Durham council amends city code to expand limited hookups to city water and sewer

Durham City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to adopt a city-code amendment that expands when existing properties may connect to city water and sewer lines outside the urban growth boundary.

Supporters and opponents raised questions during public comment about how the rules will interact with pressurized (force) mains, septic-system failures and whether the change could allow larger developments to connect without annexing to the city.

The change, presented by city staff as an amendment to the water and sewer connection provisions in the city code, is intended to implement elements of the comprehensive plan and to clarify when property owners may request utility service without full annexation. The measure passed on voice vote after brief clarification from planning and public-works staff.

Why it matters: Council members said they wanted to preserve a practical way for single-family properties to obtain sewer or water service when local conditions — for example, a destroyed well or septic failure — make private systems impractical. At the same time several council members warned that routinely allowing hookups without annexation can create isolated city “islands” that are costly to service.

What staff told council: Public Works engineer Robert Joyner explained the amendment was developed after questions from residents about force mains and pump stations. He said pump stations and force mains serve as relief systems and are not intended to be tied into by adjacent properties; gravity sewers that connect to those pumps are where property owners would tie on. “As projects are developed in this area, some of them will be served by gravity sewer, some by pump stations,” Joyner said. Scott Weidman of the Planning Department added the amendment applies only to existing properties of one or two dwelling units; properties seeking three or more units would need to pursue annexation.

Public comment: Resident Tina Motley Pearson said she supported limiting extensions outside the growth boundary but pressed staff on whether pressurized sewer lines could be used in a way that allows only the intended development to connect. She asked, “How many of these sewer lines are pressurized so that no one except the intended development can hook onto it?” Staff answered that the amendment broadens the reasons that a connection may be allowed (for example, damage from blasting) while preserving limits tied to system type.

Council action and next steps: After staff responses and a brief council exchange, the council moved and approved the amendment unanimously. Staff committed to follow up in writing to detailed technical questions raised by speakers. The council vote did not list individual roll-call votes on the record; the clerk announced the motion “passes unanimously.”

The ordinance will be incorporated into the city code; property owners who meet the amended criteria can pursue a utility extension agreement. Council members said they expect staff to clarify implementation procedures and notification thresholds for future cases.