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The Gosport Water project began in 2022 when an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant funded an engineering study for all of the town’s utilities.

The study outlined three areas of highest priority for updates. The first area would be the almost 50year-old drinking water treatment plant, located at 354 E. Walnut St.. A plan to build a new facility at the same location and demolish the old building was listed as highest priority.

The second area was listed as replacement of thef our oldest water mains in the system, made of cast iron and showing signs of corrosion. These are located near the intersections of Greencastle avenue and Jefferson street, Hoover and Church streets, Fifth and Goss streets, and the area on Main street between Fifth and Third streets.

The final area for updates includes a service line replacement project which involves the line from the water main to the building, which is not town property, but rather a customer-owned line.

The project includes replacement of all galvanized line throughout the town which includes the portion of the line owned by water customers in order to be in compliance with a new federal regulation.

This will replace lead goose-necks in a short portion of the pipe connection; although it is important to add that Gosport has tested safe for levels of lead in drinking water. 

Improvements will aid in Gosport’s water-loss issue which, in 2021 was at almost 30 percent and had been climbing at a rate of about one percent each year.

According to Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), a water-loss percentage of 25 is an issue. In comparison, an acceptable goal for water-loss is 15 percent. Water-loss occurs mainly in the form of leaks in the system before the water passes the private meters. The total project cost is estimated at 5.15 million dollars, though the town will receive a $700,000 grant from OCRA as well as 2 million dollars in forgivable loans for construction of the drinking water plant. The remaining 2.45 million dollars will be achieved through low-to-zero interest loans, with a rate of three percent or lower. 

Customers will also see a change in water rates, with a two-phase increase beginning now. The first phase will bring drinking water rates up to $53.28 for the minimum usage of 3,000 gallons. The second phase, which will begin in January 2025, will see that increase to $59.67 for3,000 gallons.

For comparison:

Spencer currently charges $54.65 for 3,000gallons, ($42.11 for a minimum of 2,000 gallons and an additional $12.54 for each additional 1,000 gallons used, up to 8,000 gallons);

Martinsville charges $42.25 for 3,000 gallons (a flat fee of $11.95 plus $10.10 for each 1,000 gallons);

Bloomington charges $24.35 for 3,000 gallons ($7.93meter rate plus $3.28 flat fee for fire protection, and $4.38 per 1,000 gallons used); and,

Paragon charges a minimum fee of $21.03 per3,690 gallons (with an additional $5.70 per 1,000 gallons used).

These rates do not include storm water and sewer rates.

Before the new ordinance, Gosport had not increased its water rates since 2005. In comparison, BBP, the entity responsible for Spencer’s drinking water, conducts a rate study every two to three years as treatment supplies, energy and the cost of manpower increases. 

Customers will also notice a change in the way they can make payments. Payments can now be made in person or over the phone during regular business hours from 7:30 a.m. tp 4:30 p.m. (closed for one hour during lunch) via the town’s new utility clerk, Wanda White.

Checks, money orders, cash and card are accepted. Card payments will require a 3.75 percent additional fee. Payment can also be placed in the drop box located at 7 E. Main St. after hours or mailed.

The new ordinance also includes a $15 late fee for payments made after the fifth of each month.

As Gosport’s drinking water now has a clear future, there are simple steps homeowners and renters can take to reduce their water usage, and thus, perhaps their bill.

In the average American household, flushing the toilet accounts for the greatest percentage of water use or about 24 percent. This is followed by the shower and faucets which each make up about 20 percent of total water used. Though not all citizens may be rushing to replace their toilets with new low-flow models, they can immediately reduce water consumption at the commode by filling a container with water and placing it in the toilet’s tank. The larger the container, the more water will be displaced, and the less water it will take to fill the tank; and therefore less water will be flushed. Just make sure the container doesn’t interfere with any of the moving parts in the tank. 

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