Frequently Asked Questions 
(prepared by PWSD#13 board, Apr 2009)

Funding
When will I have to start paying the monthly user fee?
•	As soon as your connection to the system is functional. 
Why is the monthly user fee estimated to be $72?
•	The user fee is set by our lending agency (USDA-RD) to be $72 per month. That is because $72 is 2% of the median household income (MHI) for this area. As a condition for receiving federal and state funds the user fee must be at least 2% of the MHI.  
In 2006 PWSD#13 commissioned the Midwest Assistance Program to conduct the MHI survey. Unfortunately, we just didn’t get enough people responding to the survey with a household income of less than $39,000. Based on the survey our MHI is $43,000.
Median Household Income				2% /month
	$39,000 (qualify for Fed grants)			$65
	$43,000						$72
	$50,000 (actual Jefferson County MHI)		$83
The required loan payment is $44 per month. The rest of the user fee is for operating, maintenance, and replacement costs.
If the construction costs are less than the loan and the grant, will the user fee be reduced?
•	Unfortunately, no. Loan and grant monies are only for construction costs. It may be possible to reduce the user fee after the system operates a while, if a cash reserve is built up. 
If we get stimulus funding can we use it to reduce the user fee?
•	Unfortunately, no. Stimulus funding would be only for construction costs.
Suppose the loans and grants don’t cover the complete cost of construction, then what?
•	We will ask MO DNR for more grant money. In the past we have seen projects that cost more than originally planned ask for and get additional grant money. If we don't get additional grant funds, the District may have to charge an upfront connection fee. 
What happens if I don’t pay the monthly user fee?
•	Your residence will be disconnected from the system. The Jefferson County Health Department will declare your residence uninhabitable.
Suppose we have to pay a hookup fee and I don’t pay it?
•	There possibly will be legal action. Our lender (USDA-RD) requires that the District pass a mandatory hookup ordinance and your house could be condemned if you’re not connected to the sewer system.
What happens if I don't hook up?
•	The District and the LTPOA will initiate formal legal proceedings against any homeowner who refuses to connect to the central sewer system. The only exception to this will be for a house that is more than 300 feet from the main sewer line.
•	The Jefferson County On-Site Sewage Treatment Code also requires hook-up. 
Section 101.4 Public sewer connection reads: When public or private sewers become available to the premises served, the use of the private on-site sewage treatment system shall be discontinued if failure occurs or if main trunk line is within four hundred (400) feet of property line. The building sewer shall be disconnected from the private on-site sewage treatment system and connected to the public sewer. If no failure has occurred, the system must be connected to public sewers within one year when main trunk lines are available. 
I can't afford to pay a sewer bill of $72 a month. I'm going to have to move.
•	 We are sorry to hear that. The board has worked hard to keep the cost as low as possible and we will to continue to do so. We believe that ultimately the Lake will have to install sewers to keep the water quality from deteriorating. And since all prices increase with time, if we don't do it now, it will be more expensive in the future. And in the future we are unlikely to get $2 million in grant funds from MO DNR. 
•	Since we will one day have to install sewers anyway, we should do it now, pay less and enjoy the improved water quality.
•	And if you do sell your property you will benefit from the incoming sewer system due to increased property values.
 Why should I have to pay $72 per month in winter? I'm not even here. I'm in Florida and my water is shut off.
•	 To receive the federal and state money we must have 100% participation. Since the cost of the system is shared by all users, if fewer than 100% participate the per-user cost must increase.

Who Must Hook Up?
My septic system is less than five yrs old. Why should I have to hook up?
•	Even with a working septic, phosphorous and nitrogen are added to the lake, and that promotes algae growth. Anything that goes down the drain ends up in the lake or our drinking water.
•	The federal and state money we’re receiving is dependent on 100% participation. Since the cost of the system is shared by all users, if fewer than 100% participate the per-user cost must increase.
•	District rules and Lake Tishomingo restrictions specify that if there is a central sewer system then all plumbing including gray water lines must be connected to that system.
•	Just because it’s new, doesn’t mean it’s working properly. We know of several new systems that have had serious problems and have not been working properly. And remember that all septic systems will fail at some time.
I just paid $14,000 for a new septic system why should I have to hookup to this new system?
•	You may have a new system that can be retrofitted into the central sewer system. Considering the entire community, you are probably one of only a few to install a new septic system. The majority of septic systems here are not new and are probably in service well beyond their useful life span.
Why didn’t we have a vote on sewers?
•	We did, we had two elections:
o	Apr 2006: Formation of the district whose purpose is to bring central sewers to this community - approved by 60% of the voters.
o	Nov 2006: Authority to issue up to $8 million revenue bonds to serve as collateral for the $2.2 million federal loan - approved by 60% of the voters. 
Both elections were legal and certified by the Jefferson County Election Authority.  All voters registered in Jefferson County were eligible to vote. 
 To survey all of the home owners in the District and disregard the Nov 2006 election would not be fair to those that voted in good faith in the election. [In the Nov. 2006 election 230 votes were cast; 60% voted ‘for’ the bond issue.]
•	When you own real estate you are subject to the rules set by the registered voters in that locality. Your local property taxes and sales taxes are determined by elections. This is the same situation; the local residents make the decisions.
What about Tishomingo Forest? Will those houses be connected to the central sewer system? Will they pay extra because they are farther away?
•	Right now we assume that all the houses in the Forest will be connected. Until we receive the bids we won’t know how much it will cost.
How about the property owners that just own lots? They will benefit also -- the lake will be cleaner and their property will increase in value, shouldn't they contribute something to the system as well?
•	PWSD#13 has no control over this, since lot owners will not receive sewer service.
What about Lake Bono-Del, which flows into our lake? Even after the sewer system is installed, we will still have to deal with their pollution. Can you force them to be included in the central sewer system?
•	Bono-Del is scheduled to be included in phase 2 of the project. At this time our engineers have estimated that it is too expensive to include Bono-Del in the project.

Septic Tanks and Lateral Lines
I have a large expanse of concrete. How will you deal with it?
•	The contractor will try to avoid damage to concrete but will be required to repair any damage. There may also be alternate routes to service your residence without disturbing the concrete. 
If I don’t like the route planned for the lateral lines or the proposed location of the new tank, do I have any options?
•	If you see a need to change the collection system plan for your residence, send a written request describing the changes with diagrams to the District. We will try to accommodate you. If the cost is increased, you may have to pay for the increase.
Can I get underground boring done rather than trenching to install the lateral line?
•	We will bore where it will be advantageous to the District, i.e., concrete driveways, extensive landscaping, etc..  We will not bore the whole line.  The homeowners may be able to work with the contractor for more extensive boring but it will be at their own cost.  
How long will it take to switch a house over to the new system?  How long am I going to be inconvenienced?
•	We expect construction to take between 12 and 18 months. Your house should be connected within one day. The only exception will be if we were removing your old septic tank and putting the new one in the same place -- that will probably take a little longer.
 Do gray water lines have to be connected to the central sewer? 
•	Yes. Lake Tishomingo restrictions specify that if there is a central sewer system then all plumbing must be connected to that system. Phosphates and nitrogen pollutants will continue to go into lake if grey water lines are not connected.
In what order will houses be connected up to the system? 
•	Those closest to the dam will be connected first. 
Who is responsible for decommissioning the old septic tanks? How will it be done?
•	The old tank will be pumped out and filled with sand – this expense will be the district’s responsibility.
101.5 Abandoned systems. All abandoned private sewage treatment systems shall be plugged or capped in an approved manner. All abandoned treatment tanks and seepage pits shall have the contents pumped and discarded in an approved manner. The top or entire tank shall be removed and the remaining portion of the tank or excavation shall be immediately filled with sand. – Jefferson County On-site Sewage Treatment Code of 2003.
Can my existing tank and pump be reused?
•	The septic tank may be reusable. It depends upon the ability to retrofit the new pump and the condition of the existing tank. We will have to decide this on a case-by-case basis. 
•	The pump cannot be reused. The hydraulic characteristics of aerator pumps are different from what’s needed for STEP system effluent pumps. Aerator pumps are low-flow, low-volume; effluent pumps are high-flow, high-volume. 

Electrical Easement
Can I install my own electrical circuit for powering the effluent pump?
•	Yes. The District will require that the circuit be inspected.
Will the district provide names of electricians that are qualified to install the electrical circuits?
•	Yes
What happens if I don’t sign the electrical easement?
•	The District will have to install the new electrical circuit off the electric meter base and place the control box on posts in your yard. If the grant money is not enough to cover this cost, you will be charged for the circuit installation. 
When will we know what the electrical specifications are?
•	After the bids are in and the contractor is selected.
If I don't need a new meter base, will AUE install one anyway?  Will they charge for it?
•	The District electricians will install the new meter base -- and only if you need it. The District will initially pay for the new meter base. The homeowner will be charged if the District runs out of funds. If we get stimulus funds for this or the project comes in under budget, the homeowner will not be charged.
What is the deadline for signing the electrical easement?
•	We are asking that easement agreements be returned by Apr 30, 2009. If you don’t sign it and you don’t have the circuit installed by the time the District is ready to connect at your residence, the District will take power off of your electric meter base and install the pump control box on posts in your yard.
Do I have to sign the electrical easement?
•	No, but if you don’t sign it, the District will have to install the new electrical circuit and place the control box on posts in your yard. If the grant money is not enough to cover this cost, you will be charged for the circuit installation. 
What if the property is in a trust?
•	If the property is held in a trust and the trust name is the same as the preprinted property owners’ name on the easement agreement then you can just write in the word trust. Sign the agreement as the trustees.
What if the property is owned by two or more individuals?
•	If the property is listed in two or more names then both property owners should be listed in the agreement and also have to sign the agreement.
•	If it is impossible to have both your signatures notarized at the same time you can print out a blank second sheet for one of the property owners and have the signatures notarized separately. Attach each signature sheet to the original easement agreement.
What if I own multiple properties?
•	Make sure that the Lake Tishomingo lot your house sits on is listed on the easement agreement. The other lots you own can also be listed but what is important is that the lot the house is on is listed.
What if my lots have been consolidated?
If your lots have been consolidated and given a different name, like F29A instead of F29/F30/F31, it does not matter. Just make sure that the easement agreement lists the block letter and number that your house is located on as given in the original Lake Tishomingo plat map.

Treatment Plant
My house is near where treatment plant will be built. Will there be any smell? How loud will it be?
•	The type of plant that we will be installing is a proven technology and there are many in operation. We know from experience that it will not smell bad. Maintenance is the key issue. If it is maintained properly there will be no problem with it. A local community that has this type of system is Holiday Hills near Bismarck, Missouri. The pumps will be underwater and they’re only 1/2-hp pumps, so there should be very little noise coming from the plant.

Water Quality
Has the lake water quality been tested?
•	Yes. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 Jefferson County Health Dept found several areas in the lake with E. coli numbers at or above 200 colonies/100 ml. There was no testing in 2007. In 2008 we had a private testing laboratory analyze for fecal coliform. Two coves had results that were high at 18 and 90 colonies/100 ml. The state water quality standard for E. coli is 126 colonies/100 ml.
Why not wait until the water quality consistently tests bad before installing a central sewer system?
•	It’s taken us six years to get where we are today. Dealing with the government and government grants is a very slow process. If the Missouri DNR mandates the installation of a central sewer system because of deteriorating water quality, they could do so without providing any grant money. Then the entire cost would be borne by the property owners. And the lake could be closed down until the water quality is safe.
Has any Lake ever been closed down because of leaking septic systems?
•	Yes, at the Lake of the Ozarks last summer. One of the areas was closed due to high E. coli populations. 
•	Lake Tekawitha in northwest Jefferson County recently had a problem and the entire lake was closed down by the homeowners association. The lake was drained and the homeowners were required to have their septic tanks pumped every month at $165 a month.
Has the government ever forced anyone to put in a central sewer system?
•	Yes. Right now a community in Fenton is being forced to install a central sewer system and they are not receiving the kind of funding that we are. Homeowners have to pay $12,500 up front to be connected. They also must pay for the installation of the lateral lines. They are being forced to do it.

Minimum Buildable Lot Size
How will having a central sewer system affect the zoning at Lake Tishomingo? Will we still require 40,000 sq. ft. to build a house?
•	The LTPOA set the minimum buildable lot size at 40,000 sq. ft. The current LTPOA board has no intention of changing that. The Lake Tishomingo building regulations are more restrictive than Jefferson County zoning and the current LTPOA board plans to enforce the 40,000 sq. ft. minimum. PWSD#13 attorney Bob Sweeney: Your subdivision property owners association has the legal right to set the building regulation requiring a minimum buildable lot size of 40,000 sq ft.
Actual questions and answers from the Apr 4, 2009 Sewer Update Meeting