GATHERING WATERLINE MATERIAL INFORMATION
March 14, 2023 – Logansport Utilities is updating waterline material records and is asking residents in older parts of the city for their assistance.
The 129-year-old utility company is mailing an instructional letter to thousands of Logansport residents and businesses, largely in the oldest infrastructure parts of the city, asking them to identify their water service line that enters their property and to then send back the information. The letter has directions on how to identify the material and a form on the back page to fill out. A stamped return envelope has been provided to mail back the information to Logansport Utilities’ customer service office at 601 E Broadway. Residents are also able to drop off the form in-person or complete the form and submit the information online on the utility company’s website www.logansportutilities.com.
The waterline material inventory will help assist in the upcoming water service line replacement project, scheduled to start later this year. Grant money in the amount of 7.1 million is being awarded to fund the project by the State Revolving Fund (SRF).
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has mandated all water systems in the state complete an inventory of all water service lines. The deadline for the complete inventory is October 2024.
CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR UPCOMING
LOGANSPORT UTILITIES’ PROJECTS
February 28, 2023 – Logansport Utilities has awarded contracts for the upcoming water service line replacement project and multiple combined sewer overflow (CSO) projects.
Thieneman Construction (headquartered in Westfield, Indiana) had the winning bid price for the multi-year CSO projects (011, 012, and Linden Avenue Wet Weather Project) at $16,875,000. A directive from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requires all CSO projects to be completed by 2026.
Five Star Energy Services, a Waukesha, Wisconsin based underground utility construction company, had the winning bid price for the water service line replacement project for $7,719,960. The water service line replacement project has been mandated by the state and coincides with Logansport Utilities’ commitment to provide safe and reliable water.
Bond requests for the funding of these projects and the other pending projects listed on the utilities’ capital improvement plan and the state’s required “Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP)” were approved by the city council in early February 2023. The total bond request is $128 million which includes contingency funds for each project that will not be recompensed, as well as grant money of 7.1 million being awarded from State Revolving Fund (SRF). An estimated $95 million will be the repayment amount.
Both awarded projects are scheduled to begin this year.
STATE’S UNFUNDED, MANDATED PROJECTS HEIGHTEN NEED FOR WATER RATES INCREASE
October 11, 2022 – Upcoming projects required by the state have led the City of Logansport, its city council, and Logansport Utilities to consider future rate increases for water, wastewater, and stormwater.
On September 27, 2022, the Logansport Utilities’ service board approved rate change resolutions. These resolutions will be forwarded to the city clerk treasurer and the city council for review and creation of a rate ordinance to increase water, wastewater, and stormwater rates. The increases would happen in four phases over the next four years.
This request will coincide with the municipal utilities’ capital improvement plan and the state’s required “Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP)” which includes future requirements for the city of Logansport from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s “Clean Water Act” and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)’s “Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)” project.
Launched federally and by the state in 1996, then revised in 2001, the unfunded and mandated CSO program is to help eliminate combined sewer overflows and prevent raw sewage from spilling into local rivers and waterways during heavy rain events. Logansport Utilities’ CSO projects began in 2013. The “Melbourne Avenue Wet Weather Project” was the most recent improvement, with Wilhelm Construction leading the installation of two new 10-foot-diameter pipes to store and process five million gallons of stormwater water during heavy rains. That project was completed in the winter of 2021. In 2018, water, wastewater, and stormwater rate increases were approved in two phases (2018, 2019) to help fund the massive project. The directive from the EPA and IDEM is all remaining CSO projects are to be completed by 2026.
The cost for the upcoming required CSO projects affecting the rates from the years 2023 – 2026 is an estimated $51,384,108. This number includes construction of the wastewater treatment plant’s headworks, replacing the original headworks built in 1958. The headworks must be replaced to process flows from the new CSO systems being installed. To complete the remainder of the capital improvement plan, which includes a 2025 mandate from IDEM for a secondary water source (supplemental wellfield, wells, and well houses), service line replacements, and the EPA’s phosphorus removal protocol requirement, the remaining amount needed is $43,696,770. This brings the total funding need to $95,080,878. Logansport is ahead of the curve with state mandated CSO projects, with neighboring communities behind in accruing funding and creating action plans.
Logansport Utilities has taken proactive steps to help keep rate increases to the community as low as possible by applying and being awarded the “State Revolving Fund (SRF)” grant and loan money. The SRF Loan Programs provide low-interest loans to Indiana communities for projects that improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. The utility company applied for $24 million dollars to replace 4,500 service lines in the city. The SRF will fund 80% of the company’s requested funds which will not have to be repaid. The request will be broken down into thirds, $8 million dollars to be requested and be awarded each year for three years. This year Logansport Utilities will obtain $6.4 million dollars and borrow the additional $1.6 million dollars with 0% interest on a 30-year loan from the SRF. If Logansport Utilities had not acted on applying for additional funds, the rate increase for customers would have been more. The move helped save each average rate payer $4 dollars per month. The utility company will also be obtaining proposed waterworks, sewer works, and stormwater revenue bonds in 2023 and 2025.
The upcoming rate ordinance on water, wastewater, and stormwater will affect residential and commercial customers. The current average combined rate (for in-city residents using 5,000 gallons a month for water, wastewater, and stormwater services) is $77.15 per month. The proposed 4 phase plan, along with the cost saving actions done by Logansport Utilities, the increase will raise rates roughly $50.13 monthly in total for those averaged residential customers in four years, instead of $62.13. Depending on services used, some residents may see less of a rate increase. Averaged small (2-inch main) commercial customer using 15,000 gallons monthly will see an increase of $220.86 in four years.
The proposed combined water/wastewater/stormwater monthly rate changes for in-city residential customers include:
2022 - $77.15 (current)
2023 + $16.21 (Phase I)
2024 + $12.03 (Phase II)
2025 + $13.91 (Phase III)
2026 + $7.98 (Phase IV)
The proposed combined water/wastewater/stormwater monthly rate changes for small commercial customers include:
2022 - $299.06 (current)
2023 + $67.03 (Phase I)
2024 + $55.86 (Phase II)
2025 + $58.96 (Phase III)
2026 + $39.01 (Phase IV)
Public meetings for the city council readings of the proposed rate ordinances were held in November and December 2022. The rates were approved to launch in January 2023.
LINEMEN ASSIST IN RESTORING POWER IN HURRICANE AFTERMATH
September 28, 2022: Logansport Utilities sent four linemen from the electric distribution department to join hundreds of others to assist in power restoration in Florida, as forecasters predicted massive damage from the approaching Hurricane Ian.
Earlier that week Duane Richardson, the executive director from the Indiana Municipal Electric Association (IMEA), reached out to Logansport Utilities CEO/Superintendent Greg Toth and Director of Electric Brad McBride on the possibility of joining other Indiana municipal electric department teams in Florida’s predicted power outages.
Two foremen, Chris Griffith and Shane Milburn, along with two apprentice linemen, Joe Shilling and Mason Weller, left Wednesday morning September 28, to head to Troy, Alabama to meet up with fellow Indiana linemen and IMEA members from Lawrenceburg, Rensselaer, Scottsburg, Washington, Mishawaka, and Lebanon.
The Logansport crew took two trucks and remained in the staging area in Troy as the storm moved through Florida. Once given a location, instructions and clearance, they traveled to New Symrna, working 16-hour workdays to help in repairs and power restoration efforts.
All expenses were covered by the Florida based utility companies or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Logansport still had a full crew of electric linemen and apprentices remaining in the city to complete ongoing projects and respond to emergencies in the area.
Grant Awarded for Replacing Water Service Lines
Logansport Utilities has been awarded millions of dollars in grant money to help replace the city’s water service lines.
The “State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program provides grant money and low-interest loans to Indiana communities for projects that improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.
In Logansport Utilities’ continuous mission to bring safe, clean, and reliable drinking water to Logansport residents, the company applied for $24 million dollars to replace 4,500 service lines in the city. The SRF has agreed to award and fund 80% of the company’s requested funds with grant money, which will not have to be repaid. The request will be broken down into thirds, with $8 million dollars to be requested and be awarded each year for three years. This year Logansport Utilities will obtain $6.4 million dollars in grant money and borrow the additional $1.6 million dollars with 0% interest on a 30-year loan from the SRF. The same process is planned for the next two years.
Once the 4,500 service lines are replaced over the next few years, residents can expect improved quality water and higher water pressure in their homes and businesses.
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Installing New EV Chargers
June 29, 2022 – Logansport Utilities (formerly Logansport Municipal Utilities or LMU) will be installing several new EV (electric vehicle) charging stations around the city of Logansport.
The project has already launched with a newly installed EV charger in the parking lot of the “Science Project Brewery Company,” near the corner of North and 6th Streets. Starting July 5, electric vehicle drivers will be able to access and use the charging station.
Logansport Utilities is providing the electricity to these power stations free of charge. The stations will be fully open to the public. Drivers will be able plug-in, charge up, and be on their way without having to pay a fee.
CEO/Superintendent Greg Toth supports the program, stating, “This is a small way, we as a utility company, can support our community. The availability of additional charging stations around town will benefit electric vehicle owners and encourage others to invest in them, especially during a time where everyone is looking for sustainable options and transportation cost-savings.”
Other locations of EV chargers are still to be determined, with one proposed in the city-planned “Urban Park,” near Logan’s Landing (421 4th Street.)
This is not the first time Logansport Utilities has installed EV chargers. The Logansport city building on East Broadway has one in their private lot for city-owned electric vehicles, and Logansport Memorial Hospital has a pay-per-use charger on their campus.your site, a customer quote, or to talk about important news.
NEW LOGO AND TRANSITION TO ‘LOGANSPORT UTILITIES’
*Release February 25, 2022 – Logansport Municipal Utilities is launching a rebranding, which includes a new logo, as the name of the company transitions to Logansport Utilities.
The company has gone by different names and logos/looks throughout its more than 125 years as an electric and water distribution/collection entity. Those names include Logansport Waterworks and Electric Company, City of Logansport Electric Light Department, and City of Logansport Municipal Utilities.
The most recent logo design was created in the 1990’s with blue stripes and the letters L M U typed vertically. The new logo shows a multi-blue colored 3D sphere with a bolt in the center, with the words LOGANSPORT UTILITIES and EST. 1895 under the sphere. Throughout 2022, the new logo will replace the former logo on all the company’s signage and materials for branding.
To Our Customers
Coming in spring 2022, we will be transitioning from our defunct postcard bills to full size, enveloped letters.DO NOT THROW THE NEW BILLS AWAY! These are the only mailed bills we will be sending!
Printed on these bills will be our new company logo, formally referred to as LMU or LogansportMunicipal Utilities, now called Logansport Utilities. Everything else has remained the same. Same superintendent, same great reliable and helpful services. Customer service remains at the same location, same phone numbers, website, and social media channels.
Take a look at the back page to see a sample of what the NEW BILLS are going to look like and then keep an eye out in your mailbox for YOUR NEW BILL!
NEW ENVELOPED, LETTER SIZED BILLING
February 25, 2022 – Logansport Utilities (formerly Logansport Municipal Utilities/LMU) is replacing the old, defunct postcard utility bills with new enveloped, full sized letter billing paperwork.
The new bills will be printed on 8.5 inch by 11-inch white paper, with the company’s new logo printed on them. They will arrive in mailboxes in envelopes. The company is sending out letters in advance to help explain the new look and to encourage residents not to throw out the new bills, as they are legitimate.
This comes as Logansport Utilities implements their new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, a business process management software that manages and integrates their financials, operations, reporting, and human resource activities.
AMI CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS TO BEGIN
August 23, 2021 – After more than a decade of investigating AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) systems for utilities, and the last eight months of in-depth evaluations, Logansport Municipal Utilities (LMU) has selected Sensus to provide the program needed to enhance utility operations for the Logansport community.
Both the electric and water departments will share an integrated metering communication network, working in tandem with the new incoming ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system already being developed. The new AMI system will accurately measure water and electricity consumption and rapidly detect leaks or power outages for LMU customers.
The project manager of the AMI provider search is the electric metering department’s supervisor, Brad McBride. He is supported by staff members across various departments and LMU’s superintendent Greg Toth.
Thirty hours of total interviews and presentations, along with, visiting peer companies and speaking with utility colleagues, allowed for a detailed, comprehensive search.
Toth says, “The new AMI system through Sensus will allow greater operational efficiency, have our community using the latest technology for power quality and outage management, as well as improvements within our entire water distribution system.”
Over the next couple of months, contract negotiations will occur with Sensus, finalizing responsibilities, equipment, installations, timelines, and final costs.
Eel River Dams’ Removal
*Release October 8, 2021
Plans to remove two historic low-head dams (weirs) on the Eel River in Logansport are moving forward, as the utility company has now selected Deichman Excavating’s bid to complete the work.
The project will remove the larger dam located at 10th Street and the three-foot dam located downstream. The 10th Street dam was first built in 1854 and completed in 1857 for the Logansport Waterworks and Electric Company. The smaller dam was constructed in 1835. Neither dam is in use.
In the past, the Eel River had 14 dams along it, mostly for milling and power sources. Many of them were destroyed naturally. Other Indiana cities have removed four Eel River dams. The dams at Manchester and Liberty Mills were removed in 2012, followed by one near Mexico in 2016.
The project is estimated to cost $300,000.
LMU has already begun the process to release more water flow from the dam gates, allowing water to drop and be rerouted for equipment to be brought in safely. Equipment for the ongoing demolition at the former electric generating plant will also be brought in, to remove the coal conveyer that runs from the south to the north side of the river. Local ecologist Jerry Sweeten and other environmental officials are collaborating with LMU for conservation efforts of wildlife and the land.
The removal is expected to begin on October 17, 2021 and be completed by December 1, 2021.
Big Changes Along Eel River
July 16, 2021 - Logansport Municipal Utilities (LMU) is moving forward with demolishing the former electric generating plant and water treatment plant in the coming months.
After receiving approval from the utility services board last month to move ahead, work has begun for both the water plant located 1100 Riverside Drive, and the generating plant at 800 Race Street. Along with the two facilities, the coal conveyor running across the Eel River, the defunct water tower, and former coal building on the northside of the river will also be demolished. The contracted work is being supplied by Glynn Demolition based out of Hennepin, Illinois.
There will be temporary fencing put up around the projects. Both facilities will have large equipment on the sites and increased construction noise during the work. Blasting will not be used for demolition. The project is scheduled to be completed before March 28, 2022.
The first steps in the demolition will include the removal of asbestos from both locations, according to State and Federal laws and industry standard practices. Glynn will coordinate with BCA Environmental Consultants. LMU is also removing any relics of historic significance from the buildings for uses to be determined.
The opportunity to launch the demolition projects arose amid rising reclamation steel and scrap brick prices. In the past, it was estimated costs to demolish just the old generator plant was around $6 million. Now both locations will be demolished under an estimated 1.6 million.
To offset some of the costs, LMU has applied for a 500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA.) The grant would help pay for the power plant’s demolition of the coal conveyor and smokestack, supporting the removal of asbestos-containing material on the conveyor and throughout the plant. LMU will learn on August 12, 2021 if the OCRA grant has been awarded.
Long-standing Landmarks
Both facilities have been long-standing landmarks in the city. The power plant generated electricity from 1895 to 2016. LMU now distributes electricity from NextEra Energy, Inc after it was deemed too inefficient and costly to continue producing electricity. In 1914, water was provided to the Logansport community with a filter plant built next to the electric generating plant. The system was improved in 1954 when the water treatment plant was built. This plant treated water from the Eel River. It was decommissioned in late 2013 due to the plant being outdated. The city’s water is now provided from a well field distribution system.
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