Featured Project: Enhancing Resilience in Decatur's Wastewater System

Clark Dietz is proud to partner with the Sanitary District of Decatur (SDD) in the design and implementation of a new forcemain that will significantly improve the reliability and capacity of the wastewater collection system serving Decatur, Illinois, and its surrounding communities. This project is a testament to our commitment to engineering solutions that enhance the quality of life for the residents of Decatur.

Project Overview

The Sanitary District of Decatur operates a wastewater treatment plant that serves over 80,000 residents across Decatur, Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Argenta, Oreana, and nearby industrial and commercial users. The Lost Bridge Lift Station, a critical component of the SDD’s infrastructure, collects residential sanitary sewer flow from the east side of Lake Decatur. To ensure the continued reliability and capacity of the system, Clark Dietz has designed a new 14” forcemain that will be installed via horizontal directional drilling (HDD) under Lake Decatur.

This new forcemain will replace an aging 10” cast iron pipe installed in the 1950s, supplement the capacity of an existing 14” PVC forcemain installed in 1986, and provide redundancy that is essential during high-flow conditions, such as heavy rain events. The project is a proactive measure to prevent sewer overflows and reduce the likelihood of backups, ultimately protecting Lake Decatur and the surrounding community.

Clark Dietz’s Commitment to Community

At Clark Dietz, we believe that engineering is about more than just infrastructure—it’s about community. Our work on the Decatur forcemain project is a prime example of how we strive to engineer quality of life for the communities we serve.

Andrea Bretl, PE, Central Illinois Area Manager at Clark Dietz, reflects on the importance of this project:

“This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to community. By enhancing the reliability and capacity of Decatur’s wastewater system, we are not only supporting the health and safety of residents but also contributing to the long-term resilience and sustainability of the Sanitary District. At Clark Dietz, we believe that every project we undertake is an opportunity to engineer a better quality of life for the people we serve.”

Project Impact

The installation of the new 14” forcemain is a critical step toward ensuring the continued functionality of Decatur’s wastewater system. By investing in infrastructure that supports redundancy and increased capacity, SDD is proactively addressing future challenges, safeguarding public health, and protecting the environment.

Funded by the District’s Renewal Fund, this $2.9 million project will not require additional costs to residents through taxes or fees. Once completed, it will stand as a key component of the 28 miles of forcemain maintained by SDD, providing Decatur and its surrounding communities with the robust wastewater infrastructure they need for years to come.

As we continue to work closely with SDD and other partners, Clark Dietz remains dedicated to delivering engineering solutions that uphold our core values and make a positive, lasting impact on the communities we serve.