The County water operation currently includes a Developer Program for the extension of water mains into new developments and subdivisions. This program is incentive-based, in that the County reimburses a portion of the developer's construction costs.

The County Commissioners decide whether to provide such incentives as a growth and development vehicle. Some other local governments in the area provide similar incentives, while others provide no incentives at all.

A developer is required to request the County's participation in a water line extension to serve a planned new development or subdivision. The request must include an approved plat map with an overlay of the proposed water line extension. In addition, an engineers report with an estimate of the daily amount of water that will be required to serve the development upon build-out must be provided.

Upon receipt of such a request, the Public Works staff reviews the proposed extension and requests any design and/or specification changes that are needed. The engineers report is checked against the County's hydraulic model of the distribution system to determine the impact of the proposed extension upon the overall system.

As water meters are sold and activated into service, the developer may request reimbursement of a portion of the tap fee. The current amount being reimbursed is $350.00 per lot/per activated meter.