Mishawaka Utilities Wastewater Marks 60th Anniversary

Posted April 18, 2012

The year was 1952; Ike was just elected President, Hank Williams and Fats Domino were two of the top recording artists with songs like Jambalya and Goin’ Home. Gene Kelley was Singing in the Rain at the movie theatre. Many of us are too young to remember the year 1952. However, Mishawaka’s wastewater treatment plant began operation on April 18, 1952.

It’s hard to imagine, but prior to that day 60 years ago all of the wastewater generated by Mishawaka’s homes, businesses and industries went directly to the river without treatment. The river was used to dilute the pollution and carry it away downstream. On April 18, 2012, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of wastewater treatment in Mishawaka.

Since our beginning, the plant has undergone two major expansions to keep pace with growth in our community and new and more stringent treatment regulations. Today Mishawaka enjoys a state of the art treatment facility with capacity to allow continued growth, while protecting public health and the environment. We currently treat nearly 4 billion gallons annually, removing over 7 million pounds of pollutants in the process. The 27 current employees of the wastewater plant have over 471 years of combined wastewater treatment experience. Although no present employee was here when the plant was opened in 1952, you may hear the Division Manager humming a Fats Domino tune from time to time.