County, city find joint solution to sewage lagoon issue

The Vernon County commision is excited about a new deal with the city, that will enable three rural water subdivisions to no longer utilize the waste water lagoon. In its stead, the rural subdivisions will have access to city sewage traeament in a new deal between the City of Nevada and Vernon County. The pump system is up and running, but the three subdivision wil not be hooked into the pump until sometime in the Fall of 2006.

By Colette Lefebvre

Nevada Daily Mail

The Vernon County Commission met with Mike Mitchell on Tuesday to discuss county sewer systems. Commissioners also serve as the trustees of the county sewer commission -- sewage investigators and problem solvers.

For county residents who live on Quail Road, which is off of BB highway, there is good news. Residents have complained of the eyesore and smell that emit from the foul sewage lagoon, and the commission has heard them.

"The lagoon has been in and out of compliance and we have been looking for ways to get rid of the lagoon." said Southern Commissioner Bonnie McCord.

According to McCord, when the commission heard about a new development called the Stonegate community, which was going to have a sewage pumping station near the existing subdivisions that are already outside the city limits, they met right away with the city.

"The city agreed -- as long as we paid for the additional costs of a phase three pumping station." said McCord.

So, the commission applied for a $30,000 grant. "We haven't heard back as of now." said McCord. The three subdivisions, that currently are utilizing the wastewater treatment lagoon are Fall Creek, Lakeview and Rolling Meadows. These three subdivisions will also have to pay a public works fee, according to Joe Charles, the public works director for the City of Nevada. Charles also says that the pump is up and running, though the subdivisions haven't been hooked up yet.

"The lagoon was put in place in the 1960s." said McCord. The commission found many options, such as dredging the lagoon or developing a new pumping station, and all these options cost much more than the idea of utilizing Stonegate's pumping station. The commission also let it be known that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources frowns on the use of lagoons as a waste treatment area.

"So, they are supporting the decision" as well, said McCord.

Charles also said that it's taken over a year to get this plan moving. "The total cost of the sewage system is 175,000," Charles said.

The pumps will also aid in the drainage of the 40 year old waste from the lagoon and when that's done it will be filled in and forgotten.