The Lawrence Lift

THE LAWRENCE LIFT

October 2016

In our daily lives, we use products called household hazardous waste (HHW) that can be dangerous to the environment if disposed of incorrectly. Examples of HHW products include various cleaners, gasoline, pesticides, paints, varnishes, and oils. Improperly disposed of, HHW can contaminate air, soil, and water, and may be dangerous to plants, animals, and people.

The Marion County Department of Public Works provides a program called ToxDrop through which citizens of Marion County can dispose of their HHW. Over the past decade, over 1 million pounds of HHW has been prevented from entering Marion County’s sewers, waterways, and landfills. You may bring your HHW to ToxDrop locations to be disposed of properly for free.

Residents may dispose of twenty gallons of liquid waste and 75 pounds of solid waste per visit. Additionally, small businesses generating small quantities of waste are able to use the program after approval by ToxDrop staff. ToxDrop locations also accept e-waste under their E-Cycle program, such as unwanted computers, printers, cellphones, and small televisions which are then recycled or properly disposed.

The ToxDrop program gives you an opportunity to declutter under your sinks, utility rooms, and garages while also protecting the environment. If you have any questions, please contact ToxDrop staff at: (317) 327-2234 or [email protected]. More information about the program is available at: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPW/SustainIndy/Waste/Reuse/Pages/ToxDrop.aspx.

If you are interested in more information about best management practices (BMPs) to protect groundwater at your home, school, or job, please check out http://indyh2o.org/.

 West Street Collection Facility - 1725 West Street, Bldg. 1 o Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am- 11am  IMPD Training Facility (located near Superior Court 13) - 9049 E. 10th St o Hours: 3rd Saturday of each month, 9am- 2pm  Perry Township Government Center - 4925 S. Shelby St o Hours: 2nd Saturday of each month, 9am- 2pm  Traders Point Collection Facility - 7550 N. Lafayette Rd Oct. 10 Columbus Day; City offices closed LFD Neighborhood Walks Oct. 11 Utility Services Board Meeting; 5:30 PM at 9001 East 59th Street Oct. 15 Fiesta Latina de Lawrence @ Theater at the Fort Oct. 19 Common Council Mid-Month Meeting Oct. 21-22 Shadowland Show @ Theater at the Fort Oct. 22 Crime Stopper’s Shred it Day Oct. 25 Utility Services Board Meeting; 5:30 PM at 9001 East 59th Street Oct. 28-29 Shadowland Show @ Theater at the Fort Oct. 29 Fall Festival @ Lawrence Community Park Lawrence Township 5k Run @ Lawrence Community Park Oct. 31 Official Trick or Treat Hours in Lawrence 6-8 p.m. Nov. 7 Common Council Nov. 8 Election Day; City offices closed Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day; City offices closed Nov. 16 Common Council Mid-Month Meeting Nov. 18 Blue Star Banner Dinner & Recognition @ The Garrison Nov. 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday; City Offices closed Nov. 26 Christmas Tree Lighting & Celebration with Parade @ 5 pm

Winter will soon be upon us! Property owners may want to take measures to prevent freezing of water meters, pipes and other fixtures located in garages, crawl spaces or other locations subject to freezing. Repairs are expensive and can be even more expensive if the problem is outside normal business hours. Customers with meters located in meter pits should also check to ensure that the meter pit’s ring and lid are secured and that there are no gaps around the top of the meter pit that cold allow freezing air to get into the pit and freeze the meter and/or plumbing in the pit. It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure that their plumbing and water meters are protected against freezing and breaking. Meter replacement costs due to freezing and breaking are charged to the customer’s account. Replacement meters are approximately $530 each for a standard residential meter.

Every year the Utility encounters frozen meters in meter pits after customers call stating they have no water service. LU will attempt to thaw a meter located in a meter pit, but only during normal business hours and all such calls are handled in the order received and subject to staff availability. In addition, because of the workload, the service technician will not remain on site attempting to thaw a meter in a meter pit indefinitely. The technician will spend a reasonable amount of time attempting to thaw a service line, usually about 15 to 20 minutes, before moving on to the next call.

So please be sure to take steps now to be prepared to safeguard your plumbing lines and fittings against freezing and the damages resulting from freezing.

For any water or sanitary sewer billing inquiries, please call 317-542-0511. Press 3, then 1.