City outlines sanitary‑sewer options for property at McMillan Street and St. Joseph Avenue

Mark Kuevilia, Wastewater Superintendent, briefed the council Aug. 26 on sanitary‑sewer alternatives for a parcel at the northwest corner of W. McMillan Street and St. Joseph Avenue.

Kuevilia said the preferred method is a gravity connection to the nearest sanitary main in the Prairie Run development, but a gap in easements and a roughly 15‑foot elevation difference relative to the property would need to be addressed. "Wherever you have a gravity sanitary main, it's gonna flow by itself," he said.

If gravity connection is not feasible, Kuevilia said a private pump station on the property could lift flows to a nearby manhole on McMillan and then flow by gravity downstream to the Lincoln Lift Station; he reported the downstream infrastructure has capacity and is in good condition. A third option is a private on‑site wastewater treatment system (engineered septic or treatment unit) if lot sizes and county permitting allow. The simplest alternative is an on‑site holding tank that would require periodic pumping and disposal at a permitted treatment plant.

In questions from the council, Alderman Tompkins asked whether holding tanks are inspected. Kuevilia said counties require permits and inspections for septic and holding tanks; tank emptying is handled by a private hauler. A resident in the audience said a family of five with a holding tank arranges monthly pumping at roughly $200 per service, providing a real‑world example of recurring expense associated with that option.

Kuevilia emphasized that his presentation covered physical viability only; zoning, permitting, engineering and cost estimates were outside the scope and would require follow‑up if the council directs further study.

Ending: The council received the information for consideration; no formal action or funding decision was made at the meeting.