By JOSH HOPPE
DURANGO (The Durango Herald) -- A new sewer policy designed to protect area water supplies needs a few revisions before it can meet the "smell test," Durango City Council members said July 27.
The council delayed a decision on the new policy which would require properties that receive city water to also be hooked into the city sewer system.
Councilors voted 4-1 to continue the matter until Aug. 15 to give city staff members time to refine the policy so it would not place an unfair burden on some property owners who live far away from the nearest sewer line.
Mayor Jim Sheppard cast the lone dissenting vote.
Between 1960 and 1980 the city chose to extend city services to properties but not annex them. Instead, the city encouraged the formation of special water and sewer districts, Director of Planning and Community Development Greg Hoch said.
In 1981 the city reversed that practice and began taking over many of the special districts. This left water lines extended to areas where there was no central sewer service, Hoch said.
Councilor Joe Colgan said that given how the situation came about, he was uncomfortable asking property owners in these areas to now pay to extend sewer service.
"I think the policy makes a lot of sense ... but if we enact this policy, we end up with a situation that doesn't pass the smell test. No pun intended," Colgan said.
Three people who own property near the city's water supply in Terminal Reservoir said the policy would be burdensome.
"It would put an undue hardship on me," said Tom Probst, who bought property near the reservoir three months ago.
"I live one mile away from the nearest sewer line. It might cost me $200,000 to tie into the city sewer system."
He suggested the city allow him to use a septic system until the sewer lines are extended closer to his property.
Director of Public Works Jack Rogers said that if the city approves the new policy, it should consider extending sewer lines to the existing water mains. That could take five to seven years and cost $500,000, he said.
He said the new policy is needed to protect water from failing septic tanks.
"Septic tank failures can result in downstream property damage, well contamination, groundwater fouling or surface water contamination," Rogers said. "The city will be annexing most properties for which water service is being provided, and it is reasonable to require sewer service to all properties that will be annexed to the city."
The policy change would affect some properties near Terminal Reservoir and on County Road 206, State Highway 3 and East Animas Road, also know as County Road 250.
©2000 The Durango Herald, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
