S'ville, Hebron get stimulus cash for plants

INDIANAPOLIS | Schererville and Hebron will use federal stimulus money to improve wastewater treatment in their communities.

The Indiana Finance Authority awarded Schererville $2.5 million on Thursday for improvements to the town's wastewater treatment plant and to eliminate the Schererville Heights lift station, which has been deemed inadequate for the town's needs.

"These projects will provide several construction jobs to area residents while providing for much needed improvement to our infrastructure," Town Manager Bob Volkmann said. "When this construction is completed, we will be prepared to meet the future demands on our sanitary system."

The town's wastewater system serves more than 60,000 people in Schererville, St. John and St. John Township.

State Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, said she is grateful that a much-needed project was getting funded.

The total price tag of the Schererville wastewater project is $6.7 million. The $2.5 million grant from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act saves Schererville more than one-third of the cost. A low-interest loan from the state finance authority will pay for the rest of the project.

Hebron will use its $176,309 stimulus grant to improve and enhance E. coli prevention measures at its Porter County water plant. Old ultraviolet equipment will be replaced with new low-pressure, high-output automatic cleaning units.

"We're just happy that this project is going to come to a conclusion," Town Council President Don Ensign said. "The additional stimulus funds are very much appreciated."