In operation for just over a month, the Three Rivers Protection and Overflow Reduction tunnel has already captured 15 million gallons of combined sewage, keeping it out of our rivers and sending it to our Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment.
News release from Fort Wayne City Utilities:
Power, Protection, Top Taste Superb Performance + Major Successes Yield Banner Year
Early Tunnel Results Show 15M Gallon River Sewage ReductionFort Wayne, Indiana (December 31, 2024) — Pioneering efforts, historic initiatives and award-winning, great-tasting water topped the list of accomplishments for City Utilities in 2024.
While dedicated to delivering high-quality water, stormwater and sewer services to its customers every day, City Utilities also brought trailblazing projects to the community this year.
The creation of a Microgrid system that powers the Three Rivers Filtration Plant, Water Pollution Control Plant, and the Wet-Weather Pump Station was one of those singular achievements. Using over 12,000 floating solar panels and a battery storage system to ensure reliable power on cloudy days, the Microgrid operates 24/7. One of only a few in the nation, it combines solar energy with methane gas from high-strength food waste and natural gas to optimize cost-efficient energy production and bolster resilience in severe weather-related natural disasters.
Fort Wayne residents had much to celebrate in November when the biggest public works project in Fort Wayne history was placed into service. The Deep Rock Sewer Tunnel, known as the Three Rivers Protection and Overflow Reduction (3RPORT) Tunnel, will keep nearly 900 million gallons of combined sewage out of our rivers during rain events, protect neighborhoods and reduce backups. It is an engineering and construction marvel five miles long and 220 feet underground, with multiple drop shafts and consolidation sewers.
In operation for just over a month in 2024, the tunnel has already captured 15 million gallons of combined sewage, keeping it out of our rivers and sending it to our Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment. The massive tunnel will serve the community into the 22nd century.
2024 saw our great-tasting water in the spotlight once again. For the third year in a row, the water produced at the Three Rivers Filtration Plant was deemed the best-tasting water in Indiana.
“This year was a milestone in advancing environmental stewardship and community well-being,” said Director of City Utilities Kumar Menon. “We’ve implemented groundbreaking initiatives that drive economic growth and position our community for a resilient and sustainable future, all while making meaningful investments in our neighborhoods. In the New Year, we are determined to carry this momentum forward as we strengthen the utility and advance opportunities that benefit our community.”
Our commitment to replacing 14 miles of deteriorating water lines continued in 2024 with projects in Crestwood Colony, Summerfield Community, South Suburban Civic, Petitt-Rudisill, Suburban Heights, Lakewood Park, and along Bluffton Road, Lima Road and Wilke Drive.
Efforts to help residents eliminate the lead service lines on their properties took place in Harvester, Eastside Community, Renaissance Point, Hamilton Association, Northside, and Forest Park neighborhoods.
Stormwater and drainage improvements occurred in Congress-McKinnie, Caribe Colony, Langford Oaks, Hollywood Acres and Rolling Hills neighborhoods.
Consolidation sewer construction work to serve the neighborhoods of Indian Village, Southwood Park and Woodhurst took place near and in Foster Park. Those projects will wrap up in 2025 and are part of the 18-year Long-Term Control Plan and Consent Decree, which enters its final year in 2025.
In 2025, $95 million in project improvements will be underway. Drainage improvements will occur near the neighborhoods around Southgate Plaza and the Tamarack neighborhood, with ongoing work to protect homes and businesses along the Pierson Drain. A septic elimination project will begin in Vallyd Acres, and water mains will be replaced in the Victoria Park neighborhood and areas along Anthony and Pettit. A complete list of 2025 projects will be announced in the spring.
2024 Awards
- Best Tasting Water in Indiana – Alliance of Indiana Rural Water
- Community Green Project of the Year Award – Microgrid Project – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM)
- Utility of the Future Today – Energy Generation and Recovery (Microgrid)– Water Environment Federation (WEF)
- Partnership for Safe Water Director’s Award – Water Distribution – American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
- Laboratory Excellence Award – Water Pollution Control Plant – Indiana Water Environment Association (IWEA)
- Excellence in Safety Award – Water Pollution Control Plant – Indiana Water Environment Association (IWEA)
- Peak Performance Platinum Award – Water Pollution Control Plant – National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
- Business Excellence Award – Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
- Mayor’s Arts Award – Clean Drains Fort Wayne: Be River SmART – Arts United
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