Odessa sewer project gets underway

ODESSA--Vacri Construction broke ground Monday, June 28 on the first step of the two-phase sewer project that is expected to last into next year and cost $4.7 million. The first part of the project will be to ensure the Odessa-Montour high school is fully up and running by the time students return in the fall.
"The sewer improvements are huge," said Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer. "First of all the school had some leach fields that were failing and this allowed the school to connect to the sewer system without having to tear up their fields to fix (the issues)."
Along with the required connections for the sewer system, the first phase also includes the installation of a three-acre marshfield and is expected to be finished no later than Sept. 1, well in time before students begin to return for the fall.
The second phase of the sewer expansion project is expected to begin next spring.
"The sewer will be put down Main Street connecting all the businesses and a small amount of houses within the sewer district that was established two years ago... and allows businesses to expand because they have been limited for years based on the size of their septic system due to being next to a protected trout stream," Messmer said.
Once the sewer connections along Main Street are up and running, Messmer mentioned he not only expects existing businesses to take advantage of the upgrade by expanding but that more businesses might become interested in the area.
"We want to expand or at least recruit businesses to come in and open on Main Street," Messmer stated. "There is open land available for people to build houses as well, so this project and the water project help with the revitalization and expansion of Odessa."
Odessa has obtained roughly $700,000 in grant money for the project and is actively seeking at least another million dollars as well.
The estimated $6.5 million water project is also expected to break ground next spring.
"The water is going to be a huge impact because while it is safe to drink, it is ruining hot water heaters, clothes and washers so the quality of life for the residents of Odessa will dramatically improve and make houses in Odessa even more desirable for people looking for a nice quiet community to settle in," Messmer added.
With the preliminary report for the water treatment plant completed, Messmer said most if not all issues regarding the brown-colored water have already been identified.
"A fair amount of water lines in the village will have to be replaced with a new state-of-the-art treatment process to ensure we meet all health department requirements going forward," Messmer commented.
Once both projects are completed Messmer said he expects a large jump in the quality of life for Odessa residents.
"These projects will not only make it easier to bring in new residents and businesses, but it will also have a (tangible) impact on the lives of the residents already here," Messmer said.