Works board OKs substation plans

The Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved $132,190 for design services for a new electrical substation, needed to feed the new fleet of pumps handling wastewater during rainstorms.

As part of its settlement with the federal government to prevent the overflow of raw sewage into the rivers during heavy rains, Fort Wayne will pump wastewater across the Maumee River to holding ponds where it will stay until it can be treated.

That requires more and bigger pumps, however, requiring an upgraded substation. Officials said Spectrum Engineering Corp., which designed the station, also determined that the city can save money by owning and operating the substation itself.