The city of Kirkland is aggressively replacing a on-site sewer systems (OSS) with their city limits. In Kirkland, there are many properties dependent upon septic systems, many of which are aged and failing. Septic systems are intended to be a short-term solution for handling wastewater with an expected life of roughly 30 years. In order to provide long-term benefits of sanitary sewer to hazardous septic system situations, the City developed the Emergency Sewer Program in 1999.
Each project is a 2 year project. The areas benefiting from the program are determined by responses from a survey that is mailed to all properties served by a private septic system. The 2007 program is mostly centered around homes in the Rose Hill areas.
The city of Kirkland fronts the costs for new sewer mains, and then assesses each affective homeowner their share. The share for each homeowner for the 2007 project will be roughly $17,000.00. Each affected homeowner must begin to reimburse the City within 10-20 years after construction completion and an ESP loan can be obtain from the City. A lien is placed on the property by the City, and at the close of any sale, the lien will be satisfied. It's important to note that the property owner also must pay costs associated with hooking up to the sewer main.
What this means to property owners:
If your property is serviced by an on-site system and you are not included in the 2007 Project, you should begin to communicate at once with the Public Works Department of the City of Kirkland. The next project and funding will be for 2009. Each 2 year project gets progressively more costly. If your OSS system fails in the meantime, King County has very strict rules regarding whether they will allow a new system or force you to abandon your existing system and hook to City Sewers extending them at your costs. This issue is also a material fact in regards to a future purchaser because it affects the value of the property and land, so you must disclose your status to a future Buyer.
What this means to a potential Buyer:
King County records are not always accurate when they state whether or not a property is serviced by sewer or septic. Particularly in all older neighborhoods, you need to check with the City of Kirkland and/or King County Health department to determine how the property is serviced. The preliminary title report should be carefully screened for the City lien. Important! You must also determine that the house has been hooked up to the sewer and septic tank decommissioned, otherwise this could represent a large, future expense.
What this means to Sellers:
Again, be sure to disclose your status on your Seller's disclosure form that you will supply your buyer. Remember, that if you have been a participant in a City of Kirkland Emergency Sewer Program, you will have a lien against your property. Be sure to factor that lien against your Seller's net proceeds.
To see more information, click on this link to the City of Kirkland website:
http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/Public_Works/Capital_Improvements/Emergency_Sewer_Program.htm
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