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Mayor LaRussa warns Farmington's aging sewer system is costly and seeks county collaboration
Summary
Mayor Joseph LaRussa said parts of Farmington's water and sewer system are more than 75 years old, described roughly $614,000 in emergency sewer repairs over the past year and contrasted emergency repair costs (~$5,430/ft) with planned repair costs (~$148/ft). He said the city is discussing collaborative solutions with Oakland County.
Mayor Joseph LaRussa told the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce that aging water and sewer mains are straining the city's budget and service capacity, and he urged collaborative approaches to avoid repeated emergency repairs.
"Our water and sewer infrastructure is more than 75 years old in places," LaRussa said, noting that city crews responded to multiple sewer failures in the past year that he said totaled about $614,000. He said emergency repairs can cost roughly $5,430 per foot, whereas a planned replacement costs about $148 per foot.
LaRussa framed the problem as a growing fiscal risk: frequent emergency work both raises immediate costs and prevents the city from saving for systematic upgrades. "It's like the car you want to replace, but you can't save up because it's always in the shop," he said.
To address the issue, the mayor said Farmington is in active discussions with Oakland County about collaborative approaches that could serve multiple older communities more cost‑effectively than each municipality bonding separately. LaRussa thanked Treasurer Wittenberg for his role in those discussions and said the city is optimistic about county collaboration, while acknowledging the possibility that Farmington may eventually ask residents for local support if outside solutions prove insufficient.
City officials emphasized the distinction between costly emergency fixes and far less expensive planned work, and LaRussa urged early planning to reduce long‑term costs and service disruption. He also credited public works superintendent Chuck Yudi and his team for maintaining systems beyond their intended design life while the city pursues longer‑term solutions.
Next steps described in the address include continuing county-level talks and evaluating financing options; LaRussa said his administration and city council are taking steps now to prepare for larger renewal efforts rather than waiting for more emergencies.
