Project Highlight: Regionalization of Wastewater Utilities – Losantville & Modoc

Across Indiana, many small towns face a similar challenge: how to continue providing safe, reliable wastewater services with limited budgets, aging infrastructure, and small staff. For the Towns of Losantville and Modoc, the solution came through regionalization—a collaborative approach that allows multiple communities to share responsibilities, reduce costs, and improve long‑term reliability.

What Is Regionalization?

Regionalization is a strategy that allows neighboring communities to share utility services, facilities, and/or operations. Instead of each town maintaining its own collection and treatment systems, they work together in a way that is more cost‑effective and sustainable.

By partnering together, utilities gain several important advantages:

• Improved Reliability – Sharing resources reduces the strain on each individual system and helps ensure consistent, dependable service for all residents.
• Cost Savings – Regionalization helps communities combine funding sources, pursue grants together, and avoid duplicating expensive equipment or repairs.
• Better Compliance – Environmental regulations for wastewater are becoming more demanding. Working together helps both towns stay compliant with state and federal requirements.
• Long‑Term Sustainability – Regional partnerships help ensure the systems can continue serving residents for decades to come.

A Forward‑Thinking Approach

The Losantville–Modoc regionalization effort reflects a growing statewide trend: small communities building stronger systems by working together. This proactive approach not only supports everyday utility operations but also positions both towns to make the most of future funding opportunities.

To support the regionalization project, both communities underwent improvement projects. Thanks to the hard-working Community Board members and Local and County level involvement, the projects were funded with a total of over 60% grant and involvement from multiple state and federal grant programs!

Losantville’s improvements included installation of approximately 14,000 LF of 8 to 12 inch gravity sewer and septic system abandonment, two new lift stations, and approximately 17,000 LF of 6 inch force main to the Town of Modoc.  Modoc’s improvements included upgrading and expanding the WWTP capacity to accept Losantville’s flow, as well as upgrades to the Town’s US 36 lift station.

As Indiana continues to invest in water and wastewater infrastructure, collaborative solutions like this one will play an important role in helping small towns thrive.

Commonwealth Engineers is proud to support communities across Indiana as they evaluate regional solutions, plan upgrades, and pursue funding opportunities. If you would like to learn more about regionalization or how it could benefit your community, contact us… Our team is always here to help!