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1. What is the Malletts Bay Sewer Project?

A pollution abatement project approved by Colchester voters in March 2022, to address failing septic systems and human waste bacteria in Malletts Bay. The project involves extending municipal sewer service to properties with frontage along West Lakeshore Drive from Prim Rd to the Bayside Intersection, all of East Lakeshore Drive, and Goodsell Point.

2. Where will the wastewater be treated?

The wastewater will be pumped to Severance Corners via Blakely Road and connected into the Town’s existing sewer system, which flows to the City of South Burlington’s Airport Parkway Wastewater Treatment Facility where it is treated under an existing agreement with the City.

3. How will the project be funded?

Approximately 68% of the project will be funded by grants. The remaining portion will be funded by a 30-year, 2% loan from the State of Vermont. The loan will be repaid only by the 289 properties located within the sewer service area. Properties outside of the sewer service area will pay nothing for this project. No property taxes or local option taxes will be used for this project.

4. Is my property located in the new sewer service area?

Properties included in the new sewer service area are those properties that have roadway frontage on either side of West Lakeshore Drive from Prim Road to East Lakeshore Drive, all of East Lakeshore Drive, and Goodsell Point. Please click here for a map of the sewer service area.

5. Will properties within the sewer service area be required to connect to the sewer system?

Yes. All of the Town’s current wastewater service areas are governed by ordinances that require all properties to connect to the municipal sewer once constructed.

6. How much will the initial connection fees be for properties connected to the sewer system?

All current developed properties within the proposed service area will be connected to the system at no charge. The connection, decommissioning of existing septic systems, and the amendments of individual wastewater permits will all be completed as part of the overall project. Once completed, the individual service laterals, including individual pump stations where needed, will be the responsibility of the property owner.

7. What will the estimated cost be for a residential property within the proposed sewer service area?

Charges to property owners for use of the sewer system will not begin until the properties are connected to the new system. The earliest possible date for portions of the new sewer system to be operational is expected to be in the late summer of 2026. The property owners along West Lakeshore Drive will be the first property owners to be connected to the new system. Property owners along East Lakeshore Drive and Goodsell Point are expected to be connected in the 2026-2027 time frame. At this time, our best estimate of what these charges will be approximately two years from now is approximately $100 per month, or about $1,200 per year per household which includes operating and debt charges. These charges may vary based upon actual total project costs at the end of construction in 2027, future wastewater treatment rate increases from the City of South Burlington, future increases in maintenance costs, and increases in available project funding from ongoing efforts to secure additional grant funds for the project. Your cost may also vary depending upon individual water consumption habits.

Operating charges pay for the daily operation and maintenance of the sewer system. They are based on individual water usage since this water is ultimately discharged to the sewer system, and represents how much each property uses the sewer system.  

Debt charges pay for the loans taken to help construct the sewer system. They are based on the amount of sewer capacity that is needed for each property. The required capacity for each property is based on the State of Vermont Environmental Protection Rules, Chapter 1, Wastewater System and Water Supply Rules.

8. Many of the properties within the sewer service area are significantly lower than the roadway, how will these properties be connected?

Many of the properties will require individual pump stations to pump the wastewater to the sewer line in the roadway. This will include those properties on West Lakeshore Drive that are lower than the roadway, (generally the lake side of the roadway) and also, all of the properties on East Lakeshore Drive and Goodsell Point where low-pressure sewers will be used. Because these sewer lines are pressurized, individual properties must pump into them regardless of elevation. Low pressure sewers were chosen for these areas as they can be installed at much shallower depths and do not require large pump stations. These factors are important considering traffic impacts during construction, limited working space, and ledge. Once the project is completed, the individual service lateral, including individual pumps will be the responsibility of the property owner. The pumps are a pre-packaged unit that are approximately 4 feet in diameter, and about 7 ½ feet high. They have adequate emergency storage in the event of a power outage, and operate quietly and efficiently, without odor. The units will be located outside of the houses and below ground surface. They will have an at grade cover on them and will look similar to a septic tank cover. One example of these types of stations can be found here.

9. What is the overall construction schedule for this project?

The project schedule is available here https://colchestervt.gov/3318/Project-Schedule-Phasing 

10. What is the current overall status of the project?

Phase I construction is currently underway with the installation of gravity sewer lines along West Lakeshore Drive, and the high-pressure force main along Blakely Road. The remaining portions of the project are currently in final design.

11. How can I get additional information about the project?

Please contact Public Works Director Norm Baldwin at MBS@colchestervt.gov or 802-264-5620.