Sewer replacement project underneath Lake Decatur underway to protect source of drinking water

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A project is underway in Decatur to replace an aging section of force main sewer on the east side of Lake Decatur.

The project will replace a 10" cast iron pipe force main that was built in the 1950's with an expanded 14" PVC force main that will allow for redundancy and additional conveyance capacity from the southeast side of Decatur and Mt. Zion.

The project was awarded to Burdick Plumbing.

Oak Ridge Drive at Lost Bridge Road will be closed while the project is underway, which is expected to last 45 days, weather permitting.

The new larger force main is part of 28 miles of force main maintained by the Sanitary District of Decatur and will provide additional capacity and help prevent sewer overflows, especially during high-flow conditions like heavy rainfall, reducing the likelihood of a sewer backup in Lake Decatur.

The new 1000 ft section of force main will be installed by horizontal directional drilling equipment under Lake Decatur extending from the Lost Bridge Lift Station to an existing force main near the Decatur Park District’s Commodores Yacht Club.

The $2.9 million project will be funded using the District’s Renewal Fund and will not result in any additional costs to residents through taxes or fees.

The Sanitary District of Decatur is the regional wastewater treatment authority for central Macon County providing wastewater treatment services to more than 80,000 residents of Decatur, Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Argenta, Oreana, and for industrial and commercial users in the Decatur metropolitan area.