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Staff to draft code change allowing fee waiver so Gloucester can join HRSD septic-to-sewer incentive program
Summary
HRSD offered a grant program that would waive its $2,500 connection fee for homeowners who abandon septic and connect to sewer; county staff will draft code amendments to allow the Board to waive local connection fees so Gloucester can participate.
Gloucester County staff told supervisors that the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) received a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality to incentivize septic-to-sewer hookups and that HRSD will waive its $2,500 connection fee for participants. HRSD asked member localities to consider matching that waiver by temporarily waiving local connection fees to increase program uptake.
Public Utilities staff explained HRSD’s proposed program would have residents request to abandon a septic tank and connect to county sewer; HRSD would pay its waiver and localities were asked to decide whether to waive local fees. County attorney review found the current county code does not permit the Board to waive fees; it allows the board to set fees but not to waive them.
Why it matters: pairing HRSD’s $2,500 waiver with a local fee waiver would reduce up-front costs for homeowners and could accelerate septic-system abandonment, improving water quality and reducing nonpoint-source pollution. The board directed staff to draft an amendment to the county code to allow the board to waive connection fees under defined conditions and to return the amendment for a work session and possible public hearing in October.
Next steps: staff will prepare proposed ordinance language to permit fee waivers and present it for the board’s consideration at a future work session, enabling Gloucester to participate in HRSD’s incentive program if the board elects to do so.
