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County debates developer ownership of sewer assets, reviews Country Club EDU calculation
Summary
Athens County staff told commissioners a developer seeks to retain ownership of sewer infrastructure for a proposed 61-unit project; the board signaled policy favors county ownership and asked staff to require metering if ownership remains private. Separately, the Country Club disputed its assigned EDUs; the board requested written usage data and a staff worksheet to compare scenarios.
Water and sewer operations drew multiple discussions at the Nov. 12 Athens County commissioners meeting.
W&S Superintendent Oscar Carson reported a developer has asked to keep ownership of a private sewer line and pump station tied to a proposed 61-unit apartment-style project. County staff said the county's current policy is to own system infrastructure and flagged infiltration and operations-and-maintenance accountability concerns if the county does not take ownership. Commissioners instructed staff to invite the developer to a meeting and to ensure any letter granting 61 taps includes a development deadline and terms governing refunds or tap retention if the project does not proceed. Staff said that if the developer retains ownership, the county should at minimum meter flows outside the private station to ensure enforceability and protect the county from paying for infiltration.
Separately, Bob Toy raised a dispute about the Country Club's assigned equivalent dwelling units (EDUs). County staff said the board had offered 10 EDUs as a compromise—less than a previously cited 25—based on a residential EDU measure of 3,000 gallons per month. Toy proposed lower numbers (initially 3.26 argued previously, later floated 6 EDUs and offered to submit written usage data). The board asked the club to supply monthly and annual usage data and tasked staff to prepare a worksheet showing monthly usage, seasonal peaks, implied EDUs under different methods, and systemwide rate-impact scenarios for 10, 8 and 6 EDUs.
The board did not finalize either the developer ownership exception or the Country Club EDU determination on Nov. 12; both items will return after staff and the developer or club provide the requested data.
