Question 1:
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My neighborhood uses septic systems but I think it's time
for us to get sewer service. How can we do this?
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Answer:
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The City has established the Neighborhood Sewer Extension Program to help
you get sewer service. Under this program, the City installs public sewers to each lot within a
project area that is designated as a Reimbursement District. At the time the property owner connects
to the sewer, the owner would reimburse the City for a fair share of the cost of constructing the
public sewer. Each owner would also be required to pay a sewer connection fee and would be responsible
for disconnecting the existing septic system according to County rules and any other plumbing
modifications necessary to connect to the public line. There would be no requirement to connect to
the line or pay any fee until connection is made.
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Question 2:
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How much will I have to pay to the City?
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Answer:
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The amount the owners pay to the City for a fair share of the cost of the
public sewer is based on the cost of constructing the sewer and it varies widely. Frequently,
the cost varies from about $6,000 to $12,000. The connection fee of $3,635 (effective July 1, 2009)
and a plumbing permit fee must also be paid at the time of connection.
Installment payments are not available. The amount an owner must reimburse the City to connect
to the sewer is increased annually by a constant amount (simple interest) for fifteen years from
formation of the Reimbursement District. After fifteen years, owners are no longer required to
reimburse the City to connect to the sewer. The requirement to pay the connection fee will
remain.
To promote the program, City Council established the Neighborhood Sewer Reimbursement District
Incentive Program. This program limits the amount any owner is required to pay for a share of
the public sewer to $6,000, if that share amount falls between $6,000 and $15,000, for those
connections completed within three years from when sewer first becomes available. In addition
to paying for the first $6,000, owners remain responsible for paying all actual costs that
exceed $15,000 in those cases where the share of the actual costs exceed that $15,000 limit.
In effect, this incentive is a City subsidy to the program that contributes up to $9,000
maximum for each owner within the district.
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Question 3:
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What other costs are there?
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Answer:
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The City would extend a service line from the main line in the street
to just inside your property. You are responsible for connecting the service line to your
plumbing and completing any other required work on your property including abandoning your
septic system.
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Question 4:
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My septic system is working fine now. Can't I keep it going by
regularly pumping the tank or repairing it if something goes wrong?
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Answer:
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When a septic system fails, it's usually the drainfield that the tank drains
to that is the problem. About the only way to repair a failed drainfield is to replace it elsewhere
on the lot. However, lots are seldom of sufficient size to accommodate a replacement drainfield.
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Question 5:
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How do I get a reimbursement district for my neighborhood started?
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Answer:
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The City has a schedule of projects that are intended to completely serve
the City. You may call the City to find when your neighborhood is scheduled or if you
would like to request that your neighborhood be scheduled earlier.
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Question 6:
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How can I get more information?
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Answer:
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If you are interested in the Program, please call:
Greg Berry
503-718-2468
Email: greg@tigard-or.gov
We will determine the public sewer extension project required to serve your neighborhood
and provide you with a rough estimate of the cost of the project.
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