Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
51 <br />Adv_anta~es that may be cited for the gravity collector network/central pump station system and <br />that are closely related to typical utility concerns include that such a system: <br />^ is of lower cost to construct <br />^ is a more conventional or standard utility design (and is thus more acceptable to state <br />regulatory agencies having system design approval authority) <br />^ is more reliable than other systems that could provide service in this particular situation <br />Disadvantages that may be cited for the gravity collector network/central pump station system <br />and that are closely related to typical utility concerns include that such a system: <br />^ represents significant operation/maintenance cost and liability to a utility <br />^ has a potential for larger (larger quantities of wastewater) spill failures with more severe <br />environmental and public health implications <br />Advanta~ that may be cited for the gravity collector network/central pump station system <br />and that are not closely related to typical utility concerns include that such a system: <br />^ is mare easily financed, managed and phased by an organization such Habitat for Humanity <br />^ has lower operating costs and maintenance/management responsibilities to fall on low <br />income homeowners or volunteer homeowner associations <br />^ has less impact on landscaping requirements at individual home sites <br />Disadvantages that may be cited for the gravity collector network/central pump station system <br />and that are not closely related to typical utility concerns include that such a system: <br />requires short response time (which Orange County, without a utility department cannot <br />ensure or guarantee) to emergency situations and for wastewater spill prevention or cleanup <br />at central pumping station, <br />may create potential difficulty for Orange County in terms of setting a precedent of <br />approving new developments made viable by pumping station-enabled sewer extensions <br />may create a circumstance where operating cost of providing service far a portion of the <br />customer base are spread across the entire customer base <br />Advantages thatmay be cited for the STEP system collector network and that are closely <br />related to typical utility concerns include that such a system: <br />^ is of lower cost to construct (that there is some divergence of opinion between staff and <br />Habitat's consultants as to relative construction costs for the two systems); <br />^ incurs operating costs that fall directly on service beneficiary and consequently costs less for <br />the utility to operate and maintain <br />^ has greater wastewater storage capacity in the events of widespread and extended power <br />outages, in excess of 72 hours to respond to mechanical or power failures <br />^ has less potential for major environmental impacts as a consequence of system failure(s) <br />