Citizen Communications_Rachel Daack re Laurel Street Sanitary SewerJeanne Schneider - "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From: "Citizen Support Center" <dubuqueia @mycusthelp.com>
To: <jschneid @cityofdubuque.org>
Date: 04/04/2011 5:47 PM
Subject: "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: Rachel Daack
Phone: 563 -557 -3005
Email: rachel.daack @clarke.edu
Page 1 of 1
City Department: City Council
Message: Rachel K. Daack 800 Laurel Street Dubuque, IA 52003 4 April 2011 Dear City Council Members: I am writing
regarding the city's decision to require that homes on Laurel Street hook into the city's sanitary sewer system. I would like to
report my regret and disagreement with this decision. It does not fit the Green Dubuque initiative, will result in unnecessary
financial costs for the city and the homeowners, and may result in health problems that do not currently exist. According to
the EPA, "adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a cost - effective and long -term option for meeting public
health and water quality goals. " (EPA 832- R- 97- 001b). The EPA has developed the Voluntary National Guidelines for
Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. This means there are options that the
council can consider in protecting homeowners, the community, and the environment. There are no specific benefits to any of
these entities in transitioning homeowners to the city system. A well maintained septic system, like a well maintained
centralized city system, is a safe and effective way to handle wastewater. The EPA offers five separate models to consider.
The homes on our street have specific circumstances that suggest that being on the city system is not warranted. First, there is
no evidence that the current septic systems are not safe for human health or the environment. Second, homes on the same
street that have been moved to the city system have both had their pumps fail which has resulted in, rather than protecting
from, real health problems including waste water backup into homes. Third, the expense of switching the existing septic
systems to the city wastewater system for the community and the homeowners must exceed properly maintaining systems
that currently exist. I encourage you to reconsider workable options in order to make an informed financial, public health, and
environmental decision. Sincerely, Rachel K. Daack
file: / /C: \Documents and Settings \jschneid \Local Settings \Temp \XPgrpwise \4D9A0419D... 04/05/2011