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1. If sewer is installed on my street, will I be required to hook up?

Although state law does allow for the Town to require connection of properties located within 300 feet of a sewer main, the Town is currently developing these sewer extensions with the intent to allow connection by adjacent properties to be optional. 

2. How much will it cost to connect?

Property owners will be responsible for hiring a plumbing contractor to install a grinder pump unit to serve their home as well as the pipes from the home to the grinder unit and from the grinder unit to the main in the street; also to decommission the existing septic tank.  We have contacted some local contractors and are being told this cost would likely be in the range of $15,000 to $20,000 which is similar to the cost of installing a new septic system. Note that every property will be different so owners should contact contractors to get actual quotes. Additionally, a $4,000 sewer availability and $25 permit fee will need to be paid to the Town at the time of connection.  

3. Who will be responsible for future maintenance?

The Town will be responsible for maintaining the sewer main along the street. Property owners will be responsible for owning and maintaining the grinder pump unit and piping up to the point of connection to the main sewer.

 

4. Will this project disrupt my neighborhood?

There will be some disturbance to the existing streets however, this should be minimized as we anticipate most of the pipes to be installed by directional boring. This construction method should also allow for most of the street trees and landscaping along the roadway to stay in place.

5. Why are pressure sewers being installed instead of gravity mains?

Small diameter pressure sewers can be installed at a much lower cost and with much less disturbance than gravity sewers. This will allow sewers to be installed into the planned areas in a much shorter timeframe and will allow the Town to make it optional for property owners to connect. Please review the presentation made to the Town Council on Aug. 2, 2021 for additional information.

6. Could the sewer mains be installed along the back yards as many of the houses have existing rear yard septic systems?

The new sewer mains are anticipated to be installed along the streets for the following reasons:

• To minimize land acquisition by using existing rights-of-way which will minimize costs and allow the project to proceed more quickly.
• To allow for better future access to the sewer mains for maintenance.
• Due to the way the existing neighborhoods are laid out, much more pipe would need to be installed to use rear yard routes which would significantly increase costs.

7. Is the Town providing a list of approved, recommended or certified contractors to install the pumps?

The Town is not generating a list of contractors, so as not to endorse any providers over others. Similar to other home improvement work, we are suggesting that property owners contact local licensed plumbers and get multiple quotes for the work. If they do not do that kind of work, they may be able to refer you to someone who can. We have heard that some contractors may be distributing flyers in the neighborhoods to advertise their services. As to whether one contractor can complete the work - that will depend on the capabilities of each company.

8. Will the Town be installing a service drop to each property?

Individual service drops are not being installed by the Town; only the main. Part of the homeowner’s installation will include tapping the new lateral into the main. The installation will need to be completed per the Town’s grinder pump lateral installation detail (S-17) which can be obtained on the Town website within the wastewater construction standards.

9. Will homeowners be required to hook up if their spectic system fails or needs repairs?

Per the Boone County Health Department, the construction or full replacement of a septic system will not be permitted once sanitary sewer service is available. The approval of minor repairs to existing systems will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

10. Is there a deadline a homeowner needs to connect by?

There is no deadline for homeowners. Connections can occur whenever the homeowner decides in the future.