WAVERLY, IND. – The Town of Bargersville intends to purchase the Waverly Wastewater Treatment Plant (Waverly WWTP) from Morgan County for approximately $6.4 million. Located on the Morgan/Johnson County line, the Waverly WWTP has a capacity of 60,000 gallons per day. The WWTP was built on approximately 80 acres in Bargersville and Morgan County, all purchased and constructed by the Morgan County Redevelopment Commission on behalf of the county.
The Waverly WWTP began its operations in 2021 to foster economic development and to assist homeowners and the Waverly Elementary School with failing septic systems. Morgan County is pursuing the sale of the plant to Bargersville as the best path to ensure these goals continue to be met.
Bargersville and its businesses are the Waverly WWTP’s largest customer using approximately 12,500 gallons per day or 19 percent of the plant’s capacity since November 2022. Beginning in 2024, Bargersville Utilities became the plant operator after entering into an operations agreement with the Morgan County Regional Sewer District, which oversees plant operations.
“Bargersville is excited about this partnership with Morgan County that will allow for continued sewer operations for the regional area and lead to more economic development along the I-69 corridor for both communities” Bargersville Town Council.
Bargersville and Morgan County entered into an agreement in 2022 and have worked together recently to strengthen the region’s long-term sewer facilities for growth in both jurisdictions. Under the proposed memorandum of understanding, Bargersville would own the plant, collection system, lift station, any associated personal property and customers. Additionally, Bargersville would assume Morgan County’s outstanding debt and would acquire a portion of the property leaving Morgan County approximately 40 acres.
In exchange, Morgan County would have no required financial contribution for future plant expansions and Bargersville has agreed to continue service to customers in Morgan County at the same rate as other Bargersville customers.
“This would be a win-win for both municipalities,” Morgan County Commissioner Bryan Collier said. “While the County no longer has to maintain the remote facility using a fraction of its capacity, Morgan County residents will continue to receive quality sewer service at affordable rates.”
Bargersville has agreed to provide rights to access and easements for trails to Morgan County for a future expansion of the White River Trail. Morgan County hopes to sell the remaining land in Johnson County (approximately 40 acres) to the private sector and deed over the remaining Morgan County land to either the Morgan County Parks Department or County Commissioners for park use.