SEWER DISTRICT CHOSES ENGINEER

FRUITLAND -- Cape Girardeau County Waste Water District No. 1 has chosen an engineering firm to conduct a preliminary survey for the district's proposed unified sewage system.

The sewer district's board chose Simmons Engineering Co. of Republic during a recent meeting at Fruitland Fire Station No. 1.

Mark Kasten, president of the board, said the district would like to have a report from a Simmons' survey by Nov. 15, the deadline for developmental block grants, grants from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and other sources of funds. The board has the power to raise money from grants, loans and user fees but can't levy taxes.

"If everything falls into place by November, we can take the financial package to the voters by next April," Kasten said. Voters will then decide whether the board can float a bond issue to build the sewer system.

The sewer district, whose borders span from north of Pocahontas south to near the Jackson city limit and includes land on both sides of Interstate 55, was formed by voters in the area in November. About 2,700 registered voters live in the area.

Kasten said Simmons was chosen from the five firms that were interviewed four weeks ago because of its familiarity with the area. He said Simmons has done work for Public Water District No. 1, which includes Fruitland and Longtown, since the 1960s.

The company also has done work for the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission in Perryville, which has assisted the new sewer district.

"They are very familiar with the area, the terrain and even the roads," Kasten said.

Kasten also cited the firm's "good general knowledge" of sewer systems planning, and he said the company's engineers will be easy to work with.

The sewer district includes Fruitland and Pocahontas. The area has no unified sewer system, and residents and businesses have relied on septic tanks and sewage lagoons.