Sewer deal has
unanswered
questions

Three western Columbus County municipalities and the county have come together to save a $3 million sewer grant.

Sewer is vital infrastructure for industry and subdivision development.

Cerro Gordo, Boardman and Fair Bluff all received grant funds to run lines to a new wastewater treatment plant near Fairmont. Construction is 100 percent financed. The state allowed the towns to come together for a cooperative project on the condition that the county be involved as conduit for administrative purposes.

All of this is positive, but there are still many questions that need to be answered before commitments are made.

The county will own and be responsible for the operation of force mains and lift stations. Lift stations are an expensive component and the county is solely responsible for those.

The county isn’t sure how much sewer will be pumped to the treatment plant, but County Finance Director Leo Hunt says personnel and upkeep could cost more than the $2.50 per 1,000 gallons the county will get from the towns.

There is only $40,000 in start-up funding in the new county budget. County taxpayers may have to pick up the balance.

County Manager Jim Varner speculates, as does Hunt, that county residents living outside the municipalities may not be able to hook on to the system since the county-owned portions are forced pressure points.

In addition, a lease draft for the pump stations, which is separate from the main contract and not yet signed, names Columbus County Water and Sewer District II as the responsible party in charge of the leases and pump station liability insurance and upkeep.

District II residents don’t need more burden than they have now to operate their water system.
This cooperative sewer project is needed for western Columbus County, but there are many questions about costs and budgeting that need answering before the dotted line is signed.