Carbonado Residents Continue Discussion On Waste Water Issue

Mahaska County Sanitarian Eric Dursky speaks before residents of Carbonado Road on Tuesday night

Oskaloosa, Iowa – With Carbonado Road residents still looking for answers for how to proceed with waste water, solutions and opinions are both abundant.

Eric Dursky started the meeting off by introducing a representative from AdvanTex Treatment System who was there to demonstrate and talk about their types of lightweight textile filter systems and their advantages over sand filters.

Other options were being presented, such as directional boring, as a cheaper alternative to traditional trenching. “Directional boring can be done at a fraction of the cost”, Dursky told to those gathered. Dursky pointed out that Mahaska Rural Water is familiar with the directional boring technique, as they have worked on several of the small communities around the area in helping them to install sewer systems in those towns. Engineering questions over the directional boring and easements remain.

Dursky once again touched upon the flash point for the situation that has developed along Carbonado. When we spoke with Dursky on Monday in preparation for Tuesday’s meeting. Dursky pointed towards a home that was for sale and was using a septic tank that needed to be updated, “because it was not compliant.” When repairs were being made, Dursky was informed by the homeowner that his neighbors system was the same way. “Well then at that point, I have knowledge of an illegal septic system, so I have to go and inspect it and find out what’s theirs, and at that point, obviously the chain reaction started and everybody started pointing fingers at the other neighbors. Since I was aware, all those houses on Carbonado Road pretty much, except for a few, will have septic tanks.”

A resident asked Dursky after the presentation by the Advantex representative, “So are you going to do this boring?” Dursky responded by saying, “I’m not planning on doing anything. The only thing I’m doing here tonight, once again, is just trying to get you guys some information to make the best choice possible.” Dursky explained that directional boring would be an option versus the traditional trenching that could be more expensive.

Mark Mauer says that his fellow residents that he’s spoken with along Carbonado “does not want to get hooked up. Maybe the one’s that are for it aren’t speaking up. Everyone so far, they want to have their own system.” Mauer pointed out that the systems would be updated, “It’s got to be updated when you sell your house, eventually they’ll be taken care of. If there’s any problems right now, make them fix those, make those people fix them.”

With a newer home, Mauer doesn’t see the benefit to hook up to the sewer system and not only pay for the cost to hook up with the city service, but then would also have to pay the monthly fee for sewer. Currently, Mauer does not see the cost savings of the sewer system and it paying for itself.

So the residents along Carbonado will be looking to make a joint decision in the near future… to connect to the city sewer system or to continue with septic systems, with the remaining residents that are not compliant being expected to update within the next year.

The residents along Carbonado should be presenting their decision to Dursky by February 12, 2012.