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Column: July 18, 2004 The Septic Conversion Problem Cornell Burris, Chairman of the 42nd/Sherman Barrett Law Committee, wrote the following article for a special Indianapolis Star Focus on Neighborhoods. Indianapolis is the only major city in the United States replacing private septic sewers systems with municipal sanitary sewers and requiring property owners to pay most of the cost. There are approximately 30,000 septic tank sewer systems in Marion County, most in outlying areas; but there are some in Center Township. Of that number, 18,000 have been classified by the Marion County Health Department as community health risks and they must be replaced. Currently, our City-County government is utilizing Indiana State Statute—Barrett Law, to replace septic sewer systems. Under the Barrett Law, homeowners may be assessed up to 10% of the value of their property to bring a municipal sewer through a municipal street into the homeowner’s neighborhood. Depending on the size of the Barrett Law Project, it could cost between $7,000 and 20,000 (or more) per homeowner. However, this is not the only cost to the property owner. Additional costs will include but not be limited to the following: 1) the cost of the sewage line from the house to the street, 2) having the septic tank emptied and filled with dirt, sand, or gravel, and 3) if the house has a basement with a restroom, depending on the depth of municipal sewer and the basement restroom, the owner may be required to install a holding tank and pump. Utilizing the Barrett Law is destructive to our neighborhoods and is adding to the number of homes in foreclosure. Of the projects under the Barrett Law, 25% of the homes have been foreclosed. We are deeply concerned about the people living in these homes. Many are senior citizens who have been living in their homes for 20, 30, or more years. Many have said, “what am I going to do, I don’t have that kind of money”. This problem is not restricted only to senior citizens. I have heard many young couples basically state the same frustration, “I cannot afford it”. There is a better way to finance the replacement of septic sewers than the Barrett Law. Our local government officials must treat this issue as a community problem and not a property-owner problem. In mid-November of last year, former Councilor Coughenour proposed a City Ordinance that would have created funds and replaced the Barrett Law. The Public Works Committee Chairman, at that time, refused to allow a vote and the ordinance was tabled. Of particular concern is that they would not take public comments from the 400 citizens who attended the hearing. Many activists, like us, put our hope for action on this ordinance with the new City-County Council who came in office January 2004. I am very sorry to state, although a hearing was promised, none has materialized. Therefore, I urge the approximate 75,000 people in Indianapolis and Marion County who use septic sewer systems to let your voice be heard. Please contact your City-County Councilor and demand he/she support a fair and reasonable solution to this issue now!
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