The City of Terre Haute, Ind., USA, this week reported that it has acquired the site of International Paper Co.'s containerboard mill there, which was permanently shutdown by IP in the fourth quarter of 2007. The City said it plans to use the mill's sewage treatment plant and lagoons to help solve some of its combined sewer overflow problems.
The City wants to store excess water from heavy rains in the site's lagoons until it can be treated at the municipal sewage treatment plant. All of the City's sewage runs through the former IP property. The lagoons are also adjacent to the City's main lift station.
"It's going to save the ratepayers and taxpayers quite a bit of money because it's the perfect place to put this," says Mayor Duke Bennett. According to the City, purchase of the IP land saved it $9 million. The City also plans to build within five years a trail and park south of where the lagoon will sit.
TAPPI
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