Owensville City Engineer James Kolbe told the Board of Aldermen during Monday’s meeting that the wastewater project is moving along with work being done this week on North Third and West Moore Avenue with two to three weeks remaining before crews move on to a new area.

Don Maggi Inc. has been contracted for the work on the $831,585.83 project that is part of a larger, ongoing need for the city to improve its wastewater system as required by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The city has been making slow progress on the issue for the past 10 years.

Currently, the city faces the issue that when it rains, groundwater enters and overwhelms the collection system at the wastewater treatment facility due to sanitary sewer overflows (SSO).

Sanitary sewers collect and transport wastewater, stormwater and groundwater to treatment facilities. When an SSO occurs, it must be reported within 24 hours per a DNR mandate.

According to the DNR, potential related problems include inappropriate materials sent to the sewers, tree roots entering through defects or openings in a sewer line, leaky sewers, inappropriate connections, improper or inadequate maintenance and cleaning of sewers, inadequate pump maintenance and lack of backup power, undersized sewers and pumps as well as equipment failures and breaks.

Due to raw sewage potentially carrying bacteria, viruses, parasitic organisms, worms and inhaled mold and fungi, DNR warns SSOs can expose individuals to the risk of sewage in drinking water sources, harvested shellfish being contaminated and more leading to diseases such as mild cases of gastroenteritis, life-threatening ailments, property damage and environmental issues.

Included in the original bid for service provided by Donald Maggi, Inc., were sections of wastewater collection between Apple and Pear avenues from Oak Street to Maple Street, Marvin Avenue to the alley between Harrison and Marvin Avenue west of Cuba Street, backyards on Springfield Road and Walnut Street, Walnut Street to Circle Drive and south of Marvin Avenue and Second Street along with alternates Peter’s Avenue to Hickory Street (base) and Moore Avenue from Fourth Street to Second Street as well as Peter’s Avenue to Hickory Street (yard leg) and the alley south of Moore Avenue and Second Street.

Kolbe reported that the direction of work is partially defined by what is found when crews inspect manholes.

Owensville Parks and Recreation Director Angela Lairmore announced at Monday’s Board of Aldermen meeting that all incoming employees for the pool have passed pre-employment screening and the department is fully staffed with pool employees and lifeguards.