East Webster sewer construction moves underground as North Webster district weighs future finances

Sewer-pipe installation is moving into the East Webster Lake service area near North Webster after Selge Construction reached near-full mobilization, according to the Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District’s July 13, 2026, meeting.

InkFreeNews reported the development July 14, 2026, after the meeting at the North Webster Community Center. The work will extend wastewater service to a defined East Webster Lake area associated with the regional sewer system—not to every North Webster property.

Underground work is next

Engineering consultant Steve Henschen told the district board that most construction materials had arrived, a storage yard had been established and the contractor was nearly fully mobilized. Sewer-pipe installation was expected to begin the following week.

The district’s July 8 construction schedule and map identify three general work areas and the months crews are expected to operate in each location. District officials said the information will be updated as construction progresses, so property owners should treat it as a planning reference rather than a guarantee of exact construction dates or road impacts.

Most easements are signed

The district reported 188 signed easements, representing about 94% of the properties expected to receive service. Eleven easements remained outstanding, while three properties received exemptions because they have approved septic systems.

The board also approved Change Order No. 3, reducing Selge Construction’s contract by $32,040.36. The reduction primarily removes grinder stations and related work for exempt properties and accounts for several grinder-station location changes.

Combined change orders have reduced the contract by about $117,000. Along with payments from customers requesting nonstandard grinder-station installations, those reductions increased the project’s contingency balance from roughly $237,000 to $415,000. The contract change does not, by itself, establish a reduction in individual customer bills.

Debt and possible future rates

The East Webster project carries approximately $7.4 million in debt. About $5 million may be forgiven if the district satisfies State Revolving Fund requirements through March 2029; the forgiveness is conditional and not guaranteed.

Financial consultant Jeff Rowe separately discussed the original Tippecanoe-Chapman service area’s finances. He reported approximately $3.81 million in outstanding debt there, projected a possible year-end shortfall of about $141,000 after debt service and estimated that an 18% rate adjustment could eventually be needed to meet required debt-service coverage if costs and revenues continue at their current pace.

That 18% figure was a financial projection, not an approved rate change for East Webster or the district’s customers. Board members stressed that no immediate rate increase was approved or planned. The district said it is reviewing the issue well before any decision may be necessary.

Bridge condition will be documented

During public comment, an East Webster property owner raised concerns about an older bridge serving an island property. Henschen said the sewer line would be bored beneath the water and that the contractor would document the bridge’s condition before equipment crosses it. He said contractor insurance would address damage caused by the work.

Residents and property owners in the East Webster service area can monitor district notices, the July 8 schedule and map, and upcoming meeting materials for updates about work locations, access routes, grinder-station placement and construction timing.

Sources

• East Webster Construction Nears Full Mobilization
• East Webster service-area page and July 8 construction schedule
• Indiana SRF Wastewater Collection System Addendum 1