History
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The Greater Peoria Sanitary and Sewage Disposal District is a unit of local government authorized by an election held on June 6, 1927. The purpose of the District is to collect the wastewater of the District (domestic and industrial) and convey that wastewater to a facility for treatment in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Illinois and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The District currently serves an area of approximately 66 square miles and treats wastewater collected from 716 miles of sewer. The District’s treatment plant is located at 2322 South Darst Street, Peoria. Municipalities served include Peoria, Peoria Heights, Bartonville, West Peoria and Bellevue, plus adjacent unincorporated areas. An industrial area located near Mapleton is also served by agreement. The District is governed by a 5 member Board of Trustees who are appointed by the Chairperson of the Peoria County Board of Supervisors with the advice and consent of the County Commissioners. The Trustees establish all District policy and adopt rules and regulations governing the operation of the District in accordance with the laws of the United States and State of Illinois. Board meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Tuesday of each month, 9:30 A.M. at the District’s office, 2322 South Darst Street, Peoria. |
Then and Now... |
Waste Treatment Facilities:
The District began treating sewage in May 1931 with a process consisting of physical separation of solid material and biological treatment of oxygen demanding waste. Several significant improvements have occurred through the years; however, the original processes remain in use today. During 2020, an average volume of 25 million gallons were treated each day. The treatment process removed over 95% of the oxygen demanding organics. Reclaimed water is returned to the Illinois River near the Kickapoo Creek. Wastewater generated in the service area has historically been heavily industrial in nature and today, approximately 70% of the oxygen demanding waste is from industrial users. The treatment process converts dissolved pollutants to biological solids which are beneficially used as either cover at a local landfill or applied to agricultural land. Operation and performance of the treatment facility is monitored and regulated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The District began treating sewage in May 1931 with a process consisting of physical separation of solid material and biological treatment of oxygen demanding waste. Several significant improvements have occurred through the years; however, the original processes remain in use today. During 2020, an average volume of 25 million gallons were treated each day. The treatment process removed over 95% of the oxygen demanding organics. Reclaimed water is returned to the Illinois River near the Kickapoo Creek. Wastewater generated in the service area has historically been heavily industrial in nature and today, approximately 70% of the oxygen demanding waste is from industrial users. The treatment process converts dissolved pollutants to biological solids which are beneficially used as either cover at a local landfill or applied to agricultural land. Operation and performance of the treatment facility is monitored and regulated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Sewage Collection System:
The sewage collection system is managed by the Operations and Planning and Construction Departments. Their functions include cleaning and repair of the sewer pipes and pumping facilities, extending sewers to serve growth and development, and maintaining records associated with sewers and connections to the sewers. The District sewer system is generally the common pipe serving two or more properties. The pipe connecting the building to the District sewer is owned and maintained by the building owner.
District sewers are regularly cleaned with high pressure water to maintain free flowing conditions. Any sewer service problems, such as poor drainage or odors, should be referred to the Operations staff. District personnel are available to investigate problems 24 hours a day. Once contacted, we will advise the caller if the problem is associated with their building sewer. If so, the District does not pay for or reimburse owners for these types of problems.
New connections to District sewers or repair of a building sewer are governed by a permit process. At the time new connections are made, connection charges that reflect the capital investment in sewer pipe is paid. District staff will inspect the work for compliance with accepted construction practices and record the location of the pipe for future reference. There is no charge for a permit to repair an old pipe. Records of building sewer locations are available for most properties served by the District and are available from the Planning and Construction Department.
The sewage collection system is managed by the Operations and Planning and Construction Departments. Their functions include cleaning and repair of the sewer pipes and pumping facilities, extending sewers to serve growth and development, and maintaining records associated with sewers and connections to the sewers. The District sewer system is generally the common pipe serving two or more properties. The pipe connecting the building to the District sewer is owned and maintained by the building owner.
District sewers are regularly cleaned with high pressure water to maintain free flowing conditions. Any sewer service problems, such as poor drainage or odors, should be referred to the Operations staff. District personnel are available to investigate problems 24 hours a day. Once contacted, we will advise the caller if the problem is associated with their building sewer. If so, the District does not pay for or reimburse owners for these types of problems.
New connections to District sewers or repair of a building sewer are governed by a permit process. At the time new connections are made, connection charges that reflect the capital investment in sewer pipe is paid. District staff will inspect the work for compliance with accepted construction practices and record the location of the pipe for future reference. There is no charge for a permit to repair an old pipe. Records of building sewer locations are available for most properties served by the District and are available from the Planning and Construction Department.
Financing:
The District accounts for expenses and revenues in two categories: Operations and Capital Improvements/Debt Service. Operations include salaries, services, supplies, utilities and insurance. Capital improvements provide for the replacement and expansion of the sewerage infrastructure. Debt service pays off borrowed funds. The Board’s financial policy requires costs to be recovered from user fees that reflect the benefit received. While the District has the authority to levy a real estate tax, no tax levy has been made since the user charge system was started in 1980.
Operating costs total approximately $11.2 million for the 2019 fiscal year. These costs are primarily recovered through the user charge system. Sewer bills are calculated on the amount of water a property consumes or direct measurement of the sewage flow. User charge rates are reviewed annually and adjusted to meet operating expenses. Commercial and Industrial customers are billed based on the volume of sewage generated and the strength of that sewage. Single-family residential accounts receive a 7% discount, year round, as an allowance for water purchased but not draining to the sewer.
The Capital Improvements budget anticipates expenditures for continuing and proposed treatment plant improvements, sewer replacement and expansion, plus equipment replacements. Capital improvements and debt service expenditures are funded through several sources.
The District accounts for expenses and revenues in two categories: Operations and Capital Improvements/Debt Service. Operations include salaries, services, supplies, utilities and insurance. Capital improvements provide for the replacement and expansion of the sewerage infrastructure. Debt service pays off borrowed funds. The Board’s financial policy requires costs to be recovered from user fees that reflect the benefit received. While the District has the authority to levy a real estate tax, no tax levy has been made since the user charge system was started in 1980.
Operating costs total approximately $11.2 million for the 2019 fiscal year. These costs are primarily recovered through the user charge system. Sewer bills are calculated on the amount of water a property consumes or direct measurement of the sewage flow. User charge rates are reviewed annually and adjusted to meet operating expenses. Commercial and Industrial customers are billed based on the volume of sewage generated and the strength of that sewage. Single-family residential accounts receive a 7% discount, year round, as an allowance for water purchased but not draining to the sewer.
The Capital Improvements budget anticipates expenditures for continuing and proposed treatment plant improvements, sewer replacement and expansion, plus equipment replacements. Capital improvements and debt service expenditures are funded through several sources.