Higher sewer fee or raw sewage?

Some things are more distasteful than others, and that's why the Urban County Council must raise sewer rates.

Raw sewage backing up into houses and flowing into streams, overflowing manholes and flooding are all worse than a $2.61 monthly average increase in the sewer fee.

For those with short memories, or who have moved recently to Lexington or had the good fortune to never live or travel anywhere where our dilapidated sewer and stormwater system routinely caused havoc and danger, the fee increase might seem like a bad idea.

Thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency, the fee increase is not only a good idea, it's really the only responsible option.

The EPA sued Lexington almost a decade ago for violations of the Clean Water Act as a result of an inadequate stormwater and sewage system that was, literally, endangering the lives of residents.

Lexington eventually reached an agreement — recorded in a consent decree — with the EPA to fix the sewer and stormwater systems. Under terms of that consent decree, the city is subject to large fines if the work doesn't continue according to schedule.

So either way, we pay.

The EPA agreement is a reality that, frankly, leaves the council little choice, but the most important reason to raise the fee is to pay for continued improvements in our system.

The man responsible for all this work, Division of Air and Water Quality director Charlie Martin, said late last year that the work done since 2007 — at a cost of $130 million — eliminated 51 million gallons of sewage a year that had been flowing into Fayette County streams.

The next phase, to be financed with bonds that will be paid off using proceeds from sewer fees, will be even more costly, at almost $200 million. It will involve building six huge storage tanks to hold water during major rainstorms.

The tanks will regulate the flow of water into the sanitary sewer system, holding excess water during storms to release when it won't overburden the system.

The council soon will vote on this increase, to take effect in July. Members should vote for the increase while remembering their obligation to ensure that the money is used wisely and efficiently.

No one wants to pay higher fees; but be assured the alternative is much, much worse.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Higher sewer fee or raw sewage?."