Hydrogen sulfide continues to be a problem in the Ontwa Townhip sewage that flows into the Elkhart sewer system for treatment.

During a meeting of the Ontwa Township Board Monday night, Beth Westfall, a member of the Ontwa Township Sewer Board, said that a study was done where the township’s line breaks off at the confluence and there is still hydrogen sulfide in the line.

“We did a study where we break off ours at the confluence in Elkhart and still have hydrogen sulfide. I suggest a legal opinion be set aside for now,” Westfall said. “Let’s get legal questions together to find out what we asked. This is what I want to take to the board at the end of the month.”

Trustee Mike Morozek added that testing should start at Granger where the sewer line is connected to Edwardsburg’s line.

Frank Lapier, temporary wastewater manager, noted that the township is going into 2015 budget planning and that there is a 12.1 percent increase coming from Elkhart.

“We try to identify the symptoms,” he said. “We have high preventive costs. There will be seven to nine percent added to the township. We are solving problems with Elkhart. Things are coming together. We are still trying to figure out the hydrogen sulfide problem.”

It was noted the township still owes $40,000 in fines to the Elkhart sewer system.

“Things break down because we don’t have a good alarm system,” Westfall said. “We know what the problems are financially. We don’t know the system problems but are working with Elkhart.”

The board filled a vacancy for an assessor to replace Douglas Brousseau, who passed away. Filling the position will be William Gibert of Buchanan, who was hired on an interim basis until a full time person is hired.

The board also paid monthly bills of $21,000 out of the general fund.