Often when there are proposals to incorporate areas into cities, sewers are used as a bargaining phrase to entice those to support such an initiative.

However, there has been much misunderstanding of the whole issue of sewers and how they are funded.  Counties and cities don't pay for sewers, the individual homeowner or business that is required to hook up does.  In addition to the large hook up fee, a monthly fee would be charged for usage.

In the 1990's, the NE Sewer District proposed to the voters a bond issue, which was approved by the voters, to fund the initial infrastructure (treatment plants, pump stations, discharge lines from the treatment plant to the river, etc.).  An interceptor line was required and was funded by bond money.  The NE Sewer District operates under federal EPA regulations and state DNR regulations.

When sewer users, whether residential or commercial, are required to hook up to sewers, there is a large initial fee just to hook onto the main line and a monthly charge thereafter.  The hookup fee pays for the sewer infrastructure, while the monthly fee pays for the NE Sewer District's daily operation and maintenance.  The hookup fee does not include any of the sewer line that comes from the main line to the home or business.  Depending on the distance and whether the home or business is below grade from the hookup point, the cost can become quite expensive.

The Sugar Creek Hills proposed boundary is within the NE Sewer District and many of the homes are already serviced by that district.

Cities and counties should not be forcing homeowners to hook up to sewers.  If a septic tank is really a health concern, it is up to the homeowner to repair and they can be held responsible for it and be required to repair it.  The county already has processes in place for this.

Many of us who have properly working septic systems would be required to pay to hook up to the sewer system at a cost that many could not easily afford.  Additionally, if the septic is properly working, there is no reason to abandon it.  There have been horror stories of people with backed up sewage in their homes . . . and it is not all theirs.  We hear this in the news all of the time.

All new subdivisions have long been required to hook up to sewers.  Retrofitting homes, with existing septic systems, to sewers would inconvenience long-time homeowners and create undue burden for those whose systems are in proper working order.  It would require tearing up yards with decades of landscaping, gardens, trees and digging long runs to the main line all at the homeowner's expense. 

Therefore, it just doesn't make sense to vote for a city to put in sewers.

Actual Costs to Homeowners

The following are actual costs incurred by individual homeowners in unincorporated Jefferson County who recently hooked up to sewers.  The below costs for each home include a $2,500 hook up fee and a $50 inspection fee (the monthly cost for service is extra).  The remainder of the cost would include excavation, pump if needed, electrician, and materials, such as, pipe.  These homes were located on the same road and already had the laterals relatively close to the home, so it was a matter of running a pipe from the home to the lateral.

Home #1:  $4,550

Home #2:  $8,550

Home #3:  $10,550

Costs can vary depending on the length of the run and the grade of the land.  If the waste pipe coming from the home is below the grade of the lateral, it must be pumped up hill and a Meyer's pump is required by the NorthEast Sewer District at a cost of $4,700.  You cannot substitute pumps or NorthEast Sewer District will not service it if anything happens.  Once you buy and install the Meyer's pump, it becomes the property of the NorthEast Sewer District and they will service it/replace it going forward.

The following is another account, as of August 2007, that breaks down the costs of hooking up to the NE Sewer District.  This home was in High Ridge and the public sewer line was pre-existing and accessible just 30' from the house.  The total cost was approximately $10,000.  Unfortunately, the main line was above the level of the waste pipe coming from the home and a Meyer's pump was required at a cost of $4,700.  These pumps are only supplied by one vendor through the NE Sewer District.  The contractor to excavate and lay the pipe charged approximately $3,000.  A licensed electrician was required at the cost of ~$1,000.  The inspection fee was $50.  The hook up fee of  $2,500 was paid to NE Sewer District so they would service the sewer.  In addition, a monthly fee is charged.

The same person rehabbed another home and the cost to add the sewer was $24,000.

Again, all of the above accounts were cases where homes were relatively close to the hookup.  The longer the run, the costlier the endeavor.

Incorporating into a city would not likely lower the cost of hooking up to sewers.

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Last modified: 02/15/10