Busiest Month for Development County Inspector Has Ever Seen

The national economy might be in a recession, but that’s not slowing rural development in Fayette County, at least not yet.

At last Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting, County Inspector Clint Sternadel said June was the busiest month he’s ever seen for septic inspections and development permits. Anyone building in the unincorporated areas of Fayette County must usually obtain permits from Sternadel’s office to comply with floodplain and wastewater regulations. Those permits provide a good indicator of construction activity around the County.

Sternadel said his office issued 37 new septic permits in June. That’s up from 27 the previous month. Sternadel said he conducted 38 septic inspections in June, compared to 20 in May. His office also handled 24 development permits in June, which was the same number as May. There were nine divisions of property in June, which was down slightly from 12 in May.

“We thought these numbers were up last month from what we consider normal, and they’ve gone up significantly again,” Sternadel said. “You would think with the current state of the economy, that would level off a little bit. But it’s the highest number of new permits and inspections that I’ve seen.”

County Judge Joe Weber raised a concern about all the new development causing a drain on groundwater resources in the County. Sternadel said his office does not regulate water wells. Instead, the Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District (FCGCD), oversees water well drilling in Fayette County. Weber asked Sternadel to arrange a meeting with officials with FCGCD to update the Commissioners Court about water development.

“What are we seeing with water wells as it relates to the growth and expansion we’re seeing?” Weber asked.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom spoke about a development underway in Rutersville.

“There’s no rural water there, so every two-acre lot will have a water well,” McBroom said.

Sternadel said the Rutersville development includes about 20 water wells on 40 acres.

“We just need to be aware of what’s going on,” Weber said. “Water is going to become the biggest issue for our whole state.”