Board approves septic-elimination study, tables sump-pump disconnection program for more local tailoring

The Hoover Sanitary Stormwater District approved a task order to evaluate the cost and mechanics of a septic-system elimination program and discussed, but did not approve, a proposed voluntary sump-pump disconnection program.

Staff presented task order No. 12 to produce a study and recommendation on septic elimination; the board approved the task order with the maximum amount shown in the packet (referenced in the meeting as $91,391). A board member asked how the program would set a baseline for reimbursement and whether homeowner costs and engineering needs would be included; staff said the task order is intended to establish a defensible baseline and application process.

The board then heard a lengthy presentation on a proposed sump-pump connection program (task order No. 13) from district staff and a consultant who described possible detection methods (smoke testing, camera inspections, house-by-house checks) and policy options including voluntary disconnects, public education and potential financial incentives. "The scope of services would include kind of setting up a policy ... that the city could implement," the consultant said.

Board members raised concerns about detection accuracy, homeowner outreach, and whether incentives or enforcement tools would be needed. After discussion, the board voted to table the sump-pump task order to allow staff and the consultant to tailor the scope more precisely to local needs and to return with a draft more closely aligned to the district's operating realities.

Next steps: staff will move forward on the septic elimination study and work with the consultant to produce a revised draft of the sump-pump program for board review.