Why This Measure Matters

Septic systems contribute to groundwater and surface water contamination at a higher level than the LOTT Clean Water Alliance treatment plant.​

 

What’s the Story?

• The Septic to Sewer Program was created in 2008, giving financial and technical assistance to property owners. This resulted in an increase in conversions from prior years.
• The program includes a waiver of the City general facility charge (GFC) valid for two years. The number of connections dropped when those waivers expired.
• In March 2017, LOTT implemented its Septic Conversion Incentive Pilot Program, providing additional financial assistance. LOTT made it an ongoing program in 2019.
• Council expanded the Septic to Sewer Program in 2017 to provide additional opportunities for conversions including reducing the reimbursement required from property owners who connect and allowing new property owners to also be eligible for the program.
• Neighborhood sewer pipe extension projects will provide additional opportunities for conversions.
• We expect conversions to be steady over the next few years as interested property owners along two new sewer extension projects connect to sewer (see below for details).
• Conversions are measured in Equivalent Residential Units. A single-family home is one ERU; a duplex is two ERUs; a fourplex is 2.8.
• As a result of a late 2025 mailing of sewer notifications to property owners along new sewer extensions, 21 septic to sewer conversion permits were approved with construction expected to occur in early 2026.

 

Target

20/year

 

Reporting frequency

Annual