Hyde said that if a septic system is operating properly, there is no danger to the groundwater. But, he said, sometimes owners forget to inspect their septic systems, and then they can become a contamination source. With recent discussions occurring about Hailey s future growth by 2020 and area of city impact, the city council decided one way to protect its water is to offer its water and sewer services outside its limits. Hyde said his department has already received requests from property owners outside the city for those services, but Hailey currently does not have a policy to handle them. The key to the new ordinance is the formation of water and sewer districts by property owners outside Hailey city limits who want water and sewer services.
Idaho law permits the establishment of water and sewer districts within or outside city limits.
Hyde said that if property owners were to form themselves into a water and sewer district and connect to Hailey, the district would have to pay the connection and infrastructure costs the new users added to the system. After that, he said, the new users would pay a monthly rate equal to that paid by city residents. The best way to form a water and sewer district outside of Hailey, he said, would be at the start of subdivision creation. Another way property owners may hook up to the city s systems is through annexation. Hyde said if the annexed property line were within 300 feet of a service main, the owner would have to hook up to city water and sewer systems unless the owner had a properly working water and septic system.