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Wastewater director flags House Bill 1348 implications and ongoing plant repairs
Summary
City wastewater staff reported lift‑station repairs, ordered a replacement pump for Spring Village, and warned that House Bill 1348’s septic‑collar language could require the city to accept additional out‑of‑county loads and prompt a review of sewer rates and out‑of‑county surcharges.
Director (S2) briefed the council on wastewater operations and legislative changes that could affect local rates.
S2 reported the Eastern Shaving Lift Station repair is complete and operational and that a new pump has been ordered for the Spring Village lift station. He described a vibration/cavitation issue at the Ludy Street pump that staff believe may be solved by a deflector plate or a warranty repair.
S2 summarized the recent passage of House Bill 1348 and said an amendment addressing "septic collars" requires facilities that accepted collars since January 2023 to continue accepting them and appears to permit accepting loads from adjoining counties. "I I just got a really bad feeling about it," S2 said of potential out‑of‑county flows and the risk of increased use of Winchester facilities by other counties’ haulers.
S2 urged staff and the council to review sewer rates and consider an out‑of‑county surcharge; the city will compile comparative rates from neighboring counties and may seek state approval before adjusting local rates. No formal rate change was voted on at this meeting.
