Opinion ID: 1727552
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Potential Health Hazards from Sewage and Waste Disposal

Text: ¶ 18. The Chancellor concluded that the improper discharge of sewer and waste in the proposed annexation area created a potential health hazard and militated in favor of annexation. He also concluded that municipal enforcement of litter and trash disposal and regular trash collection would prohibit the illegal or improper disposal of solid waste materials. ¶ 19. The COA concedes that a municipal, central sewer system and waste treatment facility would be better than the septic tanks and private treatment plants currently in use. On the other hand, some of the residents in the disputed areas have spent significant sums of money for their private sewage systems. Indeed, Batesville's expert testified that sewer services would not need to be extended into those locations, including Fox Meadows, because those residents have demonstrated adequate upkeep of their private sewage systems. The COA acknowledges that a central sewer system would be more desirable, but it contends that the current system is effective. In addition, Batesville did not present any evidence of a health problem related to the sewage systems in the proposed annexation area. ¶ 20. Batesville did, however, show the potential for a health problem resulting from the use of defective and malfunctioning septic tanksa problem present throughout the annexation areaallowing for sewage to seep on top of the ground. Additionally, the soil is apparently not conducive to the use of septic tanks. An employee of the State Department of Environmental Quality who appeared as Batesville's expert testified that, in the annexation area, open dumping of garbage, old vehicles and other large pieces of machinery was practiced, standing water was present due to lack of absorption in the soil, and mosquito control was needed. ¶ 21. While Batesville made an adequate showing of the desirability of central sewage, it failed to present a comprehensive plan for preventing these potential health hazards within a reasonable amount of time.