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Show Page 5A' South Edition Lakeside August 29, 1984 Viewpoint Sewer District Needs Attention KATHI LEWIS Review Guest Columnist August 21, 1984 was a day in which registered voters who reside within the confines of the North Davis County Sewer District had the opportunity to determine the amount of their sewer rate increases. A general obligation bond issue of $46.7 million dollars that will provide funds for expansion and improvement of existing waste water facilities was voted upon. The bond issue was passed by a 2 to margin. This means that North. Davis County Sewer Districts user fees will increase from $3 to $4.80 per month. There are several vital points of concern that we as users of the North Davis County sewer District must be aware of: 1. It is readily apparent that North Davis County Sewer Districts wastewater treatment plant must expand to meet current as well as future wastewater treatment needs. The wastewater treatment plant has a design capacity of 19 MGD (million The plant is now operating at or above design capacity. Wastewater is not as effectively treated when design 1 capacity is exceeded; and the effluent may not meet imposed state or federal discharge regulations. While funds for expansion are necessary, North Davis Sewer District must ensure its users that the wastewater plant is operating efficiently, and that illegal storm water entry is minimal. Currently, North Davis County Sewer District estimates there is a 30 percent illegal storm water entry: this amount is excessive. Excessive storm water entry coupled with increased demand greatly reduces treatment efficiency and adds excessive load on equipment. Expansion will help alleviate increased load due to growth but will only add unnecessary expense when illegal storm water is allowed to continue at such a has generously funneled 90 per- cent of available funds into Salt Lake Countv. Apparently our area has been forgotten. While our sewer fees escalate, our tax dollars help alleviate dramatic sewer fee increases in Salt Lake County. We need legislators who vigorously pursue our needs. 3. The State of Utah has recently mandated that current effluent standards of 23 mg1 BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and 23 mg1 SS (suspended solids) be stiffened to 15 mg1 BOD and 10 mg1 SS. Since the receiving water is the Great Salt Lake, these standards are ridiculous and can add $6 million to construction costs. North Davis County Sewer District is negotiating with the State to see if these recently imposed discharge standards can be relaxed. At this time, the state is considering an adjustment in the 15 mg1 BOD discharge standard. Standards imposed by the state should not be across the board but should be determined by the type of receiving waters involved. 4. Comparative sewer fees listed in the information letter are misleading. Initially, it appeared as though North Davis County Sew high level. It is imperative that North Davis County Sewer District take strong stands on illegal storm wa- ter entry and stiffly penalize guilty cities. 2. North Davis Sewer District has exhausted both state and fed- eral avenues for wastewater funds. State funds have been available, but the state of Utah er Districts sewer fees are extremely low ($3), but when mill levies, connection or impact fees, and additional sewer fees charged by cities are considered, our area, in most cases, pays a higher price for sewage treatment than those cities listed. Currently, in Roy City, four special sewer service districts pay $10.20month. Since the bond issue passed, rates will rise an additional $1.80month for a total of $12mo. When a mill levy of 2.39 and a connection fee of $1,250 or more (West Roy) are considered, Roy citizens pay an excessive amount for sewer. In fact, Roy citizens pay more for sewage treatment than they pay for culinary water. 5. An increase from $100 to $500 in impact fees by North Davis County Sewer District can have a detrimental effect on new housing starts. 6. The current mill levy of 2.39 will increase until a 4.0 mill levy is achieved. 7. The bond is a variable interest bond and is subject to unspecified rate changes, i.e., $4.80mo could fluctuate. Staff Photo by Rodney Wright to the importance of wearing seat belts occured last week when this woman and her children were involved in an automobile accident in Layton which r. The pitted a Volkswagen Rabbit against a tractor-trailecollision killed the Rabbit, but left the occupants of the small car alive, though two were hospitalized. Injuries undoubtedly would have been worse if the family members had not "buckled up before entering traffic. Wise parents have all children secured safely, even on short trips. A TESTIMONY Letter to the Editor school acitivities. These comments are also directed to those students who cherish memories, to those who dare to dream. Imagine, if you can, a high school Homecoming Ball. The ' Review Editor: place, a traditional and honorable You will have the rest of your high school gymnasium, decoratlife to remember. But what you ed with the time and talents of have to remember depends on hundreds of high school students. what you do today. You, alone, After a week-lon- g excitement of control the outcome of your fu- games and activities that everyture. one has enjoyed, the traditional This letter is written' in re- evening is at hand. sponse to Sydney Goffs article Students, as well as alumni, arconcerning the expense of high rive to celebrate the spirit of the Social Life Important By occasion. Several students arrive in an old yellow school bus, others have come in a family wagon, still many will yet arrive in pickup trucks, VWs and even some on bicycles. Each student has a story to tell of an exciting dinner adventure. You see, many have eaten in the back of a moving van, others in an empty parking lot, and for the more creative, a tent in a backyard. Yes, it is a night to remember. Not because of fancy attire or luxurious automobiles, but because memories and friendships its wry definition an . emergency room must for any eventuality, large prepared or small. Each day, every necessary item is restored, schedules and staffing are double cheeked. Paramedics and ambulance personnel clear radio equipment. When a major trauma occurs, be . can not be rented or purchased, the decision is, and should be, left up to the student. If a student they can only be created. This scene has changed from cannot participate in an activity, the stereotyped and overcritized because of the lack of funds, then social events of the past few de- it is the students responsibility to cades. Dating, itself, has changed change. Society cannot be blamed considerably over the past few for the lack of individual effort. years. It has moved away from No student need miss any high the financial burdens, to more school experience, if he or she creative social exchanges. prepares for the task at hand. Activities in high school, and In a free society, naturally, in a dating setting, are once in a competition will be intense. If the lifetime experiences. These social organizations limit participation, events are some of the strongest because of a concern for quality, avenues for strengthening student then quality in that organization perspective. Yet the freedom and will remain high. Even so, one lo such as a traffic accident, evert' doctor, nurse, technician, clerk and crisis worker responds in seconds. The calm order turns to a flurry of activity until every person and tool stands ready to perform a precise and specific function the moment the patient arrives. The McKav-Dc- Emergency Program was recently described by a state evaluation group as equal to any in the state. Twenty four hours a day, three hundred sixty-fivdays a I lospital year, we are McKay-DeCenter and we are here for vou. McKAY-DE- E e e HOSPITAL ii CENTER e j i cal Davis County high school marching band encourages everyone to participate. Woods Cross Band has earned (not purchased) its tradition of excellence. I believe that the Davis County School system offers activities and experiences for everyone. The high quality of organizations in this district are an example of the continued commitment for student improvement. No one is turned down because of finacial or social limitations. Kelly Silvester Bountiful |