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 at preliminary homeowner cost estimates included in the city letter.

Council and staff summary

City staff told the council the Heinz Addition has a mix of older septic systems and wells; some systems may be near the end of their useful life and, because current county setback and parcel-size rules can make conventional septic replacement infeasible, public sewer may become the only practical option for some lots. "Most are 50 years old, end of life," Lindsey Kaylor, Bremer County environmental director, said during public comment. Kaylor described county setbacks and said replacement septics may not be feasible on many lots.

Justin and James, city staff, emphasized that this action funds preliminary engineering only. "This is just a study to see what could be done, and we don't intend to force anyone to hook up," a city staff member said during the discussion. Staff said some funding for design work is from previously allocated bond or enterprise funds; if a construction project were later pursued it could use SRF (State Revolving Fund) financing.

Public comment and residents' concerns

Dozens of Heinz Addition residents spoke during the meeting. Erin Adams, a resident of 110 Gable Lane, summarized information in the letter the city mailed and said the county requires connection to sewer when a septic fails or when a property is sold unless the system passes inspection. "In the letter it says Bremer County would require property owners to connect to the sewer when our current septic system fails or needs replacement," Adams said, adding that the letter and verbal comments by staff felt inconsistent on whether connections would be optional.

Several residents pressed the council on cost. Speakers gave rough estimates that homeowners might face roughly $10,000 for water connections and as much as $15,000 for sewer connections — about $25,000 combined — which residents said would be onerous. Brian Hocky, 105 South Ridge Drive, said he had spent thousands updating his septic and well and did not want to be forced into paying to connect.

Staff and council response

Staff repeated that the contract funds preliminary engineering to produce site surveys, cost estimates and alternative alignments. They said a stub for future service could be provided so homeowners could defer connection, and that assessments could be structured over 10 years if property owners chose that option. "You can hook up now if you want to or you could wait until it fails," a city staff member said. "But if you wait until it fails, you're gonna have to get it done in a hurry."

County public-health staff explained technical constraints: lots in the neighborhood average about three-quarters of an acre while current rules require two acres for conventional septic systems, making replacement on-site infeasible for many lots. "Your setbacks are from your neighbor's too," said Lindsey Kaylor, Bremer County environmental director.

Formal action and next step

The council approved Resolution 25-89, a professional services agreement with Snyder & Associates for Heinz Addition water and sewer preliminary design, for a not-to-exceed amount of $101,950. The motion and subsequent vote authorized the study only; no construction contract or assessment was approved. The resolution passed unanimously.

Ending: City officials said the study will provide clearer cost estimates and options; if the council later pursues construction, staff said it will return with financing proposals and a timeline. Residents were urged to stay engaged with staff for updates and to provide input during design and before any construction or assessment decisions are made.