City of Batesville breaks ground on new water treatment plant

City officials and community members gathered last Thursday (Feb. 13) to break ground on Batesville’s new water treatment plant, marking a major step toward modernizing the city’s water infrastructure.

The new facility will replace the city’s aging 1960s-era plant, ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for the growing population. The project is a collaboration between the City of Batesville, Olsson Engineering, and construction manager TOLM Group.

Mayor Rick Elumbaugh (pictured below at the ceremony) credited the community’s overwhelming support for making the project possible.

“Water infrastructure is essential to any community’s survival. I want to thank our citizens for stepping up time and time again,” Elumbaugh said. He noted that this initiative follows the city’s successful completion of a wastewater treatment plant in 2017.

Batesville residents approved funding for the new facility in a 2023 vote. Public Works Engineer Damon Johnson thanked the community for its role in advancing the initiative.

“This new 16-million-gallon-a-day system is an investment in our future, securing high-quality water for residents, industries, and future growth,” Johnson said.

Crystal Johnson, CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, praised the partnerships that made the project possible.

“Critical infrastructure projects like this do not happen without a strong community, strong partnerships, and strong leadership,” she said.

The new plant is expected to take three years to complete. Officials emphasized its role in strengthening Batesville’s infrastructure and supporting long-term development.

“We’re honored to steward this project because we understand its importance,” said Brian Rohlman, president of TOLM Group. “Drinking water is something people take for granted, but it’s the most basic necessity of life.”

City leaders expressed optimism about the plant’s impact, with Greg Smith, TOLM Group vice president, highlighting the strong collaboration between stakeholders. “A great team is assembled to execute this project,” he said.

Elumbaugh emphasized the years of planning behind the initiative. “Here in Batesville, we don’t kick the can down the road; we face challenges head-on,” he said.

Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors in attendance included: Andrea Bruner (Network of Community Options), Amy Crouch-Howard (Weichert, Realtors – The Property Shoppe), Adam Curtwright (Centennial Bank), Amy Finster (FARCO), Julie Hinkle (Bank of Cave City), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Tammy Jeffrey (First Community Bank), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Roxanne Rananudo (Family Violence Prevention), Sarah Ring (Southern Bank), Peter Rouiler (First Community Bank), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), and Rickie Westbrook (Centennial Bank).

Images provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce