Input sought on sewer for Sneads Ferry area

SNEADS FERRY - The Onslow Water and Sewer Authority wants to know if Sneads Ferry is ready for a sanitary sewer system.

McKim & Creed and ONWASA provided a preliminary presentation on the feasibility of constructing a centralized sewer service for the Stump Sound area, which includes North Topsail Beach, Holly Ridge and Sneads Ferry. They asked for input during an informational meeting Thursday from Sneads Ferry residents - their concerns and their interest in the project.

Kevin Eberle, with McKim & Creed, displayed maps and drawings of various types of systems available. He outlined three different types of centralized systems ONSWASA is considering using: A gravity sewer system with an estimated cost of $46 million, a low pressure sewer system with an estimated cost of $35 million and a vacuum sewer system with an estimated cost of $23 million.

"The problem with centralized systems is you have a very large volume of effluent, and with the brackish water here, we cannot discharge the treated water into these estuaries," he said. "So we have to look at re-use in the highest possible way."

He explained that the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources classified the estuaries and tidal creeks in the Sneads Ferry area as outstanding resource waters and has deemed the White Oak River Basin impaired for shellfish harvesting because fecal coliform and nutrients are well above safe levels. Given this, he said he believes grants may be available to help offset some of the costs and the project could be considered a priority when it comes to permitting.

Very rough estimates put the total cost of a system at between $60 million and $70 million for the 4,300 households in Sneads Ferry - or an estimated $14,000 to $15,000 per equivalent residential unit.

"Most projects such as this look at phased construction in order of priority to reduce the initial outlay of capital," Eberle said. "(Phased construction) can also help you qualify for more grant money potentially."

He anticipates between 10 to 15 percent of the funding could come from grants.

Additional funding sources discussed were low interest state revolving loans, U.S. Department of Agricultural Rural Development grant-loan combinations, conventional bond sales and impact fees charged to individuals.

"In reality, it will likely be a combination of all of these," he said.

ONWASA Director of Operations Frank Sanders said this first meeting provided a very preliminary report with no hard numbers.

"Over the next month or two, we are going to look at the alternatives in more detail, refine cost estimates and evaluate funding alternatives," he told the audience. "You will have a good bit to do with decisions - you'll have input and we're open to your input ... We will be doing follow-up public meetings."

He asked for a smaller group of representatives from the community to volunteer to work with them and attend meetings to provide local input. Sneads Ferry resident Roland Reed is in favor of the project and signed up as a volunteer.

"I thought I'd come here and listen," Reed said. "I signed up because I want to see it work with the least expense; that's my concern."

Mark Troche, also of Sneads Ferry, wants to see a referendum on the project. However, those in attendance at Thursday's meeting were told there would be no opportunity for a vote on the issue.

"It needs to come to a public vote, then we can't blame anybody," Troche said.

Eberle's PowerPoint presentation can be viewed on ONWASA's Web site at www.onwasa.com. Those who want to volunteer should contact Sanders at 910-455-0722, ext. 242, or e-mail him at fsanders@onwasa.com.

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at 910-219-8454. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.