Wastewater Feasibility Study - Jericho Village Centers and Commercial District
The Town of Jericho is exploring options for the infrastructure needed to support existing development and catalyze growth in the designated Village Centers (Jericho Corners, Riverside/Underhill Flats, and Jericho Center) and the Commercial District. This will help create vibrant, walkable and mixed use development in those areas.
One of the key features required for progress is a public wastewater system. To that, end the town is working with Dubois and King to do a Wastewater Feasibility Study. This study will evaluate the needs, identify potential system capacity, and consider the feasibility of providing wastewater service to those areas.
Why invest in a wastewater system?
Jericho residents have indicated through numerous surveys conducted by the Planning Commission that they see affordable and diverse types of housing and new business growth as priorities for the community. Having wastewater infrastructure in place reduces the costs for developers to build, allows continued use or conversion of use for existing buildings, and supports our village neighborhoods and public buildings to avoid costly septic failures and ensures their future vitality for the benefit of all residents. Providing environmentally sound on-site wastewater disposal is the single most important step any property owner or community can take to ensure the viability of their building, and to protect public and environmental health. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns has a page describing the benefits of water and wastewater projects and resources for funding.
Wastewater disposal and potable water supply are governed and controlled by State statutes and rules established by the Agency of Natural Resources. Almost all changes in land use and expansions of existing uses to provide food service, add restaurant seats, add a bedroom or an apartment, requires a wastewater permit. These opportunities may be limited if the existing on-site system does not meet standards or cannot be upgraded or is cost prohibitive for the owner.
The Town of Jericho is exploring options for the infrastructure needed to support existing development and catalyze growth in the designated Village Centers (Jericho Corners, Riverside/Underhill Flats, and Jericho Center) and the Commercial District. This will help create vibrant, walkable and mixed use development in those areas.
One of the key features required for progress is a public wastewater system. To that, end the town is working with Dubois and King to do a Wastewater Feasibility Study. This study will evaluate the needs, identify potential system capacity, and consider the feasibility of providing wastewater service to those areas.
Why invest in a wastewater system?
Jericho residents have indicated through numerous surveys conducted by the Planning Commission that they see affordable and diverse types of housing and new business growth as priorities for the community. Having wastewater infrastructure in place reduces the costs for developers to build, allows continued use or conversion of use for existing buildings, and supports our village neighborhoods and public buildings to avoid costly septic failures and ensures their future vitality for the benefit of all residents. Providing environmentally sound on-site wastewater disposal is the single most important step any property owner or community can take to ensure the viability of their building, and to protect public and environmental health. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns has a page describing the benefits of water and wastewater projects and resources for funding.
Wastewater disposal and potable water supply are governed and controlled by State statutes and rules established by the Agency of Natural Resources. Almost all changes in land use and expansions of existing uses to provide food service, add restaurant seats, add a bedroom or an apartment, requires a wastewater permit. These opportunities may be limited if the existing on-site system does not meet standards or cannot be upgraded or is cost prohibitive for the owner.
There will be community meetings held in May 2024 to update residents on the progress of this study. All meetings will be held at Town Hall (67 VT Route 15) as well as via Zoom (link to be posted on this page when available). Please click the image of the flyer below for details about these meetings.
This first map below shows the delineation of the study area parcels in Riverside and the Commercial District and the associated Zoning districts.
This next map below shows approximate ages of septic systems on parcels in the study area. Ages of systems are either assumed based on publicly available information or reported by property owners who responded to a survey conducted by Dubois & King in early 2023.
This map below shows the potential suitability of soils for septic and potential environmental constraints in the study area parcels.
This first map below shows the delineation of the study area parcels in Jericho Center and the associated Zoning districts.
This next map below shows approximate ages of septic systems on parcels in the study area. Ages of systems are either assumed based on publicly available information or reported by property owners who responded to a survey conducted by Dubois & King in early 2023.
This map below shows the potential suitability of soils for septic and potential environmental constraints in the study area parcels.
This first map below shows the delineation of the study area parcels in Jericho Corners and the associated Zoning districts.
This next map below shows approximate ages of septic systems on parcels in the study area. Ages of systems are either assumed based on publicly available information or reported by property owners who responded to a survey conducted by Dubois & King in early 2023.
This map below shows the potential suitability of soils for septic and potential environmental constraints in the study area parcels.
Page last updated: 15 Oct 2024, 01:28 PM
Upcoming Meetings
Timeline
Survey sent to residents and property owners within the study areas
Wastewater Feasibility Study - Jericho Village Centers and Commercial District has finished this stage
Needs Assessment and Identification of Alternatives
Wastewater Feasibility Study - Jericho Village Centers and Commercial District has finished this stage
DuBois & King will assess the need for community septic systems in the Villages and Commercial District. They will also identify potential sites that could serve as community septic locations.
Public meetings will be held to present alternatives for systems to serve each geographic area in the study.
Public Meetings
Wastewater Feasibility Study - Jericho Village Centers and Commercial District is currently at this stage
What will I learn at these meetings?
Work completed on the study so far
Results of a property owner survey
Assessment of community need
Suitability of soils near the villages for wastewater disposal
Potential options for wastewater facilities in each village area
May 1st: Jericho Center - 6pm (Town Hall and Zoom)
May 9th: Jericho Corners - 6pm (Town Hall and Zoom)
May 15th: Riverside/Underhill Flats & Commercial District - 6pm (Town Hall and Zoom)
Selectboard Consideration
this is an upcoming stage for Wastewater Feasibility Study - Jericho Village Centers and Commercial District
Once the study is complete, the Selectboard will consider recommendation(s) of the study and may select one or more options to advance to the next phase that is design/engineering. If the project advances from that phase, the final phase will include a bond vote, organizational development of a municipal utility, and construction of one or more systems.