Filer Township has been working on bringing municipal waste treatment to businesses in its downtown district for more than 20 years. This sewer system has a positive impact in the community by attracting future businesses to the stretch of US 31 and improving those already there.
The project consisted of installing force mains, gravity sewer lines, and pump stations, with extensions connecting to the City of Manistee Wastewater Treatment Plant. Installing the sewer system was another step forward towards updating and strengthening Michigan’s infrastructure.
Team Elmer’s was the low bidder on the municipal project and started work in September 2017. Completing 80% of the project themselves, Team Elmer’s duties were to install sewer main and services, lift stations, meter pits, and force main, including getting the site ready for the installations.
In addition to the 25 feet pipe depth challenge Team Elmer’s encountered extra utilities in the excavation scope of work – uncovering three more utilities that were abandoned.
The 25 foot pipe depth required Team Elmer’s to use two trench boxes to safely lay the pipe, which included scheduled 40 PVC pipe and SDR 21 pressure pipe. Team Elmer’s also installed concrete storm structures, ranging in size of four feet, six feet, and eight feet in diameter.
The project wrapped up a little over a year after the start date and the Filer Township community couldn’t be happier. They’re excited to see the growth this updated infrastructure will bring.

By the Numbers

• Bore & Jack: 1,080 feet
• Aggregate: 2,042 ton
• Asphalt: 1,265 ton
• Curb & Gutter: 1,040 lineal feet
• Sanitary Sewer: 8 inch and 6 inch
• Sanitary Sewer: 13,000 lineal feet
• Service Sewer: 6 inch
• Force Main Sewer: 2 inch and 4 inch

DATE STARTED: Fall 2017
DATE COMPLETED: Fall 2018
SELF-PERFORMED: 80%
PARTNERS: Bella Concrete and Lowe Construction