Columbia aldermen on Sept. 6 raised substantive questions about the county’s version of a contract to accept and treat raw sewage from Tyrrell County’s proposed sewer service to Goat Neck and lower Soundside communities.

“I don’t see any advantage to the town,” said alderman James Cahoon. “Our excess sewer capacity is here as an enticement to industries and businesses.”

Town manager Rhett White explained that the wastewater treatment plant has a state permit for 600,000 gallons daily but is physically capable of treating 900,000 gallons daily. “And there’s ample land [at the North Road Street site] to expand,” he added.

Mayor Michael Griffin pointed out that the proposed 17 homes in Goat Neck to be served by the county project represent less than one percent of the town’s treatment capability.

About five years ago the town promised to aid the county in situations where septic tanks are failing, White reminded.

“Where do we want growth?” he asked.

White then suggested that the town would not want to own the rural pipeline the county intends to install.

“Can we limit the county’s use?” he asked, thus putting a cap on the number of users the county could connect to the 12 miles of pipe to be installed beside Fort Landing, Sound Side and New roads between Goat Neck and Columbia’s wastewater treatment plant.

He suggested metering the line and requiring the county to furnish copies of individual water bills of properties connected to the proposed sewer system to ensure accurate volume measurements.

White and town attorney Dwight Wheless were directed to rewrite the proposed contract and submit it to the aldermen for further discussion on Oct. 3.