CEDAR LAKE | The town could be running its own sewage treatment plant in a year, just in time to treat materials dredged from the lake.

But this won't be any ordinary sewage treatment plant.

Town officials want to be innovative while going green with an algae wheel plant, an alternative technology awaiting the state's blessing.

If the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's approval is received, the town will build the plant at 155th and Parrish avenues.

Town Manager Joan Boyer said the idea grew out of a need to save money and the requirement that materials from the federally funded lake dredging project be treated.

"The town is buying this land for dual purposes," Boyer said, explaining that the rapidly growing municipality has outgrown the treatment plant it shares with Lowell.

"It's a total green process," Boyer said of the algae wheel plant, adding that the algae will be grown inside a greenhouse. Solar panels and composted, spent algae will be used to produce electricity there.

Council President Robert Carnahan said the town wants to be environmentally friendly.

Boyer suggested the remaining portion of the site could be used for a much-needed park with ball fields and recreational opportunities.

Council Vice President Charlie Kaper said there is a prototype of the algae wheel plant already in operation in Indiana.