Soaring costs upend sewer work estimates

by Tom Chillemi –

The latest estimates for wastewater collection systems that Middlesex County will pay for in four areas indicate the total cost at $41 million, according to figures from consultant Timmons Group that were presented to the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors at its Dec. 6 regular monthly meeting.

Deltaville alone would cost $28 million. Topping, which is already being designed, would be $3.7 million. Saluda is estimated at $3 million. Hartfield is estimated at $1.8 million. These estimates include costs for design, easement acquisition, and construction. These are the median estimates “plus or minus 20%,” Ken Turner of Timmons told the MCBS. Construction estimate costs alone for all projects total $31 million, the rest … is for engineering, design and easement acquisition.

(A hypothetical 20% increase in contruction costs would raise that cost for Deltaville to $37 million.)

It has not been determined what the cost will be to hook up to sewer service.
Timmons projected the minimum connection fee or $10,000 for a 3/4-inch line. The smallest pipe size connection fee is the same for Gloucester and West Point. Mathews and King William counties lowest connection fee is $12,000.

Earlier studies

The latest total cost for Deltaville is close to the $32 million estimate made in a 2019 study done for Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), which would only use a “vacuum” system which is more costly…