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January 6, 2006

You pull the lever and... flush

The cost of missing deadlines looks like it could go up significantly for High Point in its sewer replacement program.

The state Environmental Management Commission still has to decide if it's going to approve the agreement, and the higher penalities.

So why is this on the North High Point blog? Well, the limits on new connections at Westside Wasteweater Treatment Plant affect the prime residential growth area in Ward 5: Northeast Davidson County. Limits on the Eastside plan, which handles about two-thirds of the city's sewage, could also have an affect on growth in North High Point, if the city doesn't meet it's deadlines.

So do you care about sewers? It's a tough story to relate to the average Joe. Most of us don't like to think about what happens after you pull that little lever. But sewer systems are one of a couple things, along with water and market demand, that have the most influence on an area's ability to grow, attract business, etc.

Posted by Jonathan Jones at January 6, 2006 11:25 AM

Comments

So, it's finally hitting the fan! That is, the City Council that's never met a new subdivision it didn't love and approve, may finally have to face up to the fact that new neighborhoods filled with hundreds of new homes may not be appropriate for areas with inadequate sewers and, more importantly, outrageously overcrowded schools.

To me, the council's development-no-matter-what strategy has always been c r a p. Surprising it's taken so long for it to catch up with them.

Posted by: Emory Wood at January 6, 2006 4:56 PM

EW,

What was interesting in the report those state officials issued, and I should've mentioned it here, was consideration of High Point's need to grow outward to offset the struggling furniture industry.

"It should be noted that the City has expended substantial resources to repair the sewer infrastructure while suffering from reduced revenues from the declining furtinure industry, which has historically been vital to the City's economy. Some economic growth is necessary to allow the City to meet its commitments to continue the upgrading."

I wondered, while reading it, if the Division of Water Quality folks would have given High Point a growth moratorium if it wasn't facing that particular economic problem.

Posted by: Jonathan Jones at January 6, 2006 5:03 PM