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The following is a release from the City of Ottumwa:

The City of Ottumwa is preparing to begin Phase III construction of the South Ottumwa Sewer Separation Project.   The third phase is broken into two divisions; with Division 1 estimated to cost $5.9 million.  Work this new phase is expected to begin Dec. 8.  The Phase III project area encompasses an area bordered on the north by Richmond Avenue and Church Street, Ransom on the east, Mary Street on the south, and Ferry on the west.

There will be a public information meeting Monday, December 7, at 6 p.m. at Bridge View Center, 102 Church Street.  The meeting is for sharing information with the community about the project’s construction schedule, work zone street closings, impacts of the project, streetscaping and other public improvements.  The meeting is open to the public; residents and businesses in the project area are especially invited to attend.

Work on the South Ottumwa Sewer Separation has been underway since August 2006.  The project is aimed at bringing Ottumwa into compliance with national clean water standards, reduce the amount of pollution being discharged into the oxbow lagoons and Des Moines River and will lower incidence of raw sewage backups in residents' basements.  The project is being funded through federal appropriations and local option sales tax revenues.