An $18 million infrastructure water project is complete and is providing water to the new Tempur Sealy plant on Comfort Drive.
Officials from Indiana American Water as well as the state, county and city marked the completion of the project Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event was conducted at the new 1 million gallon water storage tank located near Tempur Sealy.
“There are a lot of hands and project partners who have made this project a reality,” said Matt Pine, Indiana American Water president. “We are now able to provide safe and viable water service for generations to come.”
Montgomery County Commissioner John Frey said the project is important for future growth along the Nucor Road corridor.
“This has been a long time coming,” Frey said. “It is an important piece for future growth and we are thrilled to have this new water infrastructure in place to support our infrastructure development zone.”
Initial discussions for the project began in 2017, but the project gained momentum after the legislature made changes to state law allowing partnerships between government entities and utility companies.
“Legislation passed in 2017 in the Indiana General Assembly has helped create and nurture these types of partnerships,” Prine said. “Indiana is blessed with an abundance of water resources and our Indiana legislature has advanced sound water policy over the last several years to fully leverage these resources as a competitive advantage.”
Funding for the project came from the State Water Infrastructure Fund, the American Rescue Plan Act, bond issues and capital funds provided by Indiana American Water.
The project, which included installing 1.4 miles of water mains, had to overcome several physical obstacles along the way. The water delivery system travels 8.3 miles south along Nucor Road, and project engineers not only had to lay pipe, but also go under the railroad and U.S 136. An area along Nucor Road had an unusual amount of rock, which surprised engineers.
The water project is expected to open the door for more industry and housing in the area.
