02-15-2013 Water Pumping at Former New Energy Site

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SOU TH 8F 4 � i r-- x x 1565 CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR OFFICE OF THE MAYOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15,2013 Contact:Mike Schmuhl Phone: 574-235-9261 WATER PUMPING AT FORMER NEW ENERGY SITE Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Councilman Oliver Davis Worked on Issue Impacting Neighborhood SOUTH BEND A single water pump at the former New Energy ethanol plant was turned on Friday afternoon as the City of South Bend reached an understanding with the outgoing owners. The pump will take roughly four million gallons of water out of the ground each day and the Department of Public Works will continue to regularly monitor the groundwater table. It may take a few days for residents to see a difference in their affected houses. "This is a very unique situation and we believe that this temporary solution will bring some relief to nearby residents," said Mayor Buttigieg. Residents in the area started experiencing water in their homes when the former ethanol plant went bankrupt and ceased operations. The plant had been pumping over six million gallons of water from the ground every day. Mayor Buttigieg also said he might be asking the Common Council for funding to assist with the operation of the pump until a full-time operator can take over the plant. Councilman Oliver Davis organized five meetings through the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee to address the issue. As the chairman of the committee, Councilman Davis consulted residents, other Council Members, and worked on the issue with Director of Public Works Eric Horvath, Chief of Staff Mike Schmuhl, and Gary Gilot, the former head of Public Works and the chairman of the Board of Public Works. "This is a good example of the City Administration and Common Council working together," added Mayor Buttigieg. 1400 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING•227 W.JEFFERSON BOULEVARD•SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601 PHONE 574/235-9261 • FAx 574/235-9892 • TTY 574/235-5567