RACINE — A dedication will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the newly upgraded Syracuse Racine Regional Sewer District to honor the late Hilton Wolfe Jr.

The Syracuse Racine Regional Sewer District recently completed a project to upgrade their wastewater system. The wastewater collection system was originally constructed in 1981. No significant upgrade or extensions had been made to the system since its original construction.

Normal deterioration of wastewater system components occurred over the years. The District hired Triad Engineering, Inc. to complete an evaluation of the wastewater system in September 2008. This evaluation indicated sewer gases had deteriorated manholes throughout the Villages of Syracuse and Racine. All pump stations were in need of rehabilitation. The 27-year old wastewater treatment plant was in need of repair/rehabilitation. Even with regular maintenance mechanical components at the plant were nearing the point of failure.

In late 2008, the Syracuse Racine Regional Sewer District Board was approached by residents of the Tackerville and Bashan Road areas who inquired about connecting to the District’s wastewater system. The Meigs County Health Department had issued an order prohibiting the installation of any new on-lot wastewater treatment systems in the Tackerville area.

The Syracuse Racine Regional Sewer District Board under leadership of then President Hilton Wolfe, Jr. decided to rehabilitate the manholes, pump stations and the wastewater treatment plant. The board held several public meetings to provide information about connecting the sewer system to residents in the Tackerville area. After these meetings residents voted to join the Syracuse Racine Regional Sewer District service area.

The recently completed project included:

• Inspection and rehabilitation of manholes as needed throughout the system

• Rehabilitation of all original pump stations in the system

• Rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant, which included installation of new U.V. disinfection equipment, aeration equipment, SCADA and rehabilitation of the oxidation ditches

• Construction of a sewer extension to serve residents in the Tackerville and Bashan Road areas

The total project cost was $5,288,000. The District was fortunate to receive a significant amount of grant funding for the project. Funding assistance was provided by:

• USDA-Rural Development grant, $2,692,000

• USDA-Rural Development low interest loan, $1,747,000

• CDBG funds through the Meigs County Commissioners, $500,000

• Appalachian Regional Commission grant, $250,000

• Ohio Public Works Commission Loan Assistance, $99,0000

The project was completed using 69% grant funds.

The public ceremony on Saturday will honor Wolfe, who passed away in 2009 before the project was complete. The ceremony will be held at the Syracuse Racine Regional Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Plant at 5 p.m. on August 25, 2012 for the unveiling of a plaque to honor Wolfe for his leadership and years of service to the Syracuse Racine Regional Sewer District. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.