SUNRIVER, OR -- South County residents have an opportunity to share opinons on whether a community sewer system should be approved. Deschutes County, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Land Conservation and Development will hold several community meetings over the next couple of weeks. 

Wastewater Specialist Bob Baggett will answer questions at the meetings. "This was actually one of the recommendations that came out of the South County Steering Committee a few years ago. They met for three years, looking at solutions for the groundwater contamination problem down there."  That contamination problem comes from some of the septic systems in the area. Currently, sewer systems are not allowed in unincorporated partss of the county; the region would need to get a state exception. Deschutes County Commissioners are expected to consider the issue later this summer.

The first of a series of open house meetings is today at Sunriver's SHARC facility, from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.  Another is scheduled for April 30th at the La Pine Senior Center.