EPA raises Sandy's allowed capacity for new wastewater system connections

In October 2022, the city of Sandy implemented a temporary moratorium on land-use applications that would require new sewer connections.

Now, the city is taking a step forward in allowing more new connections, thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“The City of Sandy is pleased to announce that after significant reinvestment into our wastewater infrastructure under the Sandy Clean Waters program, the capacity of the system to accept new connections has been officially raised by 90%,” city officials said in a statement on May 3.

This announcement follows an April letter from the EPA to the city, saying that the EPA and Oregon DEQ “recognized the progress that the city has made toward increasing capacity, including but not limited to significant inflow and infiltration reduction.”

Because of this visible progress, the agencies approved a raise of the cap on Sandy’s wastewater system from 300 new equivalent residential units (ERUs) to 570 ERUs. Down the road, there is also hope for the city to receive an additional 190 ERUs, upon meeting further conditions.

“I am immensely proud of the work we are accomplishing to repair and modernize our infrastructure here in Sandy,” said Mayor Stan Pulliam. “Rather than kick the can down the road, I am committed to doing what is necessary to rebuild a solid foundation for our town to ensure Sandy remains open for business.”

After lengthy inflow and infiltration work to prevent rainwater from overwhelming the existing system, and with further plans for renovations on the table, the city continues to work to keep up to the city’s growth, while also being able to allow for new development.

In 2023, the city’s wastewater system underwent a “stress test” to determine its capacity and the city used this data to negotiate with regulatory agencies.

After negotiating, the city was allowed a raise in capacity just large enough to accommodate all the development applications that were submitted prior to the moratorium, so that those property could proceed with their projects. And this also decreased the city’s legal liability.

“I am happy to announce that property owners who submitted applications before the moratorium now have assurances that they can connect their projects to our wastewater system,” added Pulliam. “These property owners have waited patiently and played by the rules, and I know this approval comes as welcome news.”

At the June 3 meeting, Sandy City Council will consider adoption of a revised moratorium, formally allocating the newly freed up ERUs to existing projects and allowing staff to process new connections up to the new capacity.

“Although the wastewater system improvements accomplished thus far have been significant, more work remains to be done, including adoption of an updated wastewater facilities plan, construction of new treatment infrastructure, and additional rehabilitation of the existing collection system,” city officials said.

To learn more about Sandy Clean Waters wastewater improvement program, please visit the city of Sandy’s website at ci.sandy.or.us/sewer-fix .

To read past coverage of this project from The Post, visit tinyurl.com/yjy7skc6 .