How to Proceed

Retain an Engineering Firm
Hire a qualified engineering firm to develop viable alternatives, provide cost estimates, and evaluate options for your city.

Maintain Leadership
Don’t hand the project entirely to the engineer. Appoint a project champion—a person or committee responsible for coordinating efforts, dedicating time to the project, and promoting it within the community.

Engage the Community
Gain buy-in from local groups, businesses, and residents. Develop a clear and consistent message explaining the purpose and benefits of the sewer system.

Leverage Available Resources
Seek guidance and technical assistance from state agencies. Talk to other cities that have gone through similar projects to learn from their experiences and avoid common mistakes.

Keep Realistic Expectations
Be open to multiple solutions and avoid tunnel vision. Evaluate all options thoroughly before committing to a particular approach.

Organize and Document
Create a written list of action steps and concrete plans. Follow your plan while remaining flexible to adapt to new information or changing circumstances. Maintain detailed records of all contacts, decisions, and costs throughout the project.

How Much Will It Cost?

Sewer projects often cost more than initially expected. New system sewer bills are typically higher than those of established systems. The single largest cost is usually infrastructure installation, followed by system management and operations.

Cities have multiple options for providing sewer service, including:

• Building collection lines and a treatment plant that discharges into a local stream.
• Building collection lines with a non-discharging system, such as a drip field or spray irrigation (originally used for small systems but increasingly applied to larger systems).
• Building collection lines and a trunk line to a neighboring city, discharging into that city’s treatment system.
• Allowing a neighboring city to build and operate collection mains within your city limits. Your city would have no ownership interest, but could benefit from growth and development.
• Allowing a private company to build and operate a sewer system within your city.

Be aware that grant-funded projects have additional requirements: assets constructed with grants must be depreciated, and sewer rates must cover depreciation costs.

When?

Set clear goals and deadlines for project milestones. Close coordination with engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders is essential. Avoid making crisis decisions by allowing sufficient time for planning, research, and financial analysis.

If pursuing grants, stay informed about application deadlines. Make sure you fully understand the financial implications of each decision.

Where?

Phasing the sewer system may be appropriate, especially in areas where homes are widely dispersed. Begin in areas of greatest need, and plan for gradual expansion as funding and demand allow. Always keep the purpose of the sewer system in mind when prioritizing areas.

Who?

Appoint a project spokesperson or committee committed to the time and effort needed to ensure success. Consider the skills required, including strong communication, organization, and leadership capabilities.

See Steps to a Successful Utility Construction Project for more information on this topic.