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Village of Logan Sewer Service Information
Phase I - Sewer Collection System and
Wastewater Treatment Ponds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my property included in the sewer system?
A map has been prepared called the Phase I - Sewer Services Area showing the sewer service area. A copy of this map will be displayed at the Village offices.
Where are the sewer lines going to be installed?
The sewer main will run along the south side of NM 540 Loop South. Sewer collection systems and sewer service connections will serve all properties, pending the actual construction bid, south of NM 540
Loop and Lakeview 1 & 2, Ramsey Addition 1 & 3, and Pleasant View subdivisions to the north of NM 540 Loop.
When will sewer service be available?
Phase I construction will start during the
winter of 2008. Based upon the size and complexity of the project, the estimated construction period is 20 to 24 months. Based upon this schedule, sewer service would be available in the winter of 2010. Pending additional funding, design of Phase II would start immediately.
What type of sewer service will be provided to my property?
The
Village of Logan will use both low pressure sewer systems and traditional gravity sewer systems because of the existing topography. Typically, owners living south of NM 540 Loop will have a low pressure sewer system and owners to the north will have a gravity sewer system. If you live
in the low pressure sewer system area, your home will use a grinder pump station to grind the wastewater from your home (much like the garbage disposal in your kitchen) and push the wastewater
through small plastic pipes to the larger line in the street.
Why are low pressure sewers being used?
Low pressure sewer
systems (LPS) are economic solutions for areas of the Village that cannot be served by traditional gravity sewer lines because of the existing topography. LPS allows sewer piping to follow the natural topography of the land, and uses much shallower and smaller diameter piping than conventional gravity sewers. LPS will be significantly less disruptive to property owners as well.
What do I need to know about grinder pumps?
Your grinder
pump will be situated in a tank located outside your house or building, and will grind up and pump wastewater to a pressure sewer line in the street. The grinder pump station will be located underground with the exception of the cover which will extend several inches above grade. A control panel will be located on the outside wall of your building near the grinder pump station.
The Village will be responsible for installing and maintaining the grinder pumps, and the
majority of the costs will be included in the overall project cost. The Village will enter an agreement with property owners to allow entry to your properties to install and maintain the pumps.
What happens with the grinder pumps if electrical power goes out?
If there is a power failure which affects your home, your grinder pump will also experience a loss of power and not be able to operate. The grinder pump station tank has certain amount of
holding capacity, but interior water use should be discontinued until power has been restored.
How will the grinder pump get wastewater up to the road or up the hill?
The selected pump is capable of pumping wastewater at 10 gallons per minute (gpm) up to a
height of more than 150' vertically.
Where will the wastewater go for disposal?
The sewer pipes will carry wastewater from the sewer service area to the new wastewater treatment ponds east of the existing ponds on the other side of the railroad tracks. The evaporative ponds are lined and will not discharge wastewater.
How much is this project going to cost?
The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $15 million dollars. Available funding for Phase I is approximately $9.5
million including engineering design and construction costs.
How is the sewer project going to be funded?
The Village has
worked hard to line up significant grant funding for the sewer project. Funding for this project is from the following sources:
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) program - which
provided grants and long term loans
- The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) - which provided grants through the New
Mexico Finance Authority and State Appropriations
- The users of the system through monthly sewer rates
- The users of the system through sewer service connection fees
What fees/costs will I have to pay if I am served by the sewer system?
If you own property within the Sewer Service Area you will be expected to pay your share of both the capital and operating costs of the system, as follows:
Capital Costs:
A sewer service connection fee will be charged to property owners to cover a portion of the
costs of construction of the sewer system. This can be paid all at once or the Village will finance this over two years on your monthly sewer bill. At this time, the actual connection
fees for both gravity and low pressure are yet to be determined. However, it will be approximately $1000 for gravity and $2000 for low pressure. The connection fee can be paid over a period of 3 years.
Operating Costs:
Property owners will receive a monthly sewer bill that will cover the costs of operation and maintenance of the sewer system. At this time, the actual monthly sewer rate is yet to be determined. However, the maximum base sewer charge is $30 a month for residential users.
Am I required to fill out any special documentation for sewer service?
Property owners will be required to complete and submit an Application for Sewer
Service Agreement and Installation and Maintenance Agreement for Sewer Services to the Village of Logan by November 14, 2008.
Will I be required to connect to the sewer system if service is available?
All properties within the Sewer Service Area must hook up to the new sewer system.
My septic system is working fine, do I have to hook up to the system?
Yes, all properties within the Sewer Service Area must hook up to the new sewer system.
Can we leave the septic system in place for emergencies?
No. The major goal of the project is to eliminate pollution caused by septic tanks. All septic
tanks will be crushed and filled by the Village following connection to the sewer system.
Why do we have to install a sewer system?
There is concern by both
Village residents and staff for the need to protect Ute Lake from wastewater contamination. Ute Lake is one of the premier facilities in New Mexico and it is prudent to be proactive in order to
assure viability of Ute Lake.
The sewer system will:
- Protect Ute Lake from possible wastewater contamination
- Improve property values
- Remove 3/4 acre limitations on residential property
How will I be impacted during construction?
Most construction that will occur as a result of this project will be conducted within the street rights-of-way, except for each sewer service connection. The contractor will attempt to minimize the disturbance and restore existing landscaping as much as possible but are ultimately not responsible for repairing or replacing landscaping, surface material or other surface, fencing, or buried and/or other site improvements that may be damaged during the installation of the sewer service.
What will I be responsible for during construction?
The Village will be responsible for constructing all of the sewer mains, force mains, and pump stations that will provide sewer service to the property. The Village will also be responsible for making each individual sewer service connection (gravity or low pressure) to the existing sewer line coming out of the house. The Village will also crush and fill the existing septic tanks per NMED regulations. However, each property owner will be required to fill out a Sketch of Proposed Location for Servic
e Facilities with Village staff. Village staff will be coming around to your street before construction gets there to help you fill out the Sketch.
What will I be responsible for after sewer service connections are made?
For gravity sewer service connections, the on-lot portion of the gravity sewer service line is the sole responsibility of the
property owner to maintain, repair and replace as necessary.
For low pressure sewer service connections, the on-lot portion of the gravity sewer service
line is the sole responsibility of the property owner to maintain, repair and replace as necessary (that is the section between your house and the grinder pump station). The Village is
responsible for all other aspects of the wastewater collection system including the grinder pump station and low pressure sewer line on your property. Per the Installation and Maintenance
Agreement for Sewer Services, the property owner must have the grinder pump station and pump panel accessible and unobstructed at all times so that the Village may repair or replace components.
For additional information, please refer to the Village of Logan Sewer Ordinance,
Installation and Maintenance Agreement for Sewer Services, and the Application for Sewer Service Agreement. If you need further assistance, contact the Village of Logan at (575) 487-2239 or
visit www.utelake.com.
Village of Logan
P.O. Box 7
US Hwy 54
Logan, New Mexico 88426
Telephone: (575) 487-2239
Fax: (575) 587-2400
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