Another disclaimer: We didn't even think about sewer when we built 15 years ago. It probably wouldn't have changed how our house was built, but it might have. We have 2/3 of an acre and our sewer is on the back part of the lot, furthest from the street. My best guess is that when (not if) sewer comes to South Willard, most of our landscaping will have to be torn out, our trench to the street will cost us thousands, maybe many thousands by the time sewer arrives because of the length and the depth. I'm not looking forward to that day of destruction to the yard or our pocket book.
But that being said, with the huge growth that is being proposed in South Willard, the sewer will come. There will come a time when it is mandated by the state because it is available and because septic tanks are not a viable long term option for a growing area.
Currently there are a group of developers in the southern most part of South Willard area that have joined together to provide substantial funds to Perry and Willard to up size the sewer lines south of Willard to accommodate the more than 2000 homes those developers are planning for our area. This agreement predates any talk of annexation and is independent of the annexation. The sewer will be coming south to accommodate those areas. The reason the developers were willing to invest this money is density. Having sewer available will mean they can request higher density housing for their developments.
As I understand it, Willard City applied for government funding to pay for their sewer infrastructure. Those monies were for Willard City and have been used to provide main lines for the sewer and to build the treatment facility. There are no funds to provide lines for South Willard in the case of annexation. Because of the ability for higher density, developers will be the ones to push sewer lines through for their own properties but sewer will not be available this way to current residents until the mandate comes that all resident must join or until Willard City has funds to complete the infrastructure in South Willard.
Please understand that annexation will not bring sewer, growth will bring sewer and growth will happen whether we annex or not.
It comes back to cost, which will be high as it always is for sewer connection, but it will be higher if we are not a part of Willard City.
just a thought our line -- about 300 feet was under $3,000.00
ReplyDeleteCan you elaborate on why you think the cost will be higher if we are not part of Willard City? Higher for who, the developers? I have a septic tank, why can't the existing houses be grand-fathered?
ReplyDeleteThe cost will be higher if we are not part of Willard city. When the treatment plant was approved, the State decided that sewer for the South Willard area would go north to that treatment plant. When sewer comes, it will go north. The difference in cost will be that if South Willard remains unincorporated, or even if they incorporate they will pay for treatment as users of the system rather than owners of the system. That would probably include an impact fee as well as higher treatment rates.
ReplyDeleteSeveral large land developers in the southern most part of the our area have already paid to increase the pipe size of the sewer to accommodate their developments. They will be paying significant costs to bring sewer to their developments so they can increase density in the developments. Those who live in those developments will be affected the same as South Willard residents.
It is my understanding that residents in Willard were not forced to connect to sewer and would guess the same would happen in South Willard. I believe we were told that there is usually a cost benefit to connect when lines are run but it is not required.
I would think that as with all things grandfathered, the connection would have to take place when the property changed hands and would be a part of any home sale.
Again, just my understanding from the questions I've asked and the meetings I've been in.