Fairhope Restates Gravity Sewer Standard After Concerns Over Low-Pressure Systems in Subdivisions

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — City of Fairhope officials have restated the city’s gravity sewer standard, which requires gravity-fed systems in new developments, after a resident told the City Council that low-pressure systems were being installed in new subdivisions despite the standard.

The concern was raised during public comments at a Nov. 27 City Council meeting.

A standard since 2002

In December 2002, Fairhope Utilities and the city Planning Commission set gravity-fed sewer as the standard method of wastewater collection for new developments. According to the city, gravity sewer is its preferred method and the least troublesome for customers over the long term. The city’s director of operations maintains that it remains the best approach, and the mayor’s office said it supports that position.

City officials said gravity systems require maintenance and public awareness of best practices, including proper disposal of grease, baby wipes and other products, protection of sewer clean-outs in yards, and keeping storm water drainage from being connected to the sewer.

Costs of low-pressure systems

Low-pressure systems may cost less up front but require a grinder pump at each customer’s site. According to the city, the pumps last about five years, and homeowners pay the replacement cost each time. The ongoing cost of pumping is included in the homeowner’s power bill. City officials said that, considering overall costs, a gravity system is not more expensive than a low-pressure system for most subdivisions.

The city said it believes developers install low-pressure systems mainly because homeowners, not developers, pay most of the total system cost. A low-pressure system does not meet the city standard unless Fairhope Utilities determines there are significant hardships from a maintenance or cost standpoint.

Long-range planning

The city also said it wants to establish an Engineering Department to improve mapping and long-term planning for water and sewer utilities. Officials said long-range planning would rely on a future land use map in a new Comprehensive Plan, allowing the utilities to plan service based on the expected type and density of development.

Ethics complaint assigned case number

In a separate matter, the Alabama Ethics Commission has assigned case number 2018-42 to an ethics complaint filed against Fairhope City Councilman Robert Brown, who is also a board member of the Eastern Shore Art Center. A case number reflects that a complaint has been filed; the commission has made no finding on it.