NEW: Watertown City Council passes new $125 per season sump pump variance fee  (Audio)

November 2, 2020
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Last winter season, 515 Watertown residents were granted variances that allowed them to discharge clear water from their sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system, and they did so at zero cost.

Those days will be over in the winter of 2021-22.

The Watertown City Council approved a resolution at their Monday night meeting that includes a $125 per season fee for the sump pump variance. Additionally, there will be a $25 application fee.

The bottom line is beginning next October, getting a sump pump variance in Watertown will cost a homeowner $150 a season, which runs from mid-October to mid-March.

Councilman Ried Holien felt the fee was too high, so he suggested it be reduced to $50 a season…

But Councilman Don Roby says $50 isn’t enough…

Holien’s motion for a $50 fee failed on a 6-2 vote. He and Councilman Dan Albertsen were the only ones supporting it.

The council then passed the $125 fee, which takes effect in October 2021.