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Local septic haulers urge Hot Springs to keep sewer-plant disposal open after July 1
Summary
Two local septic contractors told the Hot Springs City Council they rely on the city’s wastewater plant to dispose of trucked septic waste and said a July 1 cutoff would jeopardize their businesses and increase costs for county residents.
Two Hot Springs-area septic contractors told the City Council on May 19 that an announced plan to stop accepting trucked septic waste at the city wastewater plant after July 1 would have immediate business and long-term maintenance consequences.
Brett Courtney, owner of Southern Hills Septic, and Rick Harris of Black Hills Septic said they haul residential septic and holding-tank waste to the Hot Springs plant because it is the nearest available disposal point. Courtney said his firm bought the business in 2021 and that part of the firm’s business model depends on access to the city plant. He said he was informed in January that the plant would no longer accept trucked waste after July 1.
“The maintenance on the septic systems are gonna go down,” Courtney said, warning that skipped pumpings will lead to failed systems and higher replacement costs for property owners. He said some nearby jurisdictions, including Rapid City, will not accept outside-trucked waste or require the waste originate in their jurisdiction, forcing longer drives and sharp increases in operating costs for local haulers.
Rick Harris told the council Black Hills Septic has used the Hot Springs plant since February 2017 and that losing access would “triple” his operating costs. Harris said grit and odor are cited as the plant’s problems but suggested those issues largely originate elsewhere in the collection system and that haulers have adapted practices to reduce grit and protect the plant.
Mayor Bob Nelson asked one of the contractors, “Brent, would you stop down at City Hall tomorrow morning, if you can, and talk with me?” and invited further discussion with staff. Council members said staff would take the concerns under advisement.
The contractors asked whether the city would consider continuing to accept trucks under revised terms or a fee increase to offset additional treatment costs. They stressed the local economic ties of their businesses: hiring local employees, purchasing supplies in town and serving county residents who rely on private septic systems.
No council action was taken at the meeting. City staff did not offer a detailed operational timetable for the wastewater plant’s acceptance policy during public comment. Members of the public and council said city staff would follow up.
Courtney and Harris both asked the city to consider options other than an immediate cutoff in the middle of the summer service season; Harris specifically requested an extension to the end of the season in November as a minimum compromise.
Council members did not make any policy commitments at the meeting; they asked staff to meet with the contractors and bring information back to council for consideration.
