You might say it was a ceremonial ‘First Flush’!
Benton Township officials gathered for the only ribbon cutting in memory for a sewer line, officiated by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.
While that might seem odd, the new 36 inch ‘force main’ sewer line under the St. Joseph River is a big deal for the public works professionals who keep the wastewater from Benton Township and Benton Harbor flowing smoothly to the Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant on Marina Island.
The fact that none of us ever think about that is testament to how the system just keeps working like it’s supposed to. (Something we all can be thankful for when considering the alternative…)
But, in all seriousness, the old iron sewer mains under the River were over capacity and could have developed problems over time. Now, with Thursday’s official cut-over of the Benton Township sewers to the new line, the wastewater treatment systems for both the Township and The City of Benton Harbor are in much better shape.
Benton Township officials explained it all this way at a the ceremony on Riverview Drive, where the big pipe dives below the River:
For decades, Benton Charter Township’s wastewater flowed through a pair of aging cast iron pipes below the river. The old lines were handling the wastewater from both Benton Township and Benton Harbor, leaving it over capacity. By building a new, standalone river crossing, Benton Township has stepped up to solve a long-standing problem, reducing the risk of backups and providing more reliable service for residents in both communities.
This project is a huge accomplishment that’s been years in the making. The Township’s $5 million investment, financed through Michigan’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund, delivered significant cost savings for residents. With construction now complete and the new pipeline fully in service, Benton Charter Township has strengthened its infrastructure and secured a more dependable wastewater system to serve the community for decades to come.
So… if your sewage flows from the Township or the City… you can sleep more securely tonight!
