Auburn , CA – Placer County is faced with costly North Auburn wastewater system improvements to comply with more stringent requirements adopted by state and federal regulators.
The County wants to hear from residents and businesses served by the treatment plant in North Auburn before deciding how to meet the new wastewater treatment standards, and have planned an informational workshop November 17, a sewer decision website, and other educational and input opportunities.
Following are the two wastewater treatment options under consideration. Both options will impact fees, and both have advantages and disadvantages.
- Reconstruction of the existing Joeger Road wastewater treatment plant in North Auburn to meet the new standards, or
- Build a regional pipeline to convey North Auburn’s wastewater to the City of Lincoln’s modern wastewater treatment plant.
The Board of Supervisors has made no decision on which option it prefers, nor is County staff recommending one option over the other at this point.
If the County does not implement one of these options, it will fail to comply with state regulations and could face state fines greater than the improvement costs, further driving up costs for ratepayers.
Option one (plant reconstruction) initially would increase sewer fees for residential customers to approximately $118 per month. It is expected to have smaller up-front costs, but could result in larger rate increases in 10 to 20 years.
Initial fees for option two (regional pipeline) are estimated at $150 per month for residential customers. This option would cost more initially, but could be less expensive in the long run. If the County chooses this option, the Joeger Road plant will be decommissioned.
The County is offering the following opportunities for the public to learn more about the sewer decision and provide feedback.
· Attend a public workshop to be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 17 in the Community Development Resource Agency building. The building is located at 3091 County Center Drive in the Placer County Government Center, also known as the DeWitt Center. County Center Drive is off of Bell Road between First Avenue and Richardson Drive in Auburn.
· Participate in a telephone survey. The County will conduct a random telephone survey in late November. Everyone that receives a call is encouraged to participate and complete the telephone survey.
· Take an online survey available at www.placer.ca.gov/SewerDecision.
· Request a comment form by calling 530-889-6846 or download one at www.placer.ca.gov/SewerDecision .
County staff will present a summary of the survey results and public comments at a Board of Supervisors meeting in early 2009.
Fee increases associated with the selected system upgrade solution would likely be phased in beginning next spring. Customers will be informed prior to the implementation of any fee increase. Sewer fees are assessed annually and included in property tax bills.