Lake area residents will soon be able to use two new sewers

Lake of the Ozarks – Lake area residents will soon see  two new area sewer systems begin construction. Sunrise Beach  and Rocky Mount have both been approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State revolving loan fund and have chosen contractors for the upcoming projects.

 

The Sunrise Beach Board meets to discuss
their wastewater option

Sunrise Beach began considering different wastewater options in early 2011, unanimously choosing SSE for their engineering needs. After a year of design, grant applications, and consideration, The Clean Water Commission placed the Sunrise Beach Phase 1 sewer project on the fundable list for $6.12 million in state revolving funds from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources. Village Mayor Curt Mooney stated, “Having SSE pick up the ball and run with it has made this wastewater system possible. SSE has worked hard to ensure the village received funding, and designed a system that can handle our needs as well as future growth. This is infrastructure Sunrise Beach has needed for some time now and I am glad we have SSE’s expertise on top of our project.”

 

The project was then fast tracked to fit construction of the new Woods Supermarket, located at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway F in Sunrise Beach, and to beat funding deadlines. On May 13 the village board approved the bid for construction by Don Maggi Construction of Rolla, MO. The project is set for final approval of funding closing on June 26, 2013, from which Don Maggi will have 270 days to complete construction.

 

The route of Phase I Sunrise Beach Sewer

The initial phase will consist of service to approximately 25 residential and 40 commercial customers, travelling from Spring Cove Road (Lake Road 5-39) to the Hurricane Deck Bridge. Local resident and business owner Ron Duggan commented, “Things now can start happening here in Sunrise Beach; it’s great for all the businesses here. We’re thrilled to have SSE on board. Stan has done a lot of great work here at Lake of the Ozarks. This is going to help bring more business to the area by being able to provide better services and infrastructure. This is a huge deal for the west side of the lake and could not have been done without the help of the folks at SSE.”

 

Rocky Mount is ready to begin their long awaited sewer improvement project. On June 6, 2013, bids were opened paving the way for J.C. Industries, Inc. and SSE to start the construction phase that will serve approximately 250 customers of the Rocky Mount area, with later phases planned to serve an additional 1200 customers.

 

Rocky Mount Sewer Board Chairman
Red Jennings

It has been just under six years since residents voted to bring sanitary sewer improvements to the Rocky Mount area. The project was slated to begin years ago but delays have set the project back until now. SSE was able to assist the District in receiving $3 million in grant funding as well as a $1 million loan to complete the necessary improvements. District Chairman Red Jennings said, “SSE has been instrumental in helping the District get the funds needed to bring sewer to our area. The failing septic systems around the lake are contributing to pollution, lower home values, and dangerous ecological impact to our lake. The system designed by SSE will be a huge step in the right direction for keeping the lake healthy for ourselves and future generations.”

 

A user rate hearing is being set for Rocky Mount, and the next step will be for the MoDNR to award the Notification to Proceed to the District, green lighting the way for SSE and J.C. Industries to move forward.

 

As part of  SSE’s  commitment to environmental sustainability of the lake, they  included in the design ‘growth socks’ on the lake front lying residences connected to the sewer system. These socks provide an area of native Missouri plant growth that naturally provides for the cleaning of storm water run-off, one of the largest contributing factors to pollution of the Lake of the Ozarks.  Local watchdog group Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance (LOWA) has promoted the use of the growth socks, and Director Donna Swall stated, “Including these socks in the design is a key part of keeping our lake clean. SSE’s use of modern technology in such a simple and cost effective way shows their forward thinking and willingness to find the best solution to each unique situation.”

 

The Rocky Mount Sewer District

The District and SSE are excited to see the hard work start to come to fruition. Future phases are already planned to bring the whole of the District into the state of the art aeration plant that will allow residents to be in compliance with state mandated wastewater requirements.

 

SSE owner and founder Stan Schultz said, "It’s projects like this that remind me of why I became an engineer and started this company. A beautiful area like the Lake of the Ozarks should remain beautiful. The only way to do that is by giving those of us who own homes in the area the means to do so. By providing more centralized sewers, less raw sewage is flowing into the lake, where my children, my employees, their families, and even I swim and fish."