San Miguel County sets Down Valley master plan for 2026; wastewater and septic acceptance discussed
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Summary
County staff said a Down Valley master plan process will begin in 2026 to address water, wastewater, transportation, land use and housing; the county reported a memorandum of understanding with two towns about a regional wastewater treatment authority that would accept septage from San Miguel County.
San Miguel County planning staff told the Placerville listening session the county expects to initiate a Down Valley master planning process in 2026 to evaluate water, wastewater, transportation, land use and housing needs across the San Miguel Garden Canyon.
Tay Simonson, the county planning director, said the plan will cover the corridor from Deep Creek to near Norwood Hill and will include a housing element, recreation component and infrastructure analysis. Staff said they will prepare a request for proposals to hire a consultant and will seek state grant funds (identified as DOLA in the meeting) to support the project.
County staff and a commissioner reported that the county signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the two towns (Telluride and Mountain Village were referenced) to form a sewer authority and site a regional wastewater treatment plant upriver of the CDOT and county Road & Bridge yard. The speakers said the MOU included language that the towns would accept septage from throughout San Miguel County, addressing resident concerns about the rising cost and availability of septic pumping services.
Staff and the commissioners emphasized that the proposed sewer authority would be formed by the towns and financed through town capital investments, loans or user fees rather than a county mill levy; the county said it would hold a non‑voting advisory seat on the authority and that any mill levy would require voter approval.
Residents questioned immediate need, costs and feasibility. County staff said earlier surveys (noted in 2019) showed mixed public views and that roughly 30% of respondents reported recent septic upgrades; the county said the planning process will include community surveys, focus groups and public meetings to quantify needs and examine options such as dispersed package system solutions versus a single centralized plant.
Staff said the master plan will also inventory preliminary site options for wastewater and water infrastructure and will present alternatives for community consideration. No final decisions were made at the meeting.
