A task force will be created to look at the possibility of creating a countywide regional sewer district.
During the Marshall County Commissioner’s meeting on Monday, Plan Director Ty Adley and head of the Health Department, Christine Stinson discussed the issue of water quality, especially in several of the lakes in the county. Stinson said with so many former summer cottages being changed into permanent family living, those residents are now beginning to experience septic failures.
The proposal is to create a task force to look at the issues and the feasibility of creating a regional district. Stinson said the makeup of the task force would include a commissioner representative, a member of the county council, the head of the health department, the county plan director, building inspector and a couple from the general public.
Stinson noted that both Cook and Holm Lakes were recognized in a 2005 study by the state for pollution. She also noted that as far back at 1951 the Indiana State Health Department has encouraged exploring all options prior to approving an “on site” system. Stinson told the commissioner last year the Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation District tested 12 along the river the entire year and results show all sites tested over the permissible limits, some with 80% human E. coli.
While the commissioner do not have to approve the creation of a task force, they were somewhat supportive of the proposal and commissioner Mike Delp volunteered to be the commissioner rep.
