Wildwood Considering Sewer Lateral Repair Program for Residents

Here's an update written by officials from the city of Wildwood. The city council there is considering a program that would bill residents a $50 annual fee to fund a repair program for residents who need repairs to the connection between their home and the city's sewer system.

Would you approve of such a program? Comment in the comments section below.

Here is the text of the city's update:

The City Council is considering establishing a Sanitary Sewer Lateral Repair Program in Wildwood, similar to programs operated by many other municipalities throughout St. Louis County. These programs assist homeowners financially if the sanitary sewer lateral connections to their homes fail.

Under the program, if there is a problem with the sewer lateral to a home, it’s first determined whether or not the problem can be solved by ordinary cabling of the line. If cabling the line doesn't solve the problem, a decision would be made on whether the sewer lateral has suffered a major failure that requires repair or replacement.

If that is the case, arrangements would be made to have the sewer lateral repaired. The cost for the repair would come from the Sewer Lateral Repair Program funds.

The program would be funded from a new, annual assessment of up to $50 per year, per homeowner, which would be charged as part of the homeowner’s annual property tax bill.

In essence, the program functions like an insurance plan for sewer lateral repairs, with the annual assessments as the annual insurance premium. In the event of a sewer lateral failure, homeowners have the ability to file a claim for qualifying repairs.

Considerations officials are deliberating on include, how the program would be operated, what limitations and requirements should be established, and whether the program would only be available to homeowners connected to the MSD sewer system, or if it would include homeowners on septic systems. Voter approval is required to establish a sewer lateral repair program.

The City Council hopes to have completed their study of the program by mid-December 2013, and at that time the Council will reach a decision on whether or not to present this matter to voters at the April 2014 municipal election. If approved, the program would go into effect at the beginning of 2015.

Over the next several months, as the Council studies this matter, they encourage residents to share their views with City Officials on whether or not the City should offer such a program. Homeowners can share their thoughts by contacting mtrent@cityofwildwood.com, and are urged to watch for future additional information this fall about the program.

Would you vote for such a measure in Wildwood? Comment below.