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Resident urges change to plumbing code that requires private wells to hook to city water in some areas
Summary
A resident asked the council to reconsider a city plumbing code (cited as chapter 20‑8‑c, paragraph 2) that he says obliges some homeowners to connect private wells to city water, estimating heavy costs for affected properties. Council heard the comment during citizen statements; no action was taken.
During citizen statements on Feb. 11 resident Steven Faust urged the council to modify a plumbing provision he cited as “chapter 20‑8‑c, paragraph 2,” arguing the rule requires homeowners with private wells in newly annexed western areas to hook to city water and pay to bring a lateral into their basements.
Faust told council that wells in western Oshkosh are substantially deeper (he said 160 to 210 feet) than older east‑side wells and that forcing hookups now is an unnecessary expense for homeowners who may never use city water. He estimated the direct hookup cost for a homeowner at about $6,000 (not including sidewalk or landscaping repairs) and extrapolated roughly 100 affected homes, producing an aggregate estimate of about $600,000 in homeowner costs.
Faust said homeowners can install a connection later if needed and that the current code compels private property work that he characterized as “wasteful spending.” He asked council to review or modify the code for properties unlikely to use city water, saying the requirement imposes undue expense on residents.
No council action was taken at the meeting; the comment was entered as part of the public comment record.
