Projects

Phase 1 Lift Station Rehabilitation Project - 2020

The LPSD has conversed with the SD DENR on the possibility of amending the current SRF Funding package that was granted for the East and Northeast Lake Drive Wastewater System Expansion Project to include a Lift Station Rehabilitation Project (LSRP) to update five existing lift stations, and a sewer extension in the Pier 81 area to service the Dollar General store, an existing residential home and a potential campground.

On November 27th, 2017 the LPSD sent a letter to the Board of Water and Natural Resources requesting the amendment to gain access to the remaining funding. The letter can be viewed here, with Exhibit A and B that were attached.

At the Board of Water and Natural Resources January 4th, 2018 meeting, the SD DENR approved the letter to allow the LPSD to access the remaining funding and amend the current SRF Funding package to include the Phase 1 Lift Station Rehabilitation Project and the Pier 81 Area Sanitary Sewer Extension.

The LPSD held a Public Hearing regarding this amendment to the current SRF Funding package at the February 10th, 2018 board meeting. The Public Hearing Notice can be read in full here. As of June 9th, 2018, the Phase 1 Lift Station Rehabilitation Project will be advertised for bids for two consecutive weeks in the Brookings Register, Hamlin County Herald Enterprise and on Banner Associates' website.

On March 25th, 2019 the LPSD held a bid opening for the LSRP and received two bids. At the LPSD's March 28th, 2019 meeting the contract was awarded to Halme Inc. contingent on DENR approval. After approval from DENR, a pre-construction meeting was held on April 9th, 2019. Most of the work, if not all, will be completed in the upcoming winter months. Service should not be interrupted during the rehabilitation of these lift stations. On January 1st, 2020 Halme Inc. began construction on the five lift stations scheduled for rehabilitation. The LPSD thanks the community for their patience and support.

East & Northeast Lake Drive Expansion Project - 2019

Beginning in 2016 a conventional sewer system will be installed along East and Northeast Lake Drive. Please click here to review the project timeline.

The Lake Poinsett Community is very fortunate to have received funding for this project. Please check out the actual award letter which outlines the funding here.

Please read the following information regarding the East and Northeast Lake Drive Wastewater System Expansion Project, along with the updated information here. (Change in Project Scope)

Linked here is a letter that was sent to each resident along East and Northeast Lake Drive regarding the power connection of the individual grinder stations (house pumps).

April 2017 progress update - written by Kevin Kuebler from Banner Associates

This expansion project has connected approximately 127 households to the LPSD's infrastructure. Additionally, the LPSD would like to thank the Lake Poinsett community for their patience and support.

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the project and a conventional sewer system.

1. What is a conventional sewer system? A conventional system takes all sewage away and does not incorporate septic tanks.The system will be similar to that of a city's.

2. Why? What are the benefits? Removing sewage to an evaporation pond ensures that drain fields are not draining into the lake or allowing sewage water to leach into Lake Poinsett. The benefit is a cleaner, healthier lake and cleaner, healthier lake living.

3. Is this really necessary? Yes. The primary benefit is public health. LPSD has uncovered and corrected instances of septic systems being drained directly into the lake. There was also an instance of an open sewage drain field. In most cases, residents were unaware of the mechanics of their system and were happy to make corrections.

4. How much will this cost me? The project on E and NE Lake Drives has not been formally, legally bid. Therefore, we cannot guarantee costs to residents at this time. However, we can review costs to residents for a similar project on SE Lake Drive. On SE Lake Dr, residents paid a one time, $1,500 connection fee. Residents who needed to upgrade or standardize their septic tank had the option of having the district's engineers and contractors install the system. Residents who chose this route paid $1,800 for a fully installed septic tank in addition to the $1,500 set up fee. Ongoing service rates can be found on the Rates and Services page. Under the conventional sewer plan, no septic tank is needed.

5. How big does my tank need to be? SEPTIC TANKS ARE NOT REQUIRED IN A CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM. In the meantime, it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure the property's septic system is in compliance with state law. The actual, legal guidelines and septic tank requirements are set by the state of South Dakota and can be found here.

6. What if my neighbors said they won't pay? Unpaid costs will be assessed to the property's taxes as allowed by law. We would prefer to set up a payment arrangement. Please contact the business office for further details.

7. Is this going to tear up my yard? A little, yes. Lawns are reseeded but please understand our contractors can't make it look like a golf course. We need your help and support in getting your yard back in order.

8. Is this going to tear up the road? A little, yes. The road will be repaired to working order.

9. Where is the pond going to be? The pond is in the middle of the section about one quarter mile North of the Pheasant Lodge on the road to Prestrude's Landing. To view a map, click here.

10. Does the pond smell? It depends on the conditions of any particular day. While there is some smell, it is cyclical in nature. At certain times of the year, ponds release more odor than at other times of the year. In general, no, the ponds do not smell. In fact, ducks and frogs seem to like them.

11. What does the pond look like? A well maintained pond will have maintained grass, controlled weeds and rip rap or jagged rock sloping down to the water. LPSD's largest ponds can barely be seen from the paved roads. The pond south of the state park cannot be seen at all. The pond servicing North Lake Dr. cannot be seen from the road either.

12. Can you plant trees around the ponds to hide them? Sorry, that is a firm no. Regulators will not allow us to do so because the ponds need wind to chop and agitate the water.

13. Speaking of regulations, who oversees all of this stuff? LPSD is regulated by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Here is the DENR website. Here is our actual license and 29 pages of guidelines and definitions.

14. How do I get involved? The LPSD Board of Trustees meets the second Saturday of every month at 8am in Lakes Plaza, which is the building directly north of Siouxland on the southwest side of Lake Poinsett. The actual address is 19553 US HWY 81, Arlington, SD, 57212. The board is always interested in hearing directly from residents. If you cannot attend a meeting and you wish to communicate with the board, please send a letter or email to the business office. Otherwise, feel free to call the business office at 605-880-4503.