Nelsonville auditor says pool fill-ups count toward sewer use; council moves to bar credits

Nelsonville officials discussed resident requests about sewer credits for private pool fill-ups and voted to send a resolution to the full council that would prohibit the city manager from issuing such credits. The town auditor explained that sewer charges are assessed on the basis of water-meter usage and that water supplied by neighboring utilities can still trigger sewer charges in Nelsonville.

Mr. Elkins, identified in the meeting as the town auditor, told officials the recurring request he has received is that residents "should not have to pay the increased sewer cost just for filling their pool." He explained Nelsonville does not meter sewer flow directly and instead bases sewer billing on water-meter readings. In cases where residents receive water from another utility, Mr. Elkins said that utility provides meter readings to Nelsonville so the town can bill for sewer service.

Officials used a Carbon Hill example to illustrate the arrangement: when a resident on Carbon Hill water fills a pool, Carbon Hill supplies meter data to Nelsonville so the town may assess sewer charges. "It doesn't matter if the water is coming from us or not because we're the ones who do the sewer," Mr. Elkins said.

Speakers noted legal and public-safety limits on how pool water may be disposed. A council speaker cautioned that deliberately diverting chemically treated pool water into streets or yards to avoid treatment would be a violation and a public-safety concern. The meeting record includes an explicit reference to ORC as a relevant regulatory framework for pool enclosures and related requirements.

During the discussion a motion was proposed to advance a resolution to the full council that would bar the city manager from granting sewer credits tied to pool fill-ups in Nelsonville going forward. The motion was seconded and the assembly voiced approval; the clerk was instructed to enter two letters from residents (from McCray Powell and Charlotte Beach) into the record. The transcript records the council advancing the motion to a full-council vote; the mover is named in the discussion as Mr. Cameron and the second is not specified in the transcript.

Council members also reminded residents that pool safety and permitting rules apply. Officials said pools taller than 42 inches generally require a locked fence and that some temporary or above-ground pools may require a permit; residents were urged to check permit requirements before purchasing or installing a pool.

The meeting closed at 6:06 p.m. The next formal step recorded in the meeting was to place the proposed resolution on the full council's agenda for a future vote and to include the submitted resident letters in the meeting record.