Sandwich agrees to treat sewage with ultraviolet light

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SANDWICH - The city will agree to install additional sewage-treatment equipment at the request of several environmental groups, Mayor Tom Thomas said Monday. When the city's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, permit came up for renewal this year, Friends of the Fox River, Boy Scouts of America, Prairie River Networks, the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club and a private citizen in Aurora objected to the renewal and requested a hearing before the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Thomas said. At issue was whether the city should have to disinfect its water, a requirement under state water regulations that Sandwich and many other Illinois communities had been given exemptions from over the years. Thomas said that he has concluded that it will be less expensive for the city to install treatment machinery than go through hearings each time the permit is up for renewal. He also said the city will not be able to get permits to expand the plant in the future unless the device is in place. The system will cost $477,000 to install and $3,100 each year to operate. According to Larry Hake, superintendent of public works, wastewater will be treated with ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses before being discharged into a local stream. Funding for the system will most likely be raised through increases in sewer rates, Thomas said. It will be in place and operational in two years. Also Monday: --Attorney Bernard Paul also explained two new city ordinances. One would authorize an annexation agreement with developer Far West Properties LLC. Aldermen did not have questions for the developer regarding the land that will become its 360-acre Deerpath Woods subdivision. The other ordinance would prohibit open burning in the city. The ordinances will be before the council again at a future meeting. --Jose Rivera was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Thomas said he will appoint another person for a second vacancy on the board at the next regular council meeting in two weeks. --Aldermen approved the purchase of a portable defibrillator for $2,248 for the city. Second Ward Alderman Karl Peterson said the purchase was required to keep city hall in compliance with new federal regulations. --Police Chief Rick Olson announced Jerry Ikemire has been hired as the city's newest patrol officer.