A new law approved this spring will allow SD1 to partner with the private sector to more efficiently support Northern Kentucky’s growing economy and population.
The Kentucky General Assembly unanimously approved Senate Bill 182 earlier this spring, and the bill became law in March. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Wil Schroder, R-Wilder and Sen. John Schickel, R-Union.
The new law establishes SD1’s ability to encourage private developers to build infrastructure on a scale that can benefit the entire region, rather than just their own development projects.
“Balancing Northern Kentucky’s variety of needs is one of SD1’s biggest challenges, and we’re pleased with the General Assembly’s action to help us meet those needs,” SD1 Executive Director Adam Chaney said.
In order to build a new subdivision or commercial complex, private companies must ensure their new buildings have adequate sewer and other utility services available. This can mean building a new sewer pipe or pump station to serve their new development.
While individual developers are only required to build this infrastructure to serve their own project, in some cases that infrastructure could serve the whole community if built on a larger scale. The new law allows SD1 to reimburse developers for the cost of upsizing their sewer infrastructure to meet SD1 and the region’s long-term planning goals.
“If SD1 can add capacity to our sewer system while developers are already breaking ground on sewer pipes and pump stations, we can take a more proactive approach to meeting future needs while saving ratepayer dollars,” said Chaney. “That savings is money we can spend on other needs, including maintaining existing sewers and providing programs for existing customers, such as our private lateral repair and backup assistance programs.”
SD1 is responsible for the collection and treatment of Northern Kentucky’s wastewater as well as regional storm water management. SD1 is the second largest public sewer utility in Kentucky, serving more than 290,000 residents throughout Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.
Since the law was adopted, SD1 has heard interest in partnering from local developers. No projects are currently under consideration for this type of partnership, but SD1 will explore opportunities as they arise.
“Lack of capacity when it is needed can threaten economic vitality, so our industry is encouraged that this new law will help both the development community and SD1 address the issue,” said Brian Miller, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky. “We’re grateful for our legislators’ attention to this matter and eager to partner with SD1 to solve community-wide problems.”
SD1 maintains approximately 1,600 miles of sanitary sewer system pipeline, 135 wastewater pumping stations, 15 flood pump stations, six package treatment plants, three major wastewater treatment plants, 450 miles of storm sewer system and 32,500 storm sewer structures.
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