Cape neighbors looking forward to sewer connection

After more than 40 years of waiting, residents of the 1600 block of Kingsway Drive will soon be able to flush without worry.

No more backed-up septic systems. No more foul smells. And no more regular plumbing bills. That's what homeowner Kay Gilliland is looking forward to when seven properties along the block are hooked up to the city's sewer system.

"I'm very excited," she said. "We're happy about getting the sewers. We've had trouble with the drainage lines of our septic system. The back yard is full of moisture because sometimes there's no place for the water to go."

The addition of about 600 feet of sanitary sewer main allows four homes on the north side of the street and two homes and an empty lot on the south side to hook up to the city's system. Dutch Enterprises started the $71,126 project Oct. 6 and is scheduled to complete it Dec. 4.

Property owners will be assessed the costs on their next tax bill based on the size of their lot, said project manager Tom Wiesner of the city engineer's office.

At a cost of 52 cents per square foot, the owner of a 10,200-square-foot lot can expect to pay about $5,300, plus the cost of hiring a private plumber to connect the home's service line to the main sewer line.

Gilliland has her septic system pumped about four times a year to keep problems at bay, she said. With having to pay $100 per pump job, the new sewer line could save her money in the long run. Her cost will be about $4,300, she said.

Resident Randy Morris owns the majority of the block and expects to pay about $30,000 for his part of the sewer line project.

"It will resolve some problems, but it's put me in a hell of a financial pinch, too," he said. "I'm glad it's here, because it will do a lot of good for the environment, but that's a lot of cost to swallow."

Owners can either pay the cost in a lump sum or use a 10-year repayment plan with interest. The interest rate will be set when special assessments are issued and after the project is completed, said city finance director John Richbourg. The current 10-year rate is 4.2 percent.

"When they are issued, we go back to the last 10-year note auction," he said. "There should be one in November to go by. It's a better rate than one you can go out and finance on your own."

Property owners got together several years ago to petition the city to construct the line, but there was no upfront money available at the time to pay for it, Wiesner said.

The city has completed similar sewer projects funded by special tax bills in the last two years, he said.

The contractor has encountered some rock during the excavation, but that problem has not halted the project. In addition, there shouldn't be any noticeable interruption in service for homeowners, Wiesner said.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160