The New Albany Sewer Department has added a new fleet of vehicles that include an Aquatech Vac truck for cleaning sewer lines and a camera truck which will be used for televising the sewer lines in order to identify problem areas underground.

            To accommodate these trucks which must be maintained in an environment with a minimum temperature of 55 degrees, the New Albany Sewer Department constructed a new seven-bay storage unit which also store other equipment. “We didn't have a lot of storage space and we have nearly two million dollars worth of equipment to house and keep safe,” said Sam Lahanis, utility manager, New Albany Sewer Department. 

            The $412,000 cost for the new building was a good investment because off-site storage rental space will no longer need to be funded.  All six of the trucks, three pieces of construction equipment as well as support trailers and equipment and construction/ cleaning supplies for the New Albany Sewer Department's construction and cleaning/televising operations are now safely stored on-site. 

            “Lining material, which is used on the relining project, is also stored on-site within large crates each weighing approximately 2,500 pounds and containing approximately a thousand feet.  We are able to utilize new technology to install plastic material inside the sewer line man-hole to man-hole with no digging or destruction of the area,” said Lahanis.  The new technology also allows repair of a 300-500 foot sewer line without tearing up the streets and yards. Once a new lining is installed, outside ground water is eliminated from seeping into the sewer main line and only sanitary water flows.

            The new storage bays and the relining project are among the on-going initiatives of The New Albany Sewer Department that are correcting issues identified by and complying with the requirements of The Environmental Protection Agency. 

            "The City has made a substantial investment to correct issues identified by the EPA", said Lahanis who also urged residents and business owners who suspect a problem within the sewer line to immediately contact the New Albany Sewer Department.