Subject:
Title
Consider amending and reenacting Section 7-3-3(e)(1) - When and Where Connection Required to Public City Sewer Main, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Harrisonburg
Body
Presented By: Chris Brown, City Attorney
Recommendation and Review
Section 7-3-3 of City Code requires newly constructed buildings to connect to the city public sewer unless certain limited exceptions are met. That section requires any property with a septic system which is failing and cannot be repaired to connect to the city public sewer system. Section 7-3-3 also allows a residential property owner utilizing a septic system to voluntarily connect to the city public sewer system.
The Harrisonburg Department of Public Utilities encourages any property owner with a septic system to properly close that septic system and connect to the public sewer. The Public Utilities Department has a Septic Assistance Program referenced in 7-3-3(e)(1) which provides economic assistance with the costs of closing a septic system and connecting to the public sewer system, including the waiver of sewer connection fees. Council recently amended the water and sewer connection and cost recovery fees. The proposed ordinance amendment would increase the available fee waiver from $4500 to $5000 to match the current fees.
There are approximately 80 septic systems in operation in the City. Each year a small number of those systems are closed, and those properties are connected to the public sewer system.