Water/Wastewater
At the award-winning Turkey Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Site Superintendent Tim Woodward remains as dedicated as ever—37 years into his career—as the facility embarks on a major capacity expansion. And remarkably, it’s being done on a shoestring budget.
Faced with the seasonal population surges around Indiana’s largest lake, Lake Wawasee, the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District (TCRSD) has managed to boost the plant’s capacity by 60%—for just $500,000. That’s a far cry from the $8–$9 million price tags initially estimated.
The savings stem from a decision made by Tim and the all-volunteer Board of Trustees to install two new 11-foot rotor aerators from Lakeside Equipment Corporation, rather than pursue a complete oxidation ditch overhaul. One rotor will be up and running before the July 4th holiday, just in time to handle the spike in flow from the plant’s winter low of 300,000 gallons per day to as high as 1.2 million.
“We evaluated every option carefully,” said Tim, “working closely with Lakeside, Ken Sobbe at Faco LLC, Jones & Henry Engineers, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and our operating staff.”
This isn't Turkey Creek’s first experience with Lakeside. In fact, many of the original Lakeside components—bearings, gear reducers, and motors—have been in continuous use since the plant was built in 1989. Tim, who’s been with TCRSD from day one, oversaw the original installation of four Lakeside rotors and two clarifiers by HNTB. Two additional Lakeside clarifiers were added in 2018 by Jones & Henry Engineers.
Even after nearly four decades and $60 million in capital improvements, the plant has been nearing its design capacity—until now.
Proudly operating without a single permit violation in over seven years, Turkey Creek’s team of seven continues to adapt to stricter discharge regulations. Protecting Lake Wawasee—a treasured recreational lake across the Midwest—is their top priority.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the science of turning dirty water into clean, safe effluent,” said Tim. “We work closely with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and our community to preserve water quality—especially with so many boaters, swimmers, and residents depending on it.”
The treatment process at Turkey Creek uses activated sludge. Influent is screened and pumped into two oxidation ditches with (soon to be) six Lakeside Magna Rotor Aerators, followed by four circular clarifiers, ultraviolet disinfection, and re-aeration before discharging into Solomon Creek via Cromwell Ditch.
The rotors efficiently provide oxygen to the biological mass, allowing the system to handle variable organic loading. Their uniform mixing prevents solids from settling, while flow control baffles enhance oxygen transfer. The clarifiers use rotating sludge collectors to concentrate solids, supporting high nitrification efficiency with over 99% ammonia nitrogen removal. Biosolids are treated in aerobic digesters and spread on local farmland.
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted local demographics, with many turning their summer homes into permanent residences. Turkey Creek now serves about 2,600 customers, plus 230 water users in Enchanted Hills. High-value homes—some worth $2–$3 million—now line the lake. The utility also gained 190 customers by expanding service to parts of nearby Syracuse Lake.
Over the years, Tim has overseen the removal of 2,600 septic systems in the area—a testament to his proactive approach and refusal to settle for second-best.
“Lakeside’s equipment is built tough and designed for easy maintenance,” Tim said. “Routine upkeep like greasing and oil changes is simple. Plus, their support is excellent—quick answers, reliable parts, and knowledgeable reps like Ken Sobbe at Faco LLC make a big difference.”
Ken and Tim share decades of experience. Ken’s attended 50 WEFTEC conferences, while Tim started in the industry at age 14 through a federal work program. After earning his certification in Roann, IN, he joined Turkey Creek in 1989 and became Superintendent in 2007. He’s only missed 10 days of work in 37 years and even developed his own Sludge-to-Waste software.
“With Lakeside, we’re always thinking long-term,” Tim said. “Their new rotors give us the best bang for our buck. I’m fortunate to have the full support of our volunteer board—especially people like Bob Dunford, who’s served for over 30 years. Their dedication helped us earn recognition like Lakeside’s 2024 Plant of the Year Award.”
Dan Widdel, Vice President at Lakeside Equipment Corporation, praised the operation: “Tim and his team are a credit to the industry. They not only maintain their equipment with care and precision—they’re also deeply committed to protecting their local environment.”
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