§ 14-57. Extensions.

(a)

The extension of sewer service by the county to properties within the county not currently receiving such service shall be accomplished in accordance with the following general principles:

(1)

Extension shall be made in a manner so as to promote orderly growth, protect health and environment, serve requested extensions and promote the general public interest.

(2)

Property owners shall bear their fair share for the cost of installing sewer extensions to and within their neighborhoods or other development type.

(3)

The county shall be responsible for the maintenance, operation and control of sewer facilities after dedication and acceptance by the county.

(4)

Unless specifically authorized by the board, extensions shall be considered only for properties located within the county's development service districts (DSD).

(b)

Any property owner desiring to have sewer service extended to their residence shall apply in writing to the director of utility services. In the case of a defined neighborhood request, a minimum of sixty-seven percent of the homeowners in the requesting neighborhood service area are required to sign the request before it will be considered. The request(s) must be made by the legal title holder(s) for the property.

(c)

Extensions of sewer service to developed commercial or developed industrial property may be requested by a letter from the president, board chairman or principal of the corporation desiring service. The request shall be evaluated on the basis of the general principles in [subsection] 14-57(a).

(d)

Upon receipt of a valid application for sewer extension the county will evaluate application based on the following or similar criteria:

History of current sewer service failures;

Size of the requesting area/neighborhood or service area;

Risks to public health and the environment;

Availability of reasonable alternatives;

Cost to provide sewer service and the availability of funds.

(e)

Approval for the proposed construction of a sewer extension project must be obtained from the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors following a recommendation for the project by the director of utility services. If the proposed project is authorized the DGS shall develop appropriate service area and budget level estimates of cost.

(f)

Mandatory connection. Upon approval of a sewer extension project, property owners will be required to sign documentation indicating a firm commitment to connect to sewer service when it becomes available and commitment to extension charges required for the project.

(g)

The county may extend sewer service at its own discretion in the following circumstances:

(1)

To alleviate health and/or environmental concerns: When the Isle of Wight County Health Department certifies that a health problem exists in a certain area, the county may order the extension of sewer service to said area. The county may require assessments of property owners of said project service area under the same procedure set out in [subsection] 14-57(i).

(2)

Greater public interest: The county board of supervisors may at its discretion or upon recommendation of the director of utility services, authorize the construction of sewer extensions where it deems said construction to be in the greater public interest and in the general public welfare.

(h)

Residential property owners in which sewer service is extended will be required to pay their fair share of the cost of extending this service, including design, permitting and construction-related costs. The county, at its discretion, may share in the cost of providing such service, specifically if said extension is anticipated to service future development in the service area.

(i)

The extension charge to property owners shall be based on the total project costs, less any county share, allocated to property owners based on property water meter size in accordance with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard meter equivalents.

Meter	Equivalent
⅝-inch	1.0
¾-inch	1.5
1-inch	2.5
1½-inch	5.0
2-inch	8.0
3-inch	16.0
4-inch	25.0

 

(j)

Payments or county suitable payment arrangements of extension charges are due and payable before initiation of the sewer extension project.

(k)

The county may, at its discretion, finance extension charges for a period not to exceed ten years. Interest charges associated with, the financing shall correspond with the county debt used to complete the extension project. For property choosing to finance extension charges, a lien shall be placed upon the property until such time the extension charges are paid in full.

(l)

Upon transfer of title of any property with an outstanding balance associated with financed sewer extension charges, these charges shall be paid in full.

(m)

Extension charges represent a cost separate from county connection and tap fees. Connection and tap fees or county suitable payment arrangements are due and payable from the connection property owner at the time of connection. (5-21-09; Ord. No. 2013-11-C, 6-20-13; 9-19-19.)