The Marshall County Commissioners hope to make a decision soon on moving forward with a preliminary engineering study concerning the county’s issues surrounding failing septic systems.
Ken Jones from Jones, Petrie and Rafinski previously appeared before the Marshall County Council and Marshall County Commissioners and offered to conduct an engineering study to create solutions to alleviate issues surrounding failing septic systems and contaminated water. The biggest problem that residents face is that if a septic system fails then there isn’t enough space on the resident’s property to install another system. The septic system has to be installed at least 50 feet from a water well to ensure no contamination.
The cost of the study is between $35,000 and $45,000.
The results of the study could determine whether or not county officials would move forward with a Regional Sewer District in areas highly affected by water quality and septic issues.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer said Monday morning that he spoke with Marshall County Health Board President Dr. Byron Holm and Health Department Administrator Christine Stinson in an effort to gather more information before making a decision. He added that it would be a great complimentary project for the county’s proposed project in the Regional Stellar Communities Designation Program application. The failing septic systems and contamination of water are quality of life issues that need to be addressed.
Commissioner Mike Delp is the head of the Water Task Force group and encourages his fellow commissioners to support the study. Commissioner Stan Klotz is also gathering more information before a decision is made.
Lake LaTonka resident, Gus Kruse, believes it would be a positive move for the county.
“I don’t know that I’m in favor, necessarily, of wanting to pay the fees for sewers down the road, but I think it is something that if it warrants I would certainly would be for it,” said Kruse. “Doing your study would certainly be good for everybody in the county because everybody, I think, wants clean waters for our kids and grandkids down the road and I think that would be a good thing to do.”
A decision could come at the commissioners’ next meeting on May 20. They would then go before the Marshall County Council members to gauge support and discuss funding the engineering study.
