City of Southfield to hold Sewer, Septic System & Well Forum October 25 at Levey Middle School
October 12, 2017 | Posted In: Public Works Updates
The city of Southfield will hold a public forum on city sewer, septic systems and wells on Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Levey Middle School, 25300 W. Nine Mile Road.
The forum will provide important information for residents who are not connected to city water and sewer systems on the care and maintenance of both. The event will feature a presentation by Oakland County Health Department Chief Sanitarian Christopher Strnad on the care and management of septic systems and wells used for drinking and other domestic purposes.
City staff will also provide an overview of: the benefits of connecting to the city sewer system; septic system maintenance tips and inspection checklist; and city sewer connection costs and loan program. Handouts will be available of topics covered and residents will have an opportunity to ask questions following the presentations.
There are approximately 1000 homes in the city that currently have septic systems. City and state ordinances require that septic systems must be inspected every three years. If a septic system fails, it creates a health and environmental hazard and greatly devalues the worth of a property. Replacement costs of septic systems vary depending on the area’s water table, the topography of the lot and composition of soil. In many cases, it is often cheaper or comparable cost to connect to the city sanitary sewer.
Over 20 years ago, residents began requesting that the city install sanitary sewers in areas where none existed. Consequently, the City borrowed $38.3 million in 1998 to bring sanitary sewers in neighborhoods without them. Since then homeowners have been connecting at a lower rate than anticipated. To encourage connecting, the city has recently lowered the tap-in fee, is investigating environmental grant funding (and perhaps a deferred loan program), seeking to create a “group” contractor for installation to lower the price per linear foot based on the depth of the dig and is enhancing its list of qualified contractors.
The 1998 sewer project affected 32 miles of residential roads and 1800 single family homes. Prior to this project, these homes were in areas without access to trunk line sewer systems.
The distance between the city sewer line and a home’s sewer connection drive the cost of the installation. In some cases, tapping into the city sanitary sewer become cost prohibitive. Southfield does offer a low interest (3%) loan to residents who wish help in financing the connection to city sewer.
In Southfield, most people assume that residents are connected to the Detroit water system/Great Lakes Water Authority. However, there are numerous homeowners whose water source is from wells. Well water needs to be tested on a regular basis to keep residents safe.
For more information, contact the Building Department at 1-248-796-4100.
