EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Eagle Mountain residents may not have to take turns flushing the toilet, but several City Council members voiced concern Tuesday over the sewer's capacity as they approved a $16.5 million bond to expand the city's sewer and water systems.

City spokeswoman Linda Petersen said city officials received e-mails expressing concern over an "offhand" comment made by Councilman Vincent Liddiard two weeks ago. Liddiard reportedly said Eagle Mountain residents "would have to take turns flushing the toilet."

"When people hear that they go into panic mode," she said.

Petersen said city officials haven't experienced an enormous public outcry. Chris Kemp, a resident of Eagle Mountain, said sewer capacity has been an issue since he moved to the city nine years ago, but he doesn't think it's a crisis.

"It's just a function of growing fast," he said. "You've got to have a lot of money to build a permanent (sewer) plant."

Despite the response, city officials made extra effort to update local residents about progress on the new sewer facility.

Mayor Don Richardson issued his weekly newsletter at the City Council meeting Tuesday night and included a section about the sewer. He wrote city officials have worked with state engineers on plans to upgrade the existing south service-area sewer plant over the past four months.

But consulting engineers said Tuesday night the city needs to focus on plans for a new sewer facility that will increase capacity and address the issue of long-term growth.

"You're in a very dangerous situation," said Edward Macauley, a construction assistant section manager with the state of Utah. "So stay focused on the main objective."

Councilwoman Heather Jackson said the sewer discussion predates her tenure as a city official and she's ready to see action taken.

"It feels like it's taking a ridiculously long time," she said. "We are in desperate need here."

Daryl Dickson, a consulting engineer from StarTech, told the council, "It's our intent to push this (plan) through as fast as possible."

City engineer Chris Trusty said the plans will be completed for city approval by Aug. 21. Council member David Blackburn expressed anxiousness to get the project under way.

"We could send some reminders to you," he joked. "Maybe five gallons or 10 gallons a day. You know, just the solids."

Liddiard said he made that "poignant" statement because the city sewer system needs to be increased to meet the demands of a rapidly growing city. He also said he felt his comments got the ball rolling on an important issue.

"I think it should continue to be an issue until it is resolved," he said.

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