City Utilities is working to eliminate failing septic systems in the city by making connections to public sanitary sewer systems available for these properties. Hundreds of homes in the City are served by private septic systems. Septic systems have a limited life and eventually fail if not maintained properly, leaching human waste into groundwater, backyards, and neighborhood ditches and streams. Septic systems are linked to high E. coli bacteria counts in many small neighborhood streams and ditches during dry weather when children are most likely to play in them.
The Solution
To address health hazards in our neighborhoods, City Utilities is continuing the city’s efforts to convert many neighborhoods on septic systems to public sanitary sewer service. Neighborhoods with higher septic system failure rates are the priority of our program. Between 2009 and 2015, approximately 1,958 homes in Fort Wayne/Allen County have been or are planned to be taken off septic systems as part of Septic Elimination Program (SEP).
The Benefits
The benefits of SEP are far-reaching, including improved quality of life and are worry-free use of home facilities, fewer maintenance worries, and possibly improved property values when homes with failing septic systems are connected to the public sewer system. SEP also leads to cleaner area streams and neighborhood drainage ditches, greater protection for well water, streams, and drainage ditches, and reduces health hazards from dangerous bacteria exposure due to septic system failures in yards and ditches.
Program Results and Project Overviews
The following chart summarizes the number of actual septic eliminations each year since our program started in 2009, along with an approximate number of potential septic systems that will be eliminated in the future: Total Septic Eliminations.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions concerning the Septic Elimination Program, please contact City Utilities Development Services Department at (260) 427-1161 or come into our office at Citizens Square, 200 East Berry Street, Suite 250 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except for holidays.