Green Valley residents voice concerns about new sewer pressure pumps

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Citizens living in the Green Valley Sanitary District have voiced concerns over a new sewer system, many are worried about the long-term effects it could have on their plumbing and wallets.

People living in the Green Valley Sanitary District are voicing their concerns over new sewer pressure pumps that could replace their current septic tanks. According to Green Valley Sanitary District President Scott Mohr, the reason he and the board are choosing to switch to the pump system is because of the cost. However, some residents are not so sure it would be beneficial.

“Residents are concerned because they don’t want it. The board has it in their head that they’re going to make us take it. It’ll be mandatory, everybody has to do it if this passes. It’s going to cost approximately $100 a month per resident for 40 years. It’s a big expense that they don’t want,” an anonymous resident said.

According to this resident, who asked to remain anonymous, the Green Valley Sanitary Board as well as Interstate Engineering have told homeowners they have failing or already failed septic systems. However, according to Pennington County’s records, there isn’t a single tank fitting that description. He says there is a real reason the board wants to switch to pumps.

“The county has also informed me that they know of no septic tanks that are leaking into the groundwater, so there’s another reason why we don’t have to have it. The biggest reason I see why we ‘have to have it’ is the board borrowed $200,000 and they’re trying to get this to go through so they don’t have to pay that themselves,” an anonymous resident said.

However, when asked, Mohr told us that the system some residents are pushing for was not affordable and could cost up to 25 million dollars. The anonymous resident says in conversations with his neighbors a majority of them are also worried about the proposed and unproven system and whether it can support the 280 residents who live in Green Valley. The citizens plan to voice their concerns at the next board meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

We reached out to Green Valley Sanitary District President Scott Mohr for an official statement but have not yet heard back.

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