SCS HB 709 -- PUBLICLY OWNED SEWER TREATMENT WORKS

This bill clarifies that the collection of fees for the repair
of lateral sewer service lines, which must be approved by a
majority of voters, is to protect the public health, welfare,
peace, and safety and that the fees will be used only to pay all
or a portion of the costs associated with lateral sewer service
line repairs.

This bill also requires a public sewage treatment plant that
owns the interceptors and local sewers to operate and maintain
the entire public sewer system.  Except where the publicly owned
treatment works has assumed such responsibility, an individual
user is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the
pressure system, including grinder pumps and service laterals to
the system used for collecting or conducting wastewater
originating at the user's location.

This bill contains an emergency clause.

HB 709 -- SEWER OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (Foley)

This bill requires a public sewage treatment plant that owns
interceptors and local sewers to operate and maintain the entire
system, except an individual's pressure system.  Maintenance
includes grinder pumps and service lateral to the system used
for collecting or conducting wastewater.

This bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 709 -- SEWER OWNED TREATMENT WORKS

SPONSOR:  Foley

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Utilities Regulation by a vote of 15 to 0.

This bill requires a public sewage treatment plant that owns
interceptors and local sewers to operate and maintain the entire
system, except an individual's pressure system.  Maintenance
includes grinder pumps and service lateral to the system used
for collecting or conducting wastewater.

This bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that grinder pumps are located in
the property owners' buildings or homes and that the owners
should be responsible for the maintenance of the pumps.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Foley; St. Louis
Home Builders; Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District; and
Department of Natural Resources.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Donna Schlosser, Research Analyst

HB 709 -- Sewage Treatment

Sponsor:  Foley

This bill requires a public sewage treatment plant that owns
interceptors and local sewers to operate and maintain the entire
system, except an individual's pressure system.  Maintenance
includes grinder pumps and service lateral to the system used
for collecting or conducting wastewater.

This bill contains an emergency clause.