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Rising Sun staff warn of sewer capacity limits, inflow-and-infiltration and state pressure on solar regulation
Summary
Town staff reported sewer interceptor capacity checks, elevated inflow-and-infiltration rates, developer impacts on infrastructure, and concerns about state legislation that could limit local control over solar fields; officials said they will pursue ordinances and developer contributions to protect town interests.
Town staff told the Board of Commissioners April 8, 2025 that Rising Sun is evaluating sewer interceptor capacity, working to reduce inflow-and-infiltration (I&I), and preparing expectations and fees for prospective developments that will connect to the town system.
Town Administrator Calvin A. Bonneville Jr. said engineering tests have examined both the east and west interceptor lines and identified higher-than-desired flows at the treatment plant. Staff reported average daily flows in 2024 of about 242,000 gallons with average billed/saleable water of roughly 42,000–47,000 gallons per day; officials said the difference indicates the town is treating significant I&I, which increases operating costs for electricity, chemicals and treatment.
Calvin A. Bonneville Jr. and Commissioner Braun (reporting on engineering results) described I&I sources such as groundwater entering aging sewer lines, surface flooding into manholes, and illegal sump pumps tied to the sanitary system. Officials said the industry standard tolerates some I&I and that Rising Sun is not at an extreme level, but they want to reduce I&I to limit long-term cost pressures. The town said it will target problem areas, enforce illegal sump pump prohibitions, and may direct developers to pay for upgrades to interceptors when new development increases demand.
Staff also reported increasing interest from property owners seeking sewer connections because some on-site septic systems are failing and could require costly repairs; the town noted that extending sewer and water service to outlying properties can be expensive and may require grant support or shared cost arrangements among multiple properties.
Separately, Calvin A. Bonneville Jr. reported concerns about recent state legislative trends that reduce local regulatory authority over certain land uses. He said the town is tracking proposed state rules that could limit municipal oversight of solar farms and similar developments. The administrator said the town is exploring local ordinance language to retain as much local oversight as state law allows and to address aesthetic and environmental concerns for potential future annexations and developments.
The board did not take final policy action at the meeting but directed staff to continue engineering studies, refine adequate public facilities assessments for developers, and prepare potential ordinance language regarding solar regulation for future consideration.
