Council Loosens Terms of Moratorium; Raises Limit on New Wastewater Connections

As discussed in our recent press release, the City has negotiated a consent decree that will settle all past claims that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have against the City regarding exceedances of Sandy’s permit to discharge treated wastewater to Tickle Creek.  

In addition to securing a substantial reduction of Sandy’s civil penalty liability, the City was able to negotiate a new allowance of 300 equivalent residential units (ERUs, a measure of sewer flow equal to that typically generated by a single family detached dwelling) of new connections and additional flows through existing connections, rather than the 120 ERUs allowed under the previous moratorium. 

This higher ERU allowance reflects the anticipated capacity improvements resulting from the repairs and upgrades the City has performed on the wastewater treatment system in recent years.  In alignment with the new allowance provided in the consent decree, the City Council approved a revised moratorium at its June 20th meeting, formally raising the City’s limit on new wastewater connections/flows from 120 ERUs to 300 ERUs, as well as making other administrative changes and clarifications.  This change loosens the terms of the moratorium and allows additional new construction to move forward in the city.

The City Council resolution making this revision is attached below.