North Santiam Sewer Authority
Overview
In January 2017, a feasibility study titled “North Santiam Canyon Regional Wastewater Analysis” by Keller Associates and an inventory titled “North Santiam Canyon Regional Land Inventory” by Maul Foster and Alongi were completed for these communities. These planning efforts will be expanded to develop a North Santiam Joint Sewer Master Plan and subsequent Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan(s). Master planning paves the way for funding acquisition, and design and construction.
General Project Timeline
Short Term (0-1 years): Develop a project plan of action, which includes the following to ensure that the wastewater project can be accomplished.
Mid-Term (1-4 years): Engineering and design studies. The securing of permitting, loans, grants, and fees to fund phased project costs.
Long-Term (4-8 years): Project prioritization, construction of project components.
Updates
What has been accomplished so far?: The NS Sewer Authority is hosting another Town Hall for the NS Sewer Draft Master Plan on July 14, 2021 via Zoom. Peter Olson of Keller Associates will be there to discuss the options ahead for the NS Sewer Authority and the estimated project timeline. The Town Hall will be recorded and available on the North Santiam Sewer Authority YouTube page shortly after the event.
A pathway to legal entity status has been established, as well as stakeholder mapping, decision modeling, general time line for project, potential financing options, and city resolutions from Detroit, Gates, Idanha and Mill City that specifically requested the formation of a sewer authority by Marion County. The formal binding of the sewer authority has created joint financial and operational responsibility and a commitment to a legal governance structure.
An extensive data collection process for master planning has been underway. This includes gathering records from communities in the canyon, geotechnical investigations, infiltration testing, and field evaluations of existing infrastructure.
What is happening now?: Data collection from communities within the North Santiam Sewer Authority is continuing and the processing of this data is underway.
What is happening next?: If no significant changes to the draft plan are necessary after the town hall event, the NS Sewer Master Plan is expected be on the Authority’s August 5th agenda for approval.
Once the plan is approved, The North Santiam Sewer Authority will present the plan to each of the city councils and throughout the community groups.
Want to get involved?: Please join us at one of our monthly meetings.
Leadership
Ken Woodward
Chair
Tim Kirsch
Vice Chair
Janet Zeyen-Hall
Secretary
Brian Gander
Treasurer
TBD
Communications and Public Relations Chair