The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners approved a Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) local sewer assessment project to serve two single-family properties at 6340 and 6334 Upper Road in Delhi Township to address failed household sewage treatment systems.

MSD said the project was a petition-initiated assessment that originally included five properties but will proceed for only two homes because extending the sewer to the other three would raise topography and hillside-stability concerns. MSD notified the other owners, who did not object, and Hamilton County Public Health confirmed the remaining three systems are operable.

MSD representative Lauren DeGresia told the board the construction estimate for the reduced-scope project is $212,000. Property owners served will be assessed up to $12,000 after construction and may pay through a 20-year property-tax assessment program.

Commissioners approved the request as part of regular agenda items; the board recorded an affirmative vote that included Commissioners Driehaus and Reese. MSD will proceed with design and construction for the two properties and has informed the owners removed from the petition that they are not being assessed at this time.

DeGresia said the change in scope was made to protect hillside stability and that no public hearing was required because the required level of owner support remained intact for the two-benefited-property project.

MSD will bring project cost finalization and assessment details to owners after construction is complete; county public-health staff will continue to monitor onsite treatment systems in the area.