By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
March 15, 2001
NEWTON Construction on a new low-pressure sewer system is expected to begin here within two weeks.
Engineer Tim Muse, who accepted the dual role of city engineer and public works director for Newton in January, said he expects approved plans for the system to be returned next week. The project is his first major project as city engineer.
A $135,000 project funded by a Community Development Block Grant, the new sewer system will provide service for the Crisis Intervention Center, Muse said. Engineering, construction, city labor and materials are included in the cost estimate.
The proposed center is part of the Central Mississippi Residential Center, a Mississippi Department of Mental Health facility that will be housed on the old Clarke College campus. Officials broke ground for the CMRC about a year ago. The intervention center, located on Highway 80 across from the campus, is scheduled to open this summer.
Muse said Newton officials decided to engineer and construct the system "in-house" because they are working on a strict deadline.
He expects construction to take about a month. New water lines will also be added.
The lift stations will give a couple of residents sewer service they didn't have. There is also a little room for development in the area, so future residents would benefit as well.
The lift station for the crisis center will be a manhole housing two pumps that alternate so they don't wear out as quickly, while the lift station for the residents will be a small, fiberglass basin with a grinder pump.
Muse is working on a future project to improve water service a map of all water lines in the city and a water system model.
Newton is a member of Mississippi One Call, which helps company, city and county employees and residents locate underground lines and cables before digging.
Muse said Newton has global positioning satellite (GPS) receivers, which allow the water lines to be more accurately mapped on a computer, and a geographic information system (GIS), which is "basically a map with information built into it."
He said the system is used to manage information such as what material the water lines are constructed of and their diameter.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.