Waverly council approves study to explore water and sewer extension for Heinz Addition after residents raise cost and health concerns

The City of Waverly on June 16 approved a professional services agreement with Snyder & Associates not to exceed $101,950 to produce preliminary designs for water and sewer extensions to the Heinz Addition.

The council approved the professional-services resolution by unanimous vote after more than an hour of discussion and public comment about likely homeowner costs, septic-system failures, well-water testing and whether property owners would be required to connect once mains were available.

City staff described the contract as a study and preliminary-design step, not a requirement that anyone connect. "This is preliminary plans, basically, to get drafted, to see, you know, we gotta do a site survey," a city staff member said. The study will include surveying, evaluation of potential lift-station locations and environmental review needs, staff said.

Nut graf: The study, funded from water and sewer enterprise funds, is intended to give the city and residents cost estimates and design options so Waverly can respond if failing septic systems or future development make public utilities the preferred option. Residents at the meeting said current septic and well systems are functioning and expressed alarm…