Assistant County Attorney Mike Carter told the county Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority board on Wednesday that the county has been asked to bail out the Windstone community in its sewage woes. But attorney Carter said it would be too costly and unfair to WWTA customers as a whole.
He said the estimated cost would be a $3.6 million buyout of sewage treatment system owner David Hammel Jr. and a $2.4 million expense for upgrading the system.
Attorney Carter said County Mayor Claude Ramsey told Windstone officials at a recent meeting the county "could not justify charging the many for the mistakes of the few."
The cost of taking on the Windstone project would have to be spread over WWTA customers system-wide, he said.
Attorney Carter said Windstone officials have asked "that the county condemn the sewer system and take it over." He said Mr. Ramsey "strongly objected to that."
Though the East Brainerd neighborhood that spills over into Georgia is in the WWTA's service area, the WWTA board voted in December 2008 against taking over the problem-riddled system.
WWTA board member Wayne Hamill said the system was oversized at the time Windstone was known as Fountaingate. He said at the time it was envisioned the development would include a hotel, resort facilities and a church. But he said only a residential area was built.
He said the sewage tank at Windstone is so large that it gets inadequately pumped and it quickly turns septic. That causes significant odor problems, including at the point where it is piped to city of Chattanooga lines.
The city, which currently accepts the Windstone effluent for treatment at the Moccasin Bend facility, is preparing to file suit against Mr. Hammel and his Rainbro firm.