Rensselaer, IN – Residents near North and South Melville Street may notice a strong odor in the air this week as the City of Rensselaer continues its sewer lining project, which is now expected to wrap up within the next few days.
According to the City of Rensselaer, the work is part of a multi-stage initiative awarded to Visu-Sewer on June 9, 2025. The project involves cleaning, lining, curing, and reinstating sewer laterals along the Melville Street corridor. During the curing phase of the process, a noticeable smell can occur, though officials emphasize the odor is temporary and not a safety concern.
City officials said the nature of the work requires only one main section of sewer piping to be treated at a time, making the project time-consuming. Despite the slow pace, the city reports minimal traffic disruptions and says contractors have worked to reduce the impact on nearby homes and businesses.
The current phase of sewer lining will conclude before the end of the week. Additional manhole rehabilitation is scheduled for spring 2026 as part of the city’s long-term infrastructure improvement plan.
Both the city and Visu-Sewer thanked residents for their patience during the project, noting that the upgrades will help improve sewer flow and reduce long-term maintenance needs.
Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Rensselaer Street Department at (219) 866-7833.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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