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Community of LeRoy
Sewers
McLean County, Illinois

(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

LeRoy's first city sewer was laid in 1881 running from city square to East St. It was six-inch in size and was laid by John G. Kelly. Cost for material and labor was 90c per rod. In 1898 some difficulty was being had with the cesspool at the school (former old Washington School). It was agreed by the city and school board to share the cost of a 15-inch vitrified tile to be laid as far as the I.C.R.R. Due to this a committee was appointed to investigate the feasibility of installing a proper sewage system for the city. In August 1900 the sewer on E. Center St. was continued from the corner of Center and East Streets to the open ditch at the corner of Center and Mill. In 1903 the engineering firm of Charles Cottingham was engaged to draw up plans for a sewer system for LeRoy. Cost of plans was $200. A board of local improvements consisting of three aldermen was formed. On December 10, 1903 an ordinance was passed for the laying of two main sewer lines. One is known as Mill and East Street sewer and the other is known as Main West and White Street sewer. These two main sewer lines were recommended by state sanitary engineers working with board of local improvements. Many requests for permission to build septic tanks and connect to sewers were made in 1907. In 1913 an agreement was entered into with Crumbaughs, owners of land south of LeRoy, for easement for sewage outlet. Also, condemnation proceedings were instituted against the Big Four Railroad for easement rights. A special bond issue in the amount of $6000 for local improvements was placed on the ballot at the regular April 1930 election. Bond issue was passed. Using the $6000 bond issue more sewers were laid and they have served the city until now. However, in keeping up with progress another bond issue was passed in 1973 amounting to about one-third of a million dollars. Land has been purchased south of LeRoy for a new modern sewage treatment plant. Plans are now being formulated and construction should be started in the near future. [Heritage of the prairie : a history of LeRoy and of Empire and West townships, McLean County, Illinois (1976) LeRoy Historical Society; LeRoy Bi-Centennial Commission]

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