For houses with less than perfect septic systems, opting in to water may provide better septic options.
The same goes for those with less than optimal water systems -- taking septic out of the equation may improve water options.
For anyone with property that may potentially be developed, it may make sense to purchase some water and septic "futures." Remember that Waitsfield is about to pass sweeping new zoning for Irasville which provides density bonuses that could result in increased development in that district. That new zoning calls for residential development to be balanced with commercial development and will absolutely need some of that potential water and sewer capacity.
Right now there is not a limit on the amount of water that is available, but there's a finite amount of sewer capacity available. The town owns a piece of property capable of handling over 80,000 gallons with a treatment facility, or 18,000 gallons a day without treatment.
The town has rightly been focusing its energy on getting these systems planned, permitted and before voters. The discussion of who gets how much septic capacity has not been finished. It's an important discussion that needs to be had. Planners needs to consider how to balance new development with existing need, how much of the capacity should go to residential development and how much to commercial, and should any go to affordable housing? Can people with a pocketful of cash pre-buy up all the capacity? Can people pre-buy hundreds of gallons of water?
Utilities are commodities as well as tools to serve the public. As voters and property owners educate themselves about these proposals, the discussion of how to allocate these resources must begin.
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