A Conversation with Johnson County, KS, Wastewater

Telephone conversation with Dick Alexander,Senior Planning Engineer, Johnson County Wastewater (Project Engineer for sewers on the 80 acres, 159th/Metcalf, Johnson County, Kansas.) December 10, 2007, Shirley Phillips.

Overview: Developers of the 80 acres may form a "Contract (Sewer) District" whereby

they control 100% of the petition--THERE IS NO SAY OR SIGNING OF PETITION ALLOWED for any other homeowners downstream! Developers are proposing a gravity sewer system whereby a main sewer trunk line would run east of the 80 acres, through Blue Valley Riding, through Stanley Park, other neighborhoods (e.g. Blue Valley Heights), then south across 167th street to tie into another main trunk line, then finally to Kenneth Road (Blue River) Sewage Treatment Plant. Johnson County Wastewater (JCW) estimates this main trunk line will cost $2 million dollars: JCW will pay 90%, developer will pay 10% or $200,000

NOTE: At any time, residents can also initiate a "traditional petition" sewer proposal and JCW will

pay 100% of the cost of the main trunk lines. Gettings sewers does NOT depend on this project!

Background: On most sewer projects, there are three kinds of pipes that are used. Here

are pipes which would apply for this gravity sewer scenerio:

1. Main trunk line (big pipe which carries most of the sewage, size: 12-18" or larger diameter pipe, usually

buried 15' or more with 30 foot easement area required. Johnson County Wastewater (JCW) pays

100% of all costs for main trunk line, if requested by citizens; 90% of costs, if developer requested. Developer pays remaining 10% cost.

2. Laterals (which hook up to the main trunk line, usually 8" in diameter, usually buried several feet deeper

than basement level, with smaller easement area. Citizens pick up 100% of these costs through the neighborhood; and developer, as well, pays 100% of these costs in any project. .

3. Service line is a 4" diameter pipe which usually runs from the house to the lateral, however, if

a home is within 200 feet of a main trunk line, a service line can run directly into a main trunk line.

No easement requirements on service lines.

Sewers are usually of two types:

1. Gravity sewers--which use the force of gravity to move sewage in the lines or, like Option 1 below,

uses one big pump to push sewage into a nearby trunk line.

2. Low-pressure system which does not use gravity; movement of sewage is accomplished

by a "grinder pump" usually located outside a house, which has a motor and forces the sewage

to the nearby lateral line. Each individual pump forces the sewage into nearby line.

1. Please explain how the 80-acre development could proceed with sewers?

Two options:

Option 1: Similar to a gravity line: Developer lays the lateral and service lines, Johnson County Wastewater lays main service line with one big pump station--to pump sewage to the main trunk line that presently runs along Metcalf.

County says pump station would run roughly $300,000-$400,000 The pump station would run several times a day and force the sewage up to Metcalf but the generator would run about once a week (to keep it lubricated and in repair). County would pay for 90% of the costs of the main trunk line

and pump station; developer would pay 10% of costs (trunk line + pump station). If power goes out, there are generators in place to deal with this, there is also an additional pump, if one pump fails.

Disadvantages of Option 1: pump station has a life of about 15-20 years. There would be maintenance

and operation fees that JCW (Johnson County Wastewater) would incur. Johnson County Wastewater

would prefer gravity sewers, however, this is not a given.

Advantages: Quick, easy to do--downstream area is not forced to have a main trunk line for gravity sewers.

(Note: JCW is not in favor of any kind of grinder pump sewer system on this 80-acre development. With this system, each individual grinder pump pushes the sewage to the main Metcalf sewer line. However,

a pump station is not the same as a grinder pump system. A pump station would collect all the sewage and

push it out ALL AT ONCE, from a single pump, to the Metcalf sewer line.)

Option 2: Developers request a "gravity sewer line" that would require ALL land downstream to accomodate this development. A main trunk line would run from eastern boundary of the 80-acre development down through Blue Valley Riding, across and under Riggs Road, along the creek area--all the way to 167th street, where the main trunk line would tie into another main line, before going to the Kenneth

Road treatment plant.

Advantages: No pumps to maintain or operate for the county.

Costs: County would pay roughly $2 million dollars (estimate of 10,000 ft. @ $200/foot, could run more in

rocky areas). County would pick up 90% of costs, developer would pay 10% of costs, or about $200,000.

Disadvantages: Developer has complete control of project--he forms a "contract district" and has 100%

of vote--there is NO SAY to anyone downstream who does not want a main trunk line coming through their property. The developer forces the main trunk line all the way through Section 17 (the one-mile area:'Metcalf to Nall, 159th/167).

2. So a gravity sewer, as the developer is proposing, is in a "Contract District?"

Yes. This means that the 80 acre development is considered owning 100% of the land within the contract district and would control ALL the main trunk line, there is NO VOTE by anyone downstream.

However, there would be a hearing before the Board of County Commissioners

to get their approval for this option. Postcards would not likely be mailed; notice would be

posted in Sun Newspaper or on Wastewater website. Citizens could attend hearing & speak.

3. We were told that 51% of property owners would have to approve of this trunk line. Is this correct?

This is not correct. If this were a "Traditional Petition" for sewers, then 51% of all property owners in

the watershed area served by the sewer would have to approve. With a "Contract District," the

developer has complete control, there is no 51% vote.

4. If this 80-acre development were voted down, could the neighborhood still get a main trunk line? What would be the cost?

Absolutely, yes--the neighborhood could still get a main trunk line and JCW would pay 100% of the costs for ANY main trunk line.

5. Statements are being made that if we don't do this now, we'll never get a main trunk sewer line and it will be expensive.

This is not true. If, at a later date, lets say the 80-acres decides to go with a pump station

and does not pursue a gravity sewer--if 51% of all landowners (in the watershed area being served) want a main trunk line, then the county will pay for 100%.

6. Repeat, what does the county pay?

The county pays 100% of the costs of a main trunk line if citizens request a line.

County pays 90% of main trunk line if developer requested.

7. Please explain more about Option 2, which the developer is now proposing which

would require a main sewer trunk line to run through the entire section 17, one-mile area:

• The main trunk line would be roughly 12-18" in diameter and would be buried roughly 15 feet deep (it would have to be lower than nearby creeks). The main trunk line would run from eastern boundary of the 80-acre proposed development, between homes in Blue Valley Riding, cross under Riggs Road near the creek, and run along the creek, into Stanley Park, then wind its way along down to 167, where it would tie into the other main trunk line past 167th. [See drawing. The solid red line is the main trunk line. You can see if your yard would have sewer construction and how close you would be to the sewer. Drawing provided by JCW]

• Permanent 30-foot easements would be required from all property owners along the main trunk line. Payment would be made for easements based on a formula of 25% of land value and square footage required. No building or planting of trees on permanent easement areas. Only lawn or some fencing allowed. If owner puts anything on easement area, they would not be reimbursed if county had dig into easement area. Manholes would also be required every 400 feet, in order to examine sewer line. [See illustration. This image is an estimate of a 60 ft easement for illustrative purposes only created by NeighborhoodNet. It is not supplied by or reviewed by JCW. It gives an idea of how much forest would be affected]

• Eminent Domain (Condemnation) would be used to obtain an easement area if the homeowner refused to give permission for easement.

• There would also be temporary easements (of about two years during which construction would occur) which would require another 30 ft--so that construction could occur and machinery and workers could move--trees may have to be cleared in the 60 ft.easement area too.

• Blasting had to occur in The Wilderness Area because so much rock was encountered. However blasting would not be allowed near homes--a Ram Hoe (a Bobcat-like tractor with a big ram on it) would be used to break up rock. Blasting would probably not be permitted in the Stanley Park either--will check on this.

8. Is JCW aware of two sewer polls, of Section 17 one-mile study area that showed overwhelming opposition to sewers? One poll, in 1995, whether to allow gravity sewers had 90% return rate, 90% in opposition. Second poll, 1998, whether to allow grinder pump system, showed 88% oppositiion.

Yes, they are reviewing this information.

9. When did developers propose Option 2 for a gravity sewer, main trunk line?

Phelps Engineering, working for the developer, mentioned gravity sewers as another option in early fall.

10. Would this main trunk line obligate all of Section 17 to go to gravity sewers?

There is no obligation. However, it is likely. If a main trunk line was laid, homes within 200 feet

could run a service line to tap into the main trunk line (however, they would still have to pay full costs

if they later become part of a "lateral district"). Furthermore, homes within streets could

petition to form a "lateral sewer district." For example, lets say 6 homes along a

street want a lateral sewer so they can hook up their homes. JCW certifys that this little area is a lateral sewer district--then, if 51% of the homes on that street vote in favor,a lateral sewer district is formed. The other homes on the street would be part of the district whether they want to or not. In any neighborhood, there could be a number of small lateral sewer districts, depending on who wanted to be on sewers.

11. What costs are involved with a main trunk line, laterals, then service lines?

How much would it cost for a home to hook up?

*Main trunk line (NO COST--JCW pays costs). If Blue Valley Riding were to go completely

on gravity sewers, another trunk line would ultimately have to be laid, following roughly the

stream past 163 Terrace, then south through Blue Valley Riding. However, we are only

talking ONE trunk line at this point--not two. In either case, there would be no cost to the residents

for a main trunk line--or two in the future. A second trunk line would exit to the southeast of the 80-acre development

*Lateral line district: Usually $20,000+ per home with payment plus interest over 20 years.

Lateral lines are dug a few feet deeper than basement level and rocky terrain can definitely increase costs.

Lateral lines usually follow the street layout.

*Decommission septic system: fill it, etc: Usually $500.

Service line run from home to lateral (or main) line: Usually $30/ft, estimate about $6,000

Sewer line connection fee (to hook service line to lateral or main line): $3,684

Bimonthly waste water bill (for wastewater service): based on water usage. See www.jcw.org for rate fees.

CIP Fee (Capital Improvement Fee): $101/yr in your property tax assessments each yr.

Total costs: around $30,000 to 32,000+ (not counting ongoing waste water utility bills or yearly CIP fee)

12. How would this compare to costs for a septic system?

JCW has no septic system figures. (Shirley here: I called Roberts Septic System, phone: 913.731.6471 in business since 1939. Here are his estimates: New system: $6,800 to $22,000 depending on size of septic, perc test, etc. Repairs would cost less. All work done would meet new county codes for septic systems.

13. You mention 200' feet as the maximum distance a service line could run to a main/lateral line.

Is this a hard and fast rule?

Yes--we usually don't want service lines to run beyond 200'--sometimes we'll make an exception and

allow a service line to run 220 feet or possible 240 feet--but that's rare.

14. Would the creek be straightened?

No--federal water rules prevent a sewer line from disrupting the creek. We would have to stay 25' away

from bank of creek. This means the main trunk line would run generally east of the creek area--then into

Stanley Park and down near creek area again. And yes, it would run through residents yards.

15. What if a homeowner had septic problems and they were within 200' of the main trunk line, would

they have to hook-up?

Generally, Johnson County would inspect the septic system. If major repairs were needed, yes, the homeowner would have to connect to the sewer line. If the home were farther than 200 feet, the County

may still require that the home connect to sewers. In this case, the homeowner would pay not only for

the service line but for part of the lateral line--he would be given credit for payment of this fee if a lateral

district were formed at a later time. If fees were too expensive, homeowner could peition to stay with septic.

16. What if the developer's proposal gets defeated? Does the main trunk line come through?

The developer would probably withdraw the gravity sewer proposal--this does not stay with the land.

JCW will not pursue this project on their own. If however, at a later date, as previously said, residents want to form a sewer district, then JCW will pay 100% of the costs of a main trunk line (or 2) in the neighborhood.

17. Will this 80 acres be required to put sewer stubs along other parts of this development?

Yes--even if they decide to go with pump station (Option 1), they will be required to have stumps

(for possible future gravity lines) at east and southeast border line of this development.

18. Are there other options for homes besides gravity sewers?

Low-pressure sewer systems with grinder pumps are also an option, however, feedback from

these systems are not glowing. In this system, less excavation is done to install a service line

with a grinder pump and motor forcing the sewage to the street lateral line. If power fails, then

there could be a back-up of sewage into the home. JCW has a contract with a pumper to come

and pump out stations at individual homes in the event of a power failure. However, the homeowner would be instructed NOT to create sewage (don't run toilets, bathe, wash clothes, etc.) during a power crisis.

There could be the risk of sewage backup--and the cost of installation for these grinder systems are

almost equal to gravity sewers. Grinder systems are only about 10-15% cheaper.

19. If this 80-acre project is approve, with gravity sewers, what is the timeline for laying the main trunk line?

This would be almost a two-year project and we imagine the developer would want us to begin immediately.

20. Will developer try to fund his portion with TIF?

We don't know how the developer will fund this. We only take his payment, we don't check how it is obtained.

21 Has the developer applied for a sewer application yet?

No--he's still weighing his options.

22. Why would Johnson County pay $1.8+ million of taxpayers money for a main trunk line when a pump station for this 80 acres would cost less?

We are still reviewing this situation--and the Board of County Comissioners have the final vote in this matter.

--Interview, December 10, Shirley Phillips with Dick Alexander, Johnson County Wastewater Engineer,

in charge of the sewer portion of the 159th/Metcalf, 80-acre project.