Frequently Asked Questions

 

Will I be required to connect to sewer once this project is complete?

 

No, homeowners will not be required to connect to sewer. However, if you choose to redevelop the property in any way or if your septic system fails, you may be required to connect to sewer. This direction would come from Snohomish County as part of the building or septic permit process.

 

Contact Snohomish County by calling 425-388-3311 or visiting:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/1687/Permitting or https://www.snohd.org/

 

If I sell my home, will the new owners be required to connect to sewer?

 

No, if you sell your home in its current condition, the new owners would not be required to connect to sewer. If a new owner decides to redevelop the property in any way, they may be required to connect to sewer. This direction would come from Snohomish County as part of the building permit process.

 

Why are we doing this project if you aren’t expecting people to connect at this time?

 

The District has been anticipating an increase in development in the Silver Acres neighborhood in conjunction with the future development of light rail in the area.

 

https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/everett-link-extension

 

The current water infrastructure does not provide adequate fire flow to support future development. To plan for future growth in the area, the District will be upsizing the water main on 10th Drive SE between 118th Pl SE to 131st St SE. In planning for this project, the District also realizes that sewer will be a future need in the area.

 

Recognizing an interest in future development in this area, the District decided to pursue options to install sewer where it is feasible. Combining the water main and sewer installations will reduce disruptions to residents and put necessary infrastructure in place that will support development in years to come.

 

The District does not expect all current property owners to connect to the sewer in the near term. This is a forward-thinking project that will anticipate growth over the coming decades.

 

Why are you funding the project this way?

 

The District has decided to fund this project through a “special connection fee” model. This means that the District will take on the upfront risk and cost of the project and charge each property their proportional share as they connect to sewer. By funding the project this way, ittakes the burden off a single developer or homeowner to build out the necessary infrastructure but homeowners don’t incur costs until they actually connect. If a homeowner does not connect to the new sewer, no charges are incurred to the homeowner.

 

 

Is this type of funding structure common?

 

This type of funding model is not common. The District recognizes that the demand for new sewer in Everett will increase as growth increases. To accommodate this demand, the District has decided to cover the costs up front and recover the costs later via a special connection fee. With a special connection fee, the District will only charge property owners who connect to sewer. If a property owner decides not to connect, there will be no cost to them.

 

Choosing the special connect fee is an alternative to the need for a Local Improvement District, which would require all residents to pay for an improvement up front, whether or not they use it. The District chose to fund the 10th Drive SE sewer with a special connection fee to minimize the burden to property owners who do not wish to connect to sewer. By funding the project up front and collecting special connection fees as properties connect, the District will bear immediate costs in anticipation of growth and development in the coming decades.

 

Has the District ever funded a project this way before?

 

The District has used this model in the past. Some examples include a recent 12-inch water main in 131st Street SE, along with sewer in 35th Avenue near 116th Street SE and on Silver Crest Drive in Mill Creek. The District does not typically fund the construction of new sewer, as this is typically the responsibility of a developer or builder. However, in anticipation of growth in the area from the future light rail service, the District will put the infrastructure in place. Future developers will then have the ability to pay for the special connection fee, instead of taking on the cost and time to construct an entire new line.

 

This method of funding will not impose any mandatory fees or costs on property owners for the installation of sewer until they decide to connect to the sewer. Property owners who wish to keep the property in the current condition will not be required to connect to the sewer or pay any of the associated fees.  

 

If this District has money to fund the project up front, why do homeowners need to cover the costs?

 

Washington state law requires all users of sewer infrastructure to pay a proportional share of the development and use of the system. This law prevents the District from covering the cost of sewer on its own. Because the District has elected to cover the costs for construction and installation through a special connection fee, property owners who do not wish to connect to the new sewer do not have to pay for the sewer.

 

In the case of 10th Drive SE, the costs of the construction of the sewer will be shared across all 38 eligible properties. This proportional cost will be paid as a special connection fee, meaning it will only be required once a property owner decides to connect to sewer.

​

 

What will this do to my property value?

 

With the funding model of this project, the District has decided to take on the risk of this project by covering the costs up front. This will minimize the overall costs for developers and property owners who wish to connect in the coming years. Because of this, the installation of a sewer main and connection point generally increases the value of the property. Future developers or homeowners may be more interested in properties with existing infrastructure instead of considering the cost of funding it themselves, which would generally be more expensive.

 

At the end of the project, the District will assess the final special connection fee, and record it on each property’s title.

 

Does this project require me to redevelop my property?

 

No, this project is simply upgrading the water system and extending a sewer system where it is feasible to provide gravity sewer mains.