NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Utility Service Board convened on Monday, September 21, 2026, to address potential industrial contamination in the city’s municipal sewer system.
Utilities Superintendent Russell Vaught reported that after conducting 108 internal samples, officials confirmed cyanide detected in recent wastewater testing is coming from local industrial discharges rather than the plant itself. Over the next three weeks, local industrial facilities—including Metaldyne and a site outside city limits discharging 2 million gallons monthly—will undergo mandatory weekly sampling for cyanide and nickel to isolate the source.
To support the investigation, board members approved two $7,500 contract amendments for engineering firm Lochmueller Group to expand the loading study and manage stormwater reviews.
Key details regarding the utility board's ongoing response include:
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Sewer ordinance revisions: If an industrial source is identified, the city plans to mandate onsite treatment and weekly permit testing. North Vernon expects to tighten municipal sewer discharge limits over the next six months in coordination with IDEM and the EPA.
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Storm sewer challenges: Cleanout efforts along Poplar Street revealed structural issues, though repairs are constrained by the mayor’s preference to avoid excavating the roadway.
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Plant infrastructure: The wastewater treatment plant’s final blower upgrade is running through its 500-hour burn-in phase, with total project completion pending final door hardware delivery.
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