A Glens Falls resident raised concerns Nov. 3 after receiving a higher sewer bill following the installation of a private irrigation system, prompting board discussion of options and communication steps.

The resident, identified in the meeting as Mr. Drews, called the office after installing an irrigation system and said he was “a little surprised” by the bill and “didn't understand why he's gotta get a sewer” charge for irrigation, according to staff remarks in the meeting. Board staff advised that Mr. Drews may submit a written appeal to the Water and Sewer Board and that the matter can be taken up at the board's Nov. 17 special workshop on rates and budget items.

Board staff and members explained why separate sewer metering for irrigation is difficult to implement at scale: installing a separate service off the main can be “crazy expensive,” would require periodic inspections to prevent illicit connections and would create enforcement and monitoring burdens, staff said. The board noted that some property owners use individual wells for irrigation and that properties with two meters (one for irrigation pumps) already exist, but that routine inspection and enforcement would add cost and administrative work.

Board discussion emphasized customer education as a near-term remedy. Members said many customers do not understand how sewer charges and water usage are linked and suggested clearer guidance on the city's website, targeted mailers or emails to new homeowners, and answers to frequently asked questions about billing and meter configurations. One board member said monthly billing would improve clarity but noted an estimated annual system cost increase of about $6,070,000 to switch billing cadence, a figure cited in the meeting.

The board directed staff to notify Mr. Drews of the Nov. 17 workshop and to include the billing question in materials the board will review. No formal vote was taken on the individual billing complaint at the Nov. 3 meeting.

The board also discussed permitting and construction practices, noting that sidewalk or right-of-way work would typically require permits while work entirely on private property (for instance, a sprinkler system) may not; the board recommended clarifying permitting guidance for plumbing and irrigation work on the city's public information pages.

The discussion closed with agreement to provide clearer public information and to handle the individual appeal through the written-appeal process and the Nov. 17 workshop.