KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Officials in Oshtemo Township are preparing to move forward with a sewer extension project meant to bring citizens onto the main sewer line.
The project is estimated to cost around $28 million in total, with the first phase being funded by a 40-year $8.3 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The project will take several citizens off of septic tank systems and onto the main sewer line. Phase one is expected to begin this Spring.
Citizens are concerned with the amount of money to be connected onto the new system in place of a septic tank. The average cost is estimated at $11,000 per home, and some citizens may have to pay additional costs for connections.
During a board meeting on January 28, citizens expressed their concerns at being forced to switch to the main sewer line when some are using a working septic tank system.
As a result, the board will be holding several neighborhood and community meetings to address citizen concerns and questions.
Officials are currently working on an informational packet to be distributed to citizens with information about the meetings. The packet is said to include frequently asked questions (FAQ), an expected timeline of the project, and more.
More neighborhood meetings will be planned in the future for different phases of the project.
Currently, the next work session and board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at the Oshtemo Township Hall on February 11.
In total, around 900 homes are expected to be added to the main sewer line by the time the project is finished.
