Health department highlights septic program funding and ongoing failures; board discusses sewer gaps in annexed neighborhoods

At the Aug. 12 Board of Health meeting Health Commissioner Phyllis Carter said the City Council held a first reading on a resolution to provide appropriation money for the health department’s septic program. During discussion the dollar amount was inconsistent on the record: Carter initially referred to $175,000, and another board member said the figure was $150,000; the board did not have a single confirmed amount on the transcript and staff did not present a formal, final figure at the meeting.

Environmental Health Director Carly Eady reported a septic failure in the Amanda area on Family Avenue at W Street at a rental property. Eady said the on‑site tank is not surfacing but is a concern; staff are requiring interim pumping and have arranged a site evaluation to determine what replacement system can be installed. Eady told the board the lot is small and “it looks like it may be a, off lot discharging system” could be required; that system type typically requires annual maintenance contracts with service providers.

Why this matters: the city still has sizable neighborhoods that were annexed when sewers were not available; many houses remain on septic systems, and failures can create public health and nuisance issues. Board discussion referenced the long history of the issue, dating to annexations in the mid‑1990s, and members asked about costs and timelines for repairs or connections.

Costs, timelines and interim measures: staff said interim mitigation for the Family Avenue site is routine pumping and monitoring while a site evaluation proceeds; one staff comment in the meeting put pumping costs at about $400. Board members and staff said site evaluations and replacement costs vary by soil and system type; a definitive cost for replacement was not provided at the meeting.

Policy and next steps discussed: staff said the department will pursue the usual permitting and site‑evaluation process, will require the owner to correct the failing system, and will continue outreach on septic options. Health Commissioner Carter said the department will continue seeking matching funds from the county if the council appropriation is approved. No board motion or vote on the septic program appropriation occurred at the meeting; the city council first reading is the legislative step referenced by the health commissioner.

Board members discussed broader sewer access, noting that in some annexed areas sewers were not in place when properties joined the city and that extending sewer mains is a costly, long‑term municipal infrastructure decision beyond the health department’s direct authority. Staff said they will continue to track failures and work through repair and permitting processes.