New Richmond residents who don’t have sewer could receive the service in the future as part of a wastewater treatment master plan Steve Canter, environmental engineer, is developing with the village.

“We have portions of the village with residents that aren’t covered by public sewers,” said village administrator Dave Kennedy. “You have a lot of people who want sewer.”

Providing these residents sewer is not an easy task however, with planning what pipe sizes are needed and what areas sewer pipes can even reach. In addition, many residents request the service, and the waste water treatment plant in New Richmond only has a certain capacity.

Canter came to the May 10 council meeting to discuss developing a master plan with council members. Canter was not able to explain exact details since he hasn’t created the plan yet, but council members discussed the idea of expansion and what was important to include in the plan.

“When we plan we want to be prepared that what we spend money for today is usable out in the future,” said Nick Wolf, council member. “I just think we need to plan on those things and put in big enough lines.”

Council discussed several areas that have requested and need sewer services including Robin Hill Drive and Indian Ridge Trail. They also discussed evaluating what areas could see significant growth, and will need sewer in the future.

“We will have what we believe is 20-year growth,” Canter said about what will be included in the plan.

Kennedy said Canter will start on the plan sometime this summer. The next step will be looking for funding necessary to extend lines. Council members inquired whether the construction could be covered with grants or whether funding would have to come from other sources.

“They don’t give grants for something that has a user fee,” Kennedy said.

But Kennedy did suggest using the Ohio Water Development Authority when the time comes to receive funding. The OWDA provides financial assistance for qualified environmental infrastructure projects through loans to local governments in the state.

Once sewer lines are available and residents tap into the lines, Kennedy said the tap fees will help pay off the loan.

Kennedy said that the village’s wastewater treatment plant is an important part of the village’s growth, and currently it has capacity to expand. Council members will further discuss the wastewater master treatment plan when it is developed.

“The wastewater treatment master plan will allow us to plan for future development,” Kennedy said. “While also focusing on how to serve existing residents which are currently un-sewered.”