In July of 2007, Mason County Commissioners passed Ordinance 91-07 establishing that properties within 500 feet of the sewer alignment in the Belfair Urban Growth Area will be required to hook into the sewer system as it becomes available.
Properties required to hook into the system have been provided a “stub” in the road right-of-way to build into. Each stub location is property-dependent, but generally speaking locations were selected based upon location of nearby underground utilities, driveways, etc. Property owners will need to build a side sewer from their building to the stub in the right-of-way. More information about side sewers is available on our Side Sewer Fact Sheet. Mason County will provide property owners a map confirming the exact location of their side sewer stub in early 2011.
The county has provided a stub for all properties, regardless of whether your property abuts the roadway or not. If your property is not located adjacent to a right-of-way (i.e. there is another property between you and the main roadway where the sewer main is located), you will need to identify an easement via a driveway or utility right-of-way to locate your side sewer. If you don’t have an existing easement, you will need to coordinate with your nearby neighbors. If you have property specific questions about your side sewer connection, call our project hotline at 360-801-2482.
Yes. All properties required to connect to the system have been provided a stub. If your property is currently vacant, you will not be required to connect until your land is developed. A map of your side sewer stub will be filed with the Mason County Planning Department. If you decide to develop your property, you will receive a copy of the map when you file for a building permit. Vacant properties will be assessed the current connection fee at the time they are developed.
The county is asking property owners to be ready for side sewer construction starting in spring 2011 and have their side sewers ready for operation by the end of 2011. Mason County will be in touch with individual property owners in early 2011 to provide additional information about side sewer construction and payment and financing options.
Property owners are responsible for construction of their side sewers. Construction costs are largely property-dependent, and will vary based on the length of your connection and the geographical constraints of your property. On average, we estimate that a typical single family side sewer will cost approximately $4,000. Commercial and multi-family buildings will cost more.
Mason County is in the process of setting the fees for connecting to the new wastewater system. Connection fees will be based on the water use of an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). A single family home (2.5 people) is typically considered one ERU. Businesses and institutions will likely be multiple ERUs.
The current connect fee estimate for properties that connect to the system in 2011 is $3,000 per ERU. This fee is available to:
- Property owners required to connect during this first phase,
- Existing developed properties that cannot connect during the first phase for logistical reasons, and
- Existing developed properties in Phase 2 of the wastewater system.
After startup of the sewer system, any new development and existing properties in Phases 3 and 4 of the wastewater system will likely be charged a $15,000 conversion fee per ERU. More information about connection fees will be available in spring 2011. Final connection rates will be determined through a rate ordinance passed by Mason County Commissioners later this year.
More information on payment options will be sent to property owners in spring 2011. These details will also be part of a rate ordinance passed by Mason County Commissioners.
The county is still in the process of estimating rates for the new sewer system. Rates will be based on a property’s ERU, and are currently estimated at $96 per month, per ERU. Commercial properties and businesses will likely be multiple ERUs, while multi-family units may be a percentage of one ERU. Mason County will finalize the rates for the sewer system in early 2011 and will notify property owners by mail.
Each property owner can individually select a licensed contractor to build their side sewer. A permit and inspection will be required by Mason County. The county is in the process of identifying qualified side sewers contractors to assist property owners in selecting a contractor. A list of qualified contractors will be available in February 2011.
Mason County is currently investigating a county-run hook-up program where property owners would elect to have a county-hired contractor build their side sewer. By hiring a contractor to build multiple side sewers, the county may be able to lower the construction costs for property owners. The county will provide more information about this option to homeowners in the early part of 2011, and homeowners will be required to let the county know whether they would like to participate before spring 2011. If you elect to participate in the county-run hook-up program, you will also have the opportunity to finance the construction costs of your side sewer through the county.
Yes, however, Mason County encourages the use of a licensed contractor. All side sewers will require an inspection by Mason County before they can become operational. If your side sewer fails to meet inspection by the county, you may be required to pay for additional inspections and will be required to accommodate any modifications necessary to make the system compliant.
If you own a single family home on the low-pressure system, Mason County will provide you with a standard grinder pump. If you are located along the gravity system and you need a pump to get the wastewater from your home to the main in the street (i.e. your home is lower than the street), you will have to purchase your own pump. Commercial properties and businesses will also be required to purchase their own grinder pumps because they may require a larger pump that the one the county will provide for single family homes. See the Project Map to locate the gravity and low-pressure systems.