Amazon-funded sewer extension will force nearby Trumbull County properties to connect, engineer says

Trumbull County sanitary engineering staff told commissioners that Amazon’s private sewer extension to serve a new facility will create a sewer main along a route where 27 properties can connect and that the developer has paid required department fees.

Gary Newcross, sanitary engineer, said Amazon constructed a private extension that places a sewer main close to 27 residences, and that Amazon volunteered to pay county and health-department fees for those properties. Newcross said the county had not yet received all checks but that fees were on file and that letters notifying residents of the upcoming connection will be mailed.

Engineers and commissioners clarified that homeowners remain responsible for the cost of running a service lateral from the roadside connection to their houses and any septic abandonment or tank crushing work required by the health department. Newcross estimated private connection costs could be several thousand dollars per property; he said there is no standard county assessment or reimbursement program that would cover those homeowner costs.

Commissioners and staff discussed timing and enforcement: homeowners will receive notices with deadlines to connect; health‑department waivers can be issued for existing functioning on‑site sewage systems for limited intervals if warranted. Staff suggested contacting Amazon to see whether the company will assist homeowners beyond paying the county fees.

The county engineer’s office said it would attempt to identify if any residents had extraordinary hardship and, where possible, seek negotiation with Amazon about additional assistance. No formal vote or county-funded reimbursement program was adopted at the meeting.