The South Bend Common Council has approved $36 million for upgrading the city’s Sewage Works system, addressing issues outlined in the Clean Water Act.

The improvements aim to improve the wastewater treatment plant, preventing the discharge of waste into the St. Joseph River.

Under the current setup, sanitary and storm sewer lines typically pass through the treatment plant on dry days. However, during rainy periods when the city experiences increased water flow, excess water is released into the river, which federal regulators demanded they fix.

Back in 2021, the city reached an agreement with the Department of Justice, the EPA, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to spend more than $275 million dollars to upgrade the sewer system by 2031.