Freeland property owners could find out as soon as next spring how much a sewer system will cost them. The Freeland Water District is moving ahead with plans for a feasibility study of a new sewer system in Freeland’s busy business core.

Freeland water commissioners approved a plan Monday to begin the search for a consulting firm to help determine the costs to build a sewer system, as well as a way to pay for it.

“The plan is starting to gain momentum,” said Gary Hess, an engineer with Eric Davido Engineers, the water district’s engineering firm.

“This is what we wanted to see,” he said.

Hess said he expects the water commissioners to complete the selection process for a consulting firm by mid-October.

“My guess is the study would wrap up sometime next spring,” Hess said.

Funds for the study were raised by the Freeland Chamber of Commerce. The chamber worked with nearly 100 property owners in the business core to get money for the study, and chamber officials are happy to see some forward momentum.

“I am ecstatic,” said Chet Ross, who headed the $60,000 fundraising effort for the chamber two years ago.

“We will finally have answers to some of the financial questions,” he said.

Once the financial study is complete, and if the sewer system pencils out, Freeland property owners will decide if they want to push forward with a sewer system.

“It will be up to them at that point,” Ross said.

“When we began raising money for the feasibility study there were 99 property owners in the business core. Now through sales and acquisitions there are 95,” he said.

For Phase I, the sewer system must be supported by property owners in Freeland who own 60 percent of the assessed property value in the area to be served by sewers. Property owners who own the most valuable land will carry more sway in the decision.

The feasibility study will include costs connected to building the sewer system, as well as a breakdown of public funding or other grants that may be available to help pay for the sewage-treatment system.

Officials hope that grant funding will be available from the state because of the recent closure of Freeland Beach and the shutdown of the commercial and recreational shellfish harvest.

The state Department of Health ordered the closure after discovering high levels of the bacteria fecal coliform in the southern most tip of Holmes Harbor. Sources of the pollution may be stormwater run-off or on-site septic systems.

If there is sufficient support for the sewer pro-

ject, the water district and consultant team will formulate an implementation plan, develop a customer involvement program and form an administrative committee for a local improvement district to guide the project.

Phase I of the Freeland Sewer Plan includes the main business core of Freeland from Highway 525 and Scott Road to Cameron Road. It includes Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Inc., Freeland’s largest employer.