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York County, Virginia

Minimizing the cost of installing sewer infrastructure is usually the primary goal of any public entity. Sometimes the cost savings is less important than the value it creates. York County, Virginia is happy to achieve both.

Communities in York Country are enjoying a real estate boom thanks to their investment in vacuum sewer technology by AIRVAC. Property values have increased, more than 200 lots that formerly were “unbuildable” due to sewer problems now have homes on them, and more land is available for development.

“There have been a lot of intrinsic benefits associated with our new wastewater systems,” explained Mark Swilley, an engineer with the York County Department of Environmental and Development Studies. “The neighborhoods are nicer because you don't have odors and puddles from septic systems, and the toilets no longer back up into the bath tubs. The prevailing thought around here is that the investment in new wastewater systems was money well spent.”

York County installed its first AIRVAC sewer system in the early 1990s. There are now 12 separate vacuum sewer systems in seven different communities in York County.

“A lot of residents in this area were skeptical of vacuum sewers at first,” said Jim Tobler, Project Manager for York County's Division of Ultilities. “Now they realize that with vacuum sewers, there are a lot fewer sewer problems. Vacuum systems are easier to install than gravity systems and are less expensive. The homeowners we've spoken with seem to like the vacuum system very much.”

This article appeared in the October, 2004 issue of Government Engineering. If you would like to read the entire story as it appeared in the magazine, you can download a pdf, or you may request hard copies.

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