By Bob Ball
Could water pumped from Lockport Township’s water system in St. Joseph County make possible new commercial development along the US-131 corridor in both St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties? Could it provide an adequate, more reliable supply for Schoolcraft Village?
Engineering consultants retained by Lockport presented ways to make that happen at a September meeting of the village council.
Options were presented by Kenneth Jones of the South Bend firm of Jones, Petrie and Rafinski.
Lockport Township, adjacent to Three Rivers, operates a water system which serves its customers and nearby Fabius and Park townships.
Interest in furnishing more water north into Park Township and perhaps into Schoolcraft is heating up to support commercial and industrial development along US-131. And the village, Council President Michael Rochholz said, has been seeking an additional well for years.
Jones recommended an option which divides a $10.7 million project into two nearly equally priced parts: One, limited to the existing system and estimated at $5.45 million, would include a third well, complete a loop into adjacent Park Township and other improvements up to the county line.
The second part, estimated at $5.235 million, would extend the system north into Kalamazoo County, providing access to Schoolcraft Township for US-131 development and connecting to the village water system.
It would raise rates for water, Jones said, with rates paying about $4.1 million, assessments based on more than 600 users paying the rest – an amount which could be paid in part from the village, in part from the users.
Like many small communities which have kept water expenses low, Jones said, “You waited too long” to act.
Village President Michael Rochholz thanked Jones. He and other council members didn’t comment about the numbers. Rochholz said, “You delivered on what I asked you to do.” A representative from village’s engineering consultant, Prein & Newhof, attended the meeting. That company will be asked to examine the proposals, Rochholz said.
“I thought it was excellent,” Schoolcraft Township Supervisor Don Ulsh said of the presentation. “Everyone understood what he was saying.” Ulsh said extension of the water system would “open up opportunities” for companies to move in. “A lot want water and sewer,” he said. He noted that a water system would mean insurance rates for businesses “go way down.”
Although there has been ongoing public discussion of a wastewater disposal system in the US-131 corridor but no action, those considering expansion of a water system acknowledge that businesses attracted to the area may eventually push for a sewer system.
