Dubois County Regional Sewer District Offers Haysville Update

A public update on the Haysville sewer project was provided by Deena Lewis, president of the Regional Sewer District’s Board of Trustees. Lewis, who also serves as Dubois County Councilwoman, presented some historical context for the recent work aimed at public wastewater infrastructure to Haysville. While 90% of the design work for the $18 million sewer project has been completed by the District, a notable funding gap of $9.4 million has threatened its completion. 

In 2018, officials began discussing the unhealthy water and soil conditions in rural areas of the county. “The unavailability of public wastewater facilities was noted as a major contributing factor to environmental issues and concerns that were due in large regard to failing septic systems that were affecting neighborhoods and, more specifically, the east fork of the White River. In 2020, engineering firm Clark Dietz was hired to conduct an infrastructure and sewer assessment for the county. As part of that process, Haysville and Portersville were identified as being among the areas with the most need for intervention. This was supported by significant levels of E. coli having been documented by Indiana Department of Environmental Management. 
 
In 2022, a preliminary plan was developed and engineering work began to design sanitary sewers that would connect to the Jasper’s wastewater utility. By 2024, the field construction costs were estimated at $18 million. The RSD chose to focus on Haysville, as Lewis said that budgetary constraints made it necessary to delay the Portersville part of the original plan. 

At this time, the County has invested about $2 million in funds obtained through the American Rescue Plan Act. Through a 35-year bond with the State Revolving Fund, a loan was secured for $8.6 million. $1 million will be forgivable. The remaining $9.4 million still needs to be funded. The RSD is reaching out to local organizations like Radius, Dubois Strong, Indiana Region 15, and Dubois Community Foundation to try and close the gap. 

According to Lewis, Haysville residents say that the environmental and health problems stemming from the city’s failing septic system have been an issue for decades. She noted that the Haysville project opens the door to complete work in other rural communities with similar needs like Portersville, Holland, and Hillham. The lack of a public wastewater infrastructure in these areas has been identified as an impediment to development, in addition to causing significant challenges for residents who already live there. 
 
For more information on these and other updates, visit duboiscountyin.org/government 

- Drew Hasselbring