CAMDEN POINT, Missouri – Although most of us take being connected to a central sewage system for granted, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about one in five U.S. households rely on a septic system.
These numbers are much higher further north in Platte County, particularly in Camden Point, Missouri.
Why? The entire city with fewer than 500 residents relies on sewage treatment plants to cover its wastewater needs.
“For 10 years when I was mayor, people asked me, ‘When are we going to get sewers?'” said Mark Waggoner, former mayor of Camden Point.
KSHB 41
But there is good news for the rural community: after years of waiting, the switch to a centralized sewage system is finally happening.
“It’s great for the environment if we can set up centralized systems in communities rather than having individual treatment systems, especially ones that are old and failing,” said Glenn Curtis of EPA Region 7.
The change also means an improvement in the quality of life for the residents.
“There is no raw sewage runoff in the city, in our small streams and roadside ditches,” Wagoner said.
Councilman Roger Giger said escaping the smell of the septic tank was a bonus.
“The ability to sit outside on the patio and so on, enjoy the evening and not have to smell the sewage,” Giger said.
KSHB 41
Although septic tanks can be safe and effective, they can fail if they are old or overloaded, according to the EPA. If the wastewater gets onto the ground, there is a risk of exposure, which is dangerous.
“Usually these are bacterial problems, i.e. contact with bacteria in wastewater. And a lot of times they stay on the floor and kids play in them,” Curtis said.
City leaders said it’s a project that’s been in the works for years. Thanks to the combined efforts of the EPA, USDA, HUD and Representative Sam Graves, funding was secured.
Over the next three years, $8 million in grants and loans will be provided to provide wastewater systems to more than 200 homes at no additional cost to residents.
Residents said the launch of this project was like an early Christmas present.
A gift that wouldn’t be possible without Mark and Cindy Hill.
When there was no space for a water treatment plant, the couple stepped in.
The Hills used their Powerball winnings — they took home $136 million after taxes in 2012 — to purchase and donate the land for the wastewater treatment plant.
Thanks to this generous donation and the partnership between federal, state and local governments, city leaders are now looking ahead to how this project could help Camden Point grow in the future.
“Plans for a seniors development have been presented to the board… and the architect told me recently that there have already been contacts about land to be developed in the Camden Point area,” Giger said. “I think the city will grow. I think it will help our school district with the number of students, etc., and it will just really benefit the entire community.”
—
Comments are closed.