HUNTSVILLE Huntsville City Council seems to have an issue with several aspects of plans for a new subdivision on the south side of town.

Representatives from the Texas Grand Ranch Subdivision, which will be located off of FM 1374, presented their plans for a 2,100-acre, 746-lot neighborhood.

Renee Howes, who represents the developers, said they are requesting six variances from the city development code for the nearly half of the lots that would fall under city jurisdiction, so they can build under the county requirements. They include street width, lot depth and width ratio, streetlights, water lines, and sewage lines.

If Huntsville Planning and Zoning Commission approves the variances on May 15, each potential property owner would have to install their own wells and septic systems. Council members had issues with the number of wells that would be required.

Councilmembers Don Johnson and Tish Humphrey both questioned the ability for that many customers to draw from the same well.

Im surprised the state of Texas still allows that many wells to draw from the same place, Humphrey said. Thats a lot of straws.

Howes said the company performed a groundwater study that showed that the Jasper Aquifer, where the subdivision would draw from, has very good quality water. That aquifer is not connected to the Huntsville water supply.

We talked to (city development director Aron Kulhavy) the city would like to provide us water, but unfortunately...the nearest water supply is more than 7 miles away, Howes said.

Jeff Brown, the engineer helping the company develop plans, said the nearest water plant is 11 miles away, and the nearest sewer treatment plant is 7 miles. That would provide a total cost of more than $10 million, according to the city, and more than $12 million, according to Brown.

Following the code that you have, we dont think thats economically feasible for anybody, Brown said. Yes, well have 750 customers one day. ... But they will build their house when they want to, when they need to.

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Council voices concerns of potential subdivision

The township should not hesitate to install a sewer line extension to serve the historic Old Flanders section of town.

It is the right public policy and further, it is totally appropriate that the costs for the sewer extension to be extended throughout the tax base of town.

Unfortunately, the majority of the Township Council doesn't see it this way. Two weeks ago, council members balked at supporting an engineering and design study that would have led to the sewer extension.

The vote was 4-2, with Ray Perkins, John Mania, Alex Roman and Joseph Nicastro voting against and Colleen Labow and Daniel Amianda voting for the study. Although he had no vote, Mayor Rob Greenbaum also supported the engineering study.

Perkins led the way and was by far the most outspoken against the sewer engineering plan. He said he could not abide the principle of the whole town pitching in just for an improvement that would benefit only a small number of properties. Perkins said such a proposal would be just what Obama Democrats would support and that Perkins would stand up for his Republican ideals.

The cost per homeowner throughout town would be a whopping 69 cents a month for the 20-year life of the sewer construction loan. There is no principle involved; just 69 cents a month.

Something doesn't make sense here.

Is it Republican or Democratic to build a playground and then spread the costs to all taxpayers. It's a good bet that not all residents would use the playground, particularly the elderly. Yet, the council has unanimously supported using public funds to build Mount Playmore at Turkey Brook Park.

Is it Republican or Democratic to pave public roads that may lead to cul de sacs or remote areas where most residents probably won't go. There has been no debate and shouldn't be when it comes to improving public roads.

How about public water systems or extending water lines to provide water for hydrants in event of fires.

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Sewer line funding good public policy

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. - Phyllis Shelton and her Old Flanders neighbors have waged a long battle but they have lost their request that the town underwrite the costs of providing sewers to the historic section of town.

Township Council members voted 4-2 on Tuesday, April 8, against including $250,000 in the 2014 budget for a sewer engineering and design study for the Old Flanders area. The study was needed to set the stage for installation of a new sewer line to serve 31 properties along Main Street and Park Place.

Im devastated, said Shelton who lives in a converted, historic mill on Park Place. We are surrounded by wetlands. This is the historic part of town. Ive spent my life and my money to make it nice and this is what I get.

Councilman Ray Perkins led the drive against the spending and said the taxpayers throughout town should not subsidize a sewer system that would serve so few taxpayers. Under the plan, the costs of a 20-year, construction loan would be spread to all taxpayers at a projected cost of 69 cents per taxpayer for 20 years.

Republican Values

Im a Republican and a conservative, Perkins said. I dont subscribe to the Obama version of letting other people pay for the benefit of a few. Im not going to be a Democrat and subsidize these costs.

Perkins was joined in opposition by Council President John Mania and council members Alex Roman and Joseph Nicastro.

Voting for the study were council members Colleen Labow and Daniel Amianda. Mayor Rob Greenbaum also had supported the sewer plan.

The vote was just the latest defeat in a series of measures in past years against providing sewers. Past efforts to sewer a larger section of Flanders were opposed by most residents, leading to the latest, scaled down effort to provide sewer services to 31 properties in the area of Park Place.

Proponents said sewers are needed to avoid the costly replacement of existing septic systems and cesspools.

More here:
Sewer bid tanked again

Published: Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 12:46a.m. Updated 6 hours ago

A sewer expansion project that will eliminate contamination problems in northern Armstrong County and southern Clarion County was awarded $3.3 million in state funding on Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority approved a $1,437,705 grant and a $1,905,795 low-interest loan for the Hawthorn Redbank-Redbank Municipal Authority's Area Sanitary Sewer Project.

The municipal authority plans to use the state funding to install nearly 25,800 feet of sewer lines in the Oakridge area of Redbank Township in Armstrong County and the Mayport area of Hawthorn Borough in Clarion County.

The costs associated with this project would have placed an extremely heavy burden on the authority and, in particular, ratepayers, state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-Venango, said in a news release. The project will provide a cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment and improve the quality of life for the system's customers.

Hutchinson is chairman of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

The Department of Environmental Protection estimates that more than half of the on-lot septic systems in the area are malfunctioning and contaminating local waterways. This project will address those concerns, state Sen. Don White, R-Indiana, a member of the PENNVEST board, said in the release.

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PENNVEST funds aid Armstrong, Clarion sewer project

JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -

A plan to tie the Colonial Estates area of Jackson County into the city's water system is welcome news to many people who live there. More than 30 homes would be impacted, and the project would be funded with a $600,000 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority.

Howard Tupper lives in Colonial Estates and says while the water looks okay, it's actually not.

"You can't drink it," he said. "It will make you sick. And it smells and sometimes you'll get sediment in it."

A boil water notice is a sign of the times these days in the neighborhood. So are water filters, and plenty of bottled water. County officials are looking to tie the city of Ocean Springs water system into to old antiquated well after sealing it off.

"They have septic tanks, so we know that's not a good system when you've got a well in close proximity to your sewer. These people need water desperately," Ocean Springs Public Works Director Andre Kaufman said.

Lee Abell has lived here for 31 years, and says that change would suit her just fine.

"It certainly would. We've had it for years. You know, it's been bad, as far as the quality of the water, it's been bad ever since I've been out here and that's been a long time.

Jerry Tapp is the president of the neighborhood association. A new water system would put an end to a long running problem.

"Every time we have to dig up a pipe and fix a leak - $1,000, $2,000. We don't have the money to do that," Tapp explained.

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Colonial Estates water woes may be coming to an end

Why does my septic system smell bad?

Its a fact, sewage smells bad. If youve walked through the steam of a city manhole or stood down wind of septic pumping truck, you know the odor. We all try to avoid the smell, but some septic systems owners have a hard time evading it.

Sewer gasses are produced throughout your septic system. the gas is created in the tank, piping, distribution box and in the trenches. In a properly vented septic system, the gas produced in the septic system will move upstream through the piping, septic tank and back through the house gravity sewer where it will then rise up through the house vent (called a vent stack) and disperses into the air. These process works because low pressure in the pipe draws the gasses up and out of the vent. Generally speaking, the taller your roof vent, the greater pressure difference and the more effective the venting action. Folks sometimes find that simply extending their vent stack on the roof eliminates the problem of unwanted stink.

Obstructions such as an unvented elbow in the distribution box (on the inlet pipe) or a plug in the sewer line can trap gasses. Unable to escape through the pipes and vent stack, the trapped gasses are now forced to leak out of the ground and cause embarrassing smells. Frank, I think your yard just passed gas!

A failing absorption field can cause water to back-up in the septic tank and completely cover the inlet and outlet pipes. This will also block the path of the gasses and cause your yard to smell like septage.

Therefore, if you are smelling sewer gasses for the very first time, it might mean that your absorption field is beginning to fail.

Sometimes, the venting system works properly but a down draft, caused by winds blowing across the roof a nearby row of trees can bring the odors down into your yard, window or air-conditioning unit. If this is happening to you, you may want to try installing a charcoal vent filter. These filters have become popular with people that cannot find ways to otherwise fix their stinky vent issues.

For more on venting Read This.

Excerpt from:
Sewer Gas Smells and Septic System Venting Indiana septic ...

Gene's Water & Sewer is the contractor choice for outside water and sewer installation and repair. Our services include the following:

Gene's Water & Service specialize in the following types of water repairs, and replace pipes with one of the following methods:

Our crew digs an open trench and does the repairs/replacements. Trench repairs are somewhat less costly, and has a significant, experienced contractor base.

A pneumatic tool (hole hog) to pull the pipe into place. This minimizes the amount of digging, which saves customers from additional labor and restoration costs, and a minimum amount of disruption of service.

Has the flow of your waste water stopped or slowed? We repair sewage back-ups that are experiencing these problems.

These repairs are done with a combination of digging and tunneling. Like with the water pipe repairs, they're somewhat more affordable, and has a significant, experienced contractor base.

Also known as pipe bursting repairs. This involves the placement of a new pipe where the old one was, which lessens the need for digging. The process requires a hole in the ground at the house and right of way. Semi-trenchless repairs use a fused pipe, which eliminates the need for joints, and stops infiltration and exfiltration.

A resin-based liner is pulled in place the existing pipe. This is the only true no dig technology, and minimizes the need for digging, meaning customers save on costs associated with labor and restoration. Joints are eliminated, meaning the smoother pipe can increase flow. Infiltration and exfiltration is topped and service disruption is lessened to the customer. The repairs are normally completed in less than a day's time.

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Minneapolis Water & Sewer Repairs | MN Pipe Installation

Water and sewer hookups for 53 homes in Naples Bembury Drive Assessment Area will cost each $24,376 or nearly $37,000 over 20 years.

But Mary Guadagno will be hit with six assessments, prompting the Naples resident to angrily complain to City Council on Wednesday.

Its approximately $200,000, which is more than 50 percent of what I can sell this property for, said Guadagno, who co-owns a .95-acre parcel on Bembury Drive with a duplex and four small homes she rents to low- to medium-income residents.

I would be paying for six meters, which is a large expense, she told council. I just feel the city is going to be gaining every month with these meters running. Theres no way we could possibly afford this.

Homes on Bembury Drive, 13th and 14th Avenue North and 15th Street North will be asked to pay $24,376, or $1,843 yearly, for 20 years to hook up to the city sanitary sewer system. Bembury Drive residents, who use well water, also will pay $2,011 to hook up to city water.

Council unanimously voted Wednesday to adopt the fee estimates and set up the assessment area. On June 11, council will hold a public hearing on the charges, which will be tacked onto property tax bills beginning November 2015.

The reality is shes got a legally nonconforming property, Mayor John Sorey said after the meeting, referring to current codes prohibiting six homes on such a small property. I feel for the lady, but at the same time, there are other folks who understand its critical to get it done.

The small ranches and rental homes tucked behind the post office on Goodlette Frank Road are among 1,400 properties outside city limits that have been targeted for an expansion of the citys sanitary sewer and water system. About 40 percent of Naples utility customers live in unincorporated areas of Collier County.

Residents received a letter in February, calling the hookup a priority due to septic systems negative influence on the Gordon River and Naples Bay. The letter said septic systems cant adequately treat human waste or remove nitrogen and phosphates, which present health risks and pollute waterways.

Some have asked for the hookups and many complain they must buy bottled water, Sorey said, noting the expansion means theyll be hooked up to city water without charge.

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Property owner tells council proposed water, sewer hookups will cost her $200K

Published: Thu, April 17, 2014 @ 12:06 a.m.

By Ed Runyan

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

Frank Fuda says Trumbull County has built miles of sewer and water lines, gotten loads of snow plowing and grass cutting from jail inmates and kept its finances in order over the seven years hes been county commissioner.

He cites $50 million in new sewer and water lines, $27 million of which came from grants.

We have eliminated 17 percent of the septic systems by replacing them with new sewer systems, making it easier for citizens to sell their homes and for industries to locate in our county, he said.

A program Fuda helped start put jail inmates to work shoveling driveways and cutting grass. It has saved more than $2 million since it began in 2007, he said. The sheriffs office has secured $2 million worth of surplus military items, such as vehicles and kitchen supplies, he said.

More sewers are needed, and additional problems exist with public transportation and drug abuse, he said.

His opponent for commissioner in the May 6 Democratic primary, Lisha Pompili-Baumiller, a longtime Hubbard council member, agrees that transportation is a problem, saying she will work diligently to bring senior transportation back, services that were cut.

Originally posted here:
Challenger says Trumbull commissioner Fuda lacks aggressiveness

The city is about to spend nearly $50 million to help alleviate flooding on Staten Island's South Shore by using its unique access to natural wetlands. NY1's Anthony Pascale filed the following report.

Even the threat of rain is enough to get Woodrow resident Michael Iacono concerned.

"If you come here tomorrow after we get a big storm, this whole area is underwater," Iacono pointed out.

He says flooding in the neighborhood has long been a problem.

"The yards and everything get flooded because the drainage is poor, they overdeveloped the area so without sewers it's kind of rough," Iacono said.

But Iacono says he's happy to know relief is on the way. The city announced a plan Monday to add catch basins and storm sewers to several Woodrow streets and allow 600 homeowners to get rid of their septic tanks and connect to the city's sewer system.

"Ah, that's good. I've been here 35 years and when I moved in here I built this house, they told me I'd be in the sewer two years from then," Leroy Metzger, a Woodrow homeowner.

The $48 million project would expand the Staten Island Bluebelt, a complex system that uses nature to drain stormwater. Sewers carry the water to wetlands, which naturally filter it and eventually discharge it into area waterways.

"Well these were really pioneered on Staten Island and it has to do with the grade and the fact that there's still some greenspace left because it's not as densely developed as other parts of the city so it's a really natural place to use this kind of drainage," said DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd.

Bluebelts are not new on Staten Island. There are actually 60 of them already on the South Shore alone. This latest one will be the largest until later this year when another is constructed to help mid-Island residents.

Read the rest here:
South Shore Homes Will Soon Join Bluebelt Drainage Loop