DEMOCRAT
SOUTH BEND
Environmental Stewardship
Cleaner River, Healthier Neighborhoods
Under Mayor Luecke’s leadership, South Bend–so named for its location at the south bend of the St. Joseph River–has worked to preserve this natural and valuable resource.
Mayor Steve has initiated a $200 million plan to reduce overflows of our combined sewer system into the river, the largest public works project/investment in South Bend’s history. Through wastewater plant improvements to increase capacity and strategic separation of storm and sanitary sewers, polluting overflows have already been reduced by 58%, with another 40% expected in the next 6 years.
$87 million has been invested in updates to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, increasing its capacity while returning cleaner water to the river than what enters via the river upstream from South Bend. By the efficient use of the methane generated at the treatment plant, we are saving $250,000 a year in electricity.
Extending the RiverWalk Trail to South Bend’s north boundary will afford even more opportunities for residents to enjoy the river.
Assuring a Clean Water Supply
$11 million investment in the last decade replacing old water mains, extending new lines and improving water treatment facilities.
South Bend provides the best quality of drinking water possible to 120,000 customers through advanced treatment using granular activated carbon treatment and safe disinfection techniques. We distribute the water in through 538 miles of water mains efficiently and safely to meet all potable, irrigation and fire protection demands.
City reduced water usage 10% in 2006 through a combination of conservation and climate conditions.
Saving Energy + Saving Tax dollars = Smart Growth
Under Mayor Steve’s direction and leadership, the Engineering and Community Economic Development staffs steer public policy and practice toward sustainable urban development ---including brownfield redevelopment and dense walkable and bicycle-friendly development on City water and sewer ---rather than suburban sprawl development on failing wells and septic systems.
Despite the increased cost of delivering City services over the last decade. Mayor Luecke’s team has worked diligently to do more with less, using innovative and tax-saving approaches:
Replacing traffic signals with new, longer lasting light emitting diodes (LED) lights means less energy consumption, better environment, taxpayer power bill, safer intersections and fewer replacements- the savings cover the expense of upgrade and replacement.
Clean City Initiatives
Bike Paths – developing 10 miles of bike paths per year for the next 5 years is encouraging healthy, safe and environmentally friendly alternative transportation.
The new hinged-lid trash containers provided to City residents are helping to keep our alleys and streets cleaner- the containers enable automated trucks that reduce injuries to workers and enhance collection efficiency to match private services at half their cost—a City environmental and economic advantage.
Street Sweepers- new bigger and faster sweepers are far more efficient: in 2007 4 workers and 4 pieces of equipment now do the work of 13 workers and 13 pieces of heavy machinery that used to do the task in 2000....and to a much higher dust control standard.
Street Dept- using liquid anti-icing proactive techniques, sand and less road salt benefits the environment while providing for safe streets in snow and icy conditions. A process using recycled asphalt products and infrared heat to repair sections of pavement saves time and money.
Conserving Natural and Financial Resources
The Erskine Commons retail development, Frederickson Park, and the adjacent new Morris LaSalle Council Boy Scout Center are built on former landfills that the City remediated.
The former Studebaker/Oliver industrial sites are being restored to clean, safe areas for economic development. In the process of demolishing blighted buildings, 270 million pounds of crushed aggregate has been recycled for use in new construction sites-saving landfill space, avoiding the mining of virgin materials and turning waste into a product of value we can reuse.
South Bend’s Organic Resources facility diverts tons of collected yard waste and leaves from landfills, which is then made available to residents and landscapers as garden compost and mulch, demonstrating pro-health, pro-environment, and pro-economy thinking.
The award-winning Wildflower Basin Planting Program in stormwater basins throughout the city reduces mowing maintenance costs and equipment wear and tear. We plant native plants and help the environment, create habitat for wildlife and save taxpayers money…enlightened environmental stewardship and quiet sound leadership the people of South Bend have come to expect from Steve Luecke.