Questions Linger Over Appropriate Sewer System For Farmington Neighborhoods

FARMINGTON

Plans to install low-pressure sewer systems in two neighborhoods that currently have environmentally worrisome septic systems is being re-examined by town officials in an attempt to get the project approved in time to get on the November ballot.

Presented by Town Engineer Russell Arnold Jr. at Tuesday's town council meeting, the project will go back to the town's water pollution control authority for consideration at its May 9 meeting. A timeline introduced to the council showed two public hearings on the project tentatively scheduled at the June 13 WPCA meeting and the July 12 town council meeting.

Town council members were unanimous in their desire to try to get the project to voters in November, though there was no official vote.

Residents at a referendum last fall rejected the proposal as presented, citing cost concerns and fears that a pump system, which pushes the waste to a central sewer main line, could fail during a power outage. Many were instead in favor of the traditional gravity sewer system, which operates exclusively under the influence of gravity.

Since the project went to referendum, it has not changed, Arnold said. He asked that the town council consider recommending the low-pressure sewer option again, arguing that it is more economical and less intrusive to install than a gravity-based system.

Additionally, Arnold said that because of the elevation and the topography of the neighborhoods to be affected, at least 20 percent of the homes will require a low-pressure system no matter what. If the town does nothing, the septic systems in the majority of all the homes in the affected area will likely fail in the short term.

"How many more times do you want to deal with this?" Arnold said. "That's the question."

If approved, the low-pressure sewer plan will affect 95 homes in the area of Blue Ridge and Ridgeview drives, Shady Lane and Woodpond Road.

It will require each property owner to pay for the installation and maintenance of a grinder pump and service lines. Property owners will also have to hire a contractor to install the pumps, reroute their sewers, crush and fill their existing septic tanks and connect to the sewer hub at the street.

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Questions Linger Over Appropriate Sewer System For Farmington Neighborhoods