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Durham council adopts city‑code change on water and sewer connections after residents raise drafting and pressure concerns
Summary
City council unanimously approved an amendment to the municipal code that clarifies when existing single‑family properties may connect to city water and sewer, following public comment questioning pressurized lines, parcel‑size limits and the potential for developer exploitation of drafting gaps.
The Durham City Council on April 7 voted unanimously to adopt an amendment to the city code governing water and sewer connections after residents raised concerns about how the changes would affect pressurized sewer lines, parcel sizes and the scope of extensions.
Residents during public comment said the draft language could be misinterpreted or exploited by large developers. Tina Marley Pearson told the council she supports limiting extensions beyond the city’s urban growth boundary but asked how pressurized lines and their restrictions would be handled for nearby properties that now rely on septics. “If this is the case, connecting them to the municipal sewer would be a problem,” she said.
Community member Kate Ross urged the council to tighten the ordinance’s language to close perceived loopholes. “My suggestion is [that you] explore how this document was drafted more carefully,” she said, warning that vague references to “supply quantity” and to approvals delegated to the municipal director could be exploited.
Scott Wyman of the Department of Planning responded that the amendment applies only to existing properties of one or two units and that larger developments (three units or more) would require annexation review. “This amendment only applies to properties existing. For one or two units. If you seek three or more, there is an annexation process,” Wyman told the council.
Council members asked staff to follow up with written responses to the speakers’ drafting concerns. After discussion, the council approved the ordinance amendment by unanimous vote.
The code amendment changes how certain properties adjacent to new systems may connect to city sewer infrastructure. Staff said the change is intended to allow connections where gravity or pump stations are built as part of new developments, but the council acknowledged public requests for clearer drafting and notification when administrative extension agreements are used.
Council instructions included a request that staff respond by email to the residents who raised concerns and provide language clarifications ahead of implementation.
