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Spring City amends sewer ordinance: 24-month hookup window and waiver of impact fees for existing septic systems
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance amendment requiring property owners to connect to public sewer within 24 months of official notice; the city waived impact fees for properties with existing permitted septic systems and said it will install laterals to property lines as part of the project.
Spring City’s council adopted Ordinance 2025-06 amending the municipal sewer code to set a 24-month hookup period after official notice and to waive impact fees for property owners who already have established, permitted septic systems.
Mayor Randy Strait and council members described the amendment as a response to state public-health and water-quality requirements. Staff said state rules require connections where sewers are available within a specified distance (staff cited the Utah Department of Water Quality standard that triggers hook-up obligations for properties within approximately 300 feet of a sewer). The ordinance sets the city’s local process: once the sewer line serving a given street becomes operational, property owners will receive an official notice and have 24 months to complete a connection.
City staff clarified the cost allocation: the project will provide the public lateral (the stub to the property line) as part of the construction program; property owners are responsible for connecting from that lateral at the property line to their residence (installing piping and any required on-site work). The ordinance specifically waives impact and connection fees for owners who have an established and improved septic system that pre-dates the ordinance’s effective date; new construction and new permits will remain subject to fees.
Councilmembers and residents at public comment raised affordability concerns. Multiple public commenters said the estimated in-home connection cost could reach tens of thousands of dollars; council members and staff responded that the city will provide informational support, produce a list of contractors, and continue to pursue grant and assistance options. Staff also said the city already includes the lateral (stub-off) in the public project to reduce individual homeowner cost.
Why it matters: Staff said recent water testing shows contamination risk connected to failing septic systems and that state law and public-health standards require local action. The ordinance establishes the city’s timeline and local fee policy to comply with state requirements while limiting immediate fee exposure for existing septic households.
Council action: Councilmember Ken Crook moved adoption of Ordinance 2025-06; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous recorded vote.
Next steps: Staff will send an informational packet to residents, publish construction and hookup timelines, compile a list of vetted contractors for property owners, and continue to pursue grant funding and other assistance to help households manage hookup costs.
