Residents Express Concern About Proposed Sewer Replacement

Officials Say Plan Would Stop Erosion, Upgrade Sewer Line

Updated: 1:25 pm CDT July 21,2009

MADISON, Wis. -- A city maintenance plan has some neighborhood residents expressing concern about changes in their backyard ravine.

A gulley spans about a block, from Owen Drive to Midvale Boulevard, on the east and west, and runs between houses on Upland and Hillcrest drives. The proposed upgrade would improve erosion and sewer systems, but some residents like Mary Neuendorf said that they’re worried about what might happen to their backyards.

"I grew up here, went to high school here and the whole routine," Neuendorf said. "We moved here in 1951 and this has always been the focal point of anyone that lived on Hillcrest."

Neuendorf and her neighbors, like Mary Ann Test, are concerned about the city's proposal to replace the 80-year-old sanitary sewer and fix erosion problems in the ravine.

"We think there are much less intrusive ways of dealing with erosion than putting in this expensive, pipe filling up the whole ravine," said Test.

Department of Public Works principal engineer Mike Dailey said this erosion problem will not go away, and it’s just a matter of time before the sewer gives out.

"It would make no sense to improve the erosion problem without addressing the sanitary sewer long term," Dailey said.

He said the changes to the area will be disguised to maintain the area's aesthetic value. Although a gravel path will be added, it will be covered with topsoil and seed to hide it.

Residents said that they’re not only worried about what will happen to the aesthetics of the area, but also the condition of the trees along the ravine.

"It will really change the whole nature of the ravine. Some of these trees are 100 years old and just beautiful," said Test.

Dailey said without the proposed changes, erosion might kill more trees in the ravine. The plan will route the storm and sanitary pipes as efficiently as possible, hoping to minimize the loss of good trees, removing dead and dying ones.

Residents said that they’re still unhappy that their backyards might soon change.

"The whole reason that we bought this property is because of this gorgeous ravine," Test said.

The Department of Public Works said the project will not begin for at least a year, and is expected to cost between $100,000 and $200,000. The city will hold a public meeting to address residents' concerns in late August or early September.