GROWING FRUITLAND AREA TO ADDRESS SEWERS

FRUITLAND -- New subdivisions, industry and businesses have generated new interest among some Fruitland area residents to establish a sewer district.

Between 900 and 1,200 new residences, including homes and mobile homes, are expected to be occupied in the area before the end of the year.

Procter and Gamble Co. plans a $350 million plant expansion that is expected to add more than 350 jobs. The expansion is likely to generate new development in nearby Fruitland.

A town-hall meeting will be held May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the VIP Industries building in Fruitland. Residents who attend will learn more about projected growth and have the opportunity to assess interest in establishing an areawide sewer district.

A sewer district is a political entity similar to a water district or rural fire protection district. If formed the district would have authority, with voter approval, to levy taxes and sell bonds to pay for sewer projects.

"What we're proposing is to set up a sewer district for the Fruitland and Pocahontas area," said Mark Kasten, mayor of Pocahontas. "With the growth out here that's happened, and the growth that's anticipated in the next couple of years, the sooner we get started the better."

Sharon Schuessler and Chris Johnston of Fruitland agreed. With Kasten, they are helping organize the meeting.

"If we don't develop a sewer system, we're not going to have pure water," Schuessler said. "I think the interest is here because the community is growing."

The meeting is a first step to see if people in the area share concerns about sewage treatment. If interest exists, committees will be formed to study specific areas, Schuessler said.

Schuessler said organizers also will ask if people attending the meeting are interested in incorporating Fruitland. Pocahontas has long been incorporated.

Kasten said the group is initially looking at an area of about 100 square miles. About 1,400 residences already exist in the area.

Most homes have septic tanks. Some larger subdivisions and businesses have sewage lagoons. But Kasten said as the population becomes increasingly dense, a sewer system is needed.

"This is really becoming a problem," Kasten said.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission has provided information to organizers about how to go about organizing the district.

"We're not going to organize this effort," said Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones. "But we'll be available to help if this is what the people want to do."

Commissioner Larry Bock said the issue of sewers in the Fruitland area isn't new. "We've talked about this for about three years," he said. "A sewer system is needed for health reasons."

Commissioner Max Stovall said with rapid growth expected in the area a sewer system makes sense. "The population is too dense for septic tanks," he said. "I think this would be a real step forward."

Organizing a sewer district would likely take several years.

"We're talking about a large area, a lot of people, a lot of money, a lot of paperwork and a lot of government agencies," said Kasten. "That means we're talking about a lot of time."

If voters think a sewer district is needed, it could be three to five years before a system could become operational.