confirmed that it has the funding. Kalb updated Findlay City Council on the status of the project at its regular meeting on May 21. City and county officials met in late February to discuss the options. County officials favor the construction of an 8-inch gravity sewer to service the 15-unit subdivision. The subdivision uses grinder pumps and a pressure system that feeds into the city's sanitary system. According to county officials, it's an old system that is getting more expensive to maintain. The commissioners said they would seek grant funding to cover the expense, and once the debt is retired on the project, ownership and maintenance of the sewer line will be transferred to the city. Findlay already manages collection, treatment and billing for the system. The original agreement stipulated that the county is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the system up to the point of connection with the city's main sanitary line. In 1991, when the county first began maintaining the system, the city was asked to take it over, but there was no response, according to the commissioners. The commissioners have said the system would be better managed by the city, because Findlay typically handles the operation and maintenance of sewage systems like Eastgate's. Kalb said the city will design, inspect and bid out construction of the new system, but no city funds will be invested in the project.