By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
Orange County officials announced last week that the county had received a $1.4 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to fund sewer systems in central Efland and north Buckhorn.
Efland sewer has been a hot-button issue in recent years, as the Orange County Board of Commissioners in 2008 approved a 300 percent hike in Efland sewer rates scheduled to be spread out over four years. According to County Manager Frank Clifton, the grant isn’t likely to have much of an effect on the rate increase, but it will bring additional customers into the overall system, “which will help balance the rate structure to some extent.â€
At an Orange County Justice United meeting in December, Efland residents asked county officials to seek additional sources of funding to lessen the rate increase. At the meeting, Orange County planning director Craig Benedict said the county had started design work to change the flow of the sewer to help negate the rate increase.
Clifton said county officials are studying the rate system and hope to bring the structure in line with Mebane rates as part of the 2011-12 fiscal year budget.
Rep. David Price, who represents Orange County, had added the funds for the grant to a special appropriations bill in 2003 and 2005. Over the years, Orange County and Mebane officials have been planning for the utility infrastructure in the area. The proposed sewer will service existing residents, churches and businesses, as well as potential development nearby.
“Basically, it fulfills a promise that was made 20 years ago,†Clifton said. “It’s something that was needed.â€
The project will be funded by the grant funds, bond monies and loans totaling more than $4 million.
The county will hold community meetings in coming months to discuss the status of the project and opportunities for public sewer connection.