ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 1996 TAG: 9607240042
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
For Louise Beamer, there's no escaping the multitude of failing septic systems that dot the community of Clearbrook, where she lives and works.
She tests the well at her home regularly because of the threat of contamination from a neighbor's septic system. When she goes to work at the Housecall Health Care office on U.S. 220, she's greeted regularly by overflowing toilets caused by the building's own septic problems.
"I've mopped the floor so many times," she moaned.
Roanoke County officials have told her in the past that the problem may not be solved in her lifetime.
"It may be 10 or 15 years, but that's why I'm fighting," she said. "I want it in my lifetime."
This week, the Board of Supervisors approved a sewer line extension to Clearbrook School and approved a program that could help many homes in Clearbrook solve longtime water and sewer needs. The program would also be available to about 20 other communities in the county with similar problems.
Clearbrook has no public water or sewer lines, and much of the land isn't compatible with wells or septic systems.
"You've got a whole lot of water on top but not a lot down deep," said Dick Tabb, environmental health manager for the Roanoke and Alleghany Health Departments.
Health officials have repaired 10 septic systems in the area in the past six years and have found contaminants in some of the wells in Clearbrook, but Tabb said most of the bacteria appear to be the type that live in surface water rather than the more dangerous fecal coliform found in septic systems. However, he agreed that the potential exists for greater health risks since most of the wells and septic systems in Clearbrook are old and deteriorating.
Dr. Milton Miller, who owns the building that houses both his medical practice and Housecall, said he's had his septic system pumped as frequently as twice in a single day during heavy rains.
"I would never have put an office there if I had known," he said.
But he built the office nearly 20 years ago. The area was designated to remain relatively rural, with a mix of agriculture and light residential developments. As recently as 10 years ago, county officials still viewed the area as low growth, but their plans to direct development into North County failed. Clearbrook was swept up in the growth wave that hit Southwest County.
"The best-laid plans go awry," said Glen Prather, an officer of the Clearbrook School's Parent-Teacher Association. "People are going to live where they're going to live."
As houses multiplied, so did septic systems, until the area reached the saturation point.
Several years ago, Clearbrook residents asked the county to run water and sewer lines to their homes. County officials did a survey that indicated only about a third of the homeowners would pay a share of the cost. Based on that level of participation, they estimated that each participating household would have to pay about $10,000. Interest in the project faded.
"Sixty percent of people in this area are old and retired people," said Watson Simmons, president of the Clearbrook Civic Club. "They're on a fixed income."
But the number of septic failures continues to escalate. The school's septic system failed in April, and the Clearbrook firehouse is facing a similar situation.
Principal Cris Slippen said the school's septic system will be pumped regularly until the sewage line is constructed. The school's well is being monitored closely and shows no sign of contamination, she added.
Although the initial sewer line was approved specifically for the school, Clearbrook residents hope it's the first step in extending services to residences, too. The program approved by the supervisors this week makes it more affordable for homeowners to get public utilities in communities such as Clearbrook, Dixie Caverns, Richland Hills and Glenvar Heights.
Traditionally, water and sewer lines are not funded with property tax revenues. Instead, developers pay for lines and include that expense in the cost of the houses they sell.
The county has a policy for existing developments to get those services, but the homeowners must pay for the improvements themselves. As Clearbrook residents discovered, it's often not affordable, particularly when not everyone is willing to contribute to the project.
Under the program, the county chips in and pays the shares of nonparticipating landowners. Those landowners would have to pay later if they wanted to hook up to the system, which means the county eventually could recoup some or all of its costs. The program is limited to areas where a majority of property owners will pay and where a health or safety concern exists.
Windsor Hills Supervisor Lee Eddy was the only board member voting against the program and the extension to the school. He raised concerns that the school may eventually be replaced and objected to using county money to provide utilities to individual communities. He was outvoted4-1.
"If we're going to wait till everybody can afford to do it, then our water and sewer lines are going to come to a screeching halt," said Fuzzy Minnix, who represents the Cave Spring District, including Clearbrook.
County data indicate the potential for 125 water and 75 sewer hookups at a cost of $1.9 million in Clearbrook. It's likely that service would be phased in over time since lines would have to be extended in two directions, one from the Hunting Hills subdivision and another from Buck Mountain Road.
County Administrator Elmer Hodge said he would like to see the cost per household for water and sewer service kept to $5,000 to $6,000 each. He believes that's possible because the county would pay between $125,000 and $215,000 for its share on the school alone. Also, local contractor Randy Kingery has offered to donate the excavation work, which would help keep costs down.
Clearbrook residents realize that public utilities will bring even more growth to their area. They said plenty of land lies fallow now because the owners can't get approval for a septic system.
But with the prospect of Interstate 73 barreling into the area in the future, many said they've already braced themselves for change.
"A lot of the people may want to keep it like it is," said Alice Spouts, who grew up in Clearbrook and still lives there. "This to me is not a very agricultural area anymore. If we get water and sewer, it'll be all open. At the same time, I'd hate to see our schools go down the drain."
Louise Beamer said she's concerned about the school, the fire company and the doctor's office. But mostly, she just wants to give herself a break from mopping.
"I'm fighting for me," she said.
LENGTH: Long : 124 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ROGER HART/Staff 1. Dr. Milton Miller and Louiseby CNBBeamer are Clearbrook workers fighting for public water and sewer
services. Their office building has been plagued with sewage
problems. color. 2. map. staff