Sisters again reviews sewer system scenarios By Jim Cornelius

Sisters area residents got a good look at what a city sewer system would look like and what it would cost at a series of public meetings last week.

The meetings, held April 2,3 and 5, were part of the final phase of a sewer study that will take Sisters through planning a system and getting approval from county and state agencies. The final deci

sion whether to build a sewer could be made by the city council or, more likely, by a vote of the city residents.

Dick Nored, president of HGE, Inc., the engineering firm in charge of the study, conducted the meetings, with input from county sanitarian John Mason.

"We're really trying to work this so that everyone is comfortable with it," Nored said.

The system would gather waste throughout the city and pump it into a treatment plant on Forest Service land south of the city.

The project is estimated to cost about $10-$12 million, with about half the money coming from grant

s. The rest of the money would be financed.

According to Nored, individual property owners would pay about $30-$35 per month for the sewer and a one-time connection fee of $750. They would also have to pay from $750 to $1,500 to deactivate their current septic systems and run lines from their houses or commercial buildings to the sewer line.

Nored told The Nugget there are a variety of grants available to help fixed- or low-income residents pay those costs.

County sanitarian John Mason told Thursday's audience that Sisters' current use of septic systems and drainfields is really rural technology misplaced in an urban environment.

He said that he sees numerous system failures -- at a rate of about one a month -- and limited drainfield areas often require expensive new systems such as sand filters.

Although studies have found no groundwater contamination in the Sisters area, Mason noted that with many antiquated systems contaminants will leach into the soil and they end up somewhere. He also noted that overloaded septic systems can percolate to the surface causing unpleasant odors and health risks.

About 20 area residents showed up at each meeting. There was little outright opposition to the proposed system. Many expressed approval. According to Nored, at Saturday's meeting, several senior residents testified that their septic systems do not function well.

A substantial number indicated that they would like more information.

Some of those who describe themselves as undecided indicated to The Nugget that there are issues besides cost and sanitation that need to be addressed.

Some said they believe the key issue is what amount and type of growth a sewer would allow for Sisters. They wonder if building a sewer system would encourage high-density residential development and bring in industries that are not appropriate for Sisters.

Nored acknowledged those concerns to The Nugget, but noted that they are political in nature, not engineering questions.

The plan-in-progress will be open for public comment at public hearings every month or two, Nored said. City Administrator Barbara Warren said a questionnaire would be sent to residents to seek their input.