Who is Going to Provide Sewer Service in Carriage Trails 2.0?

Tri-Cities Wastewater is asking for approval to provide service to newly annexed areas

On Thursday, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) will host a virtual public meeting to discuss proposed changes to the Facility Planning Area (FPA) boundaries in Miami County. While wastewater treatment planning may not seem like the most riveting topic, this meeting addresses critical infrastructure decisions that will impact the growing Carriage Trails development in Huber Heights, recently annexed into Bethel Township. You can learn more about the meeting here.

The Tri-Cities North Regional Wastewater Authority (TCA), which manages wastewater for Huber Heights, Tipp City, and Vandalia, has requested an amendment to the FPA boundaries to serve the annexed Carriage Trails area. This request follows Miami County’s decision not to provide sewer services to the development. The TCA’s proposal seeks to connect the new area to its existing system through lift stations and gravity lines, ensuring adequate wastewater management for current and future residents.

Carriage Trails is a rapidly expanding residential neighborhood that has grown into Bethel Township as part of Huber Heights. However, the newly annexed section lacks direct access to sewer infrastructure. This publication has talked about some of the utility issues with this annexation in the past.

The closest connection point is within TCA’s treatment area, which already serves the original Carriage Trails property located just south of the new development. To address this gap, TCA plans to install lift stations at Senna Street and Carriage Trails Parkway. These stations will handle immediate wastewater needs while accommodating future growth as more homes are built.

The proposal outlines a phased approach to managing wastewater in the annexed area. Initially, 122 homes will connect via a temporary gravity line leading to an existing lift station at Brandt Pike. A capacity test has confirmed that this station can handle the temporary addition. As development continues, additional lift stations will be constructed to support new homes and redirect flow from temporary connections. By 2029, when upgrades to TCA’s North Regional Treatment Plant are completed, 275 homes are expected to be connected.

The North Regional Treatment Plant is undergoing significant improvements to prepare for projected growth across Huber Heights, Tipp City, and Vandalia. These upgrades include increasing hydraulic capacity from 11.2 million gallons per day (MGD) to 17.3 MGD by 2029—a 54% increase designed to meet rising demand. The modernization project also includes enhanced biological treatment systems and stricter compliance with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency standards. A $7 million loan has been secured for planning and design work, with construction slated for completion by 2029.

Population growth projections underscore the urgency of these changes. By 2040, TCA anticipates its service area population will grow from about 69,000 to 85,000—a 22% increase driven largely by residential expansion in Huber Heights. This growth is expected to push wastewater flow beyond current plant capacity by 2024, making timely upgrades essential.

Miami County’s decision not to provide sewer services has complicated planning efforts for Carriage Trails. Initially, both Bethel Township and Miami County intended to manage wastewater for the area, as reflected in a May 2022 update designating it under Miami County’s FPA jurisdiction. However, Miami County later reversed its position due to concerns about infrastructure limitations and capacity constraints; there was no conceivable way the county could handle wastewater infrastructure at a housing density of seven units per acre. This left developers and Huber Heights seeking alternative solutions through TCA.

The proposed FPA amendment aligns with broader regional planning goals by supporting sustainable growth in Huber Heights while protecting critical water resources. Construction plans emphasize minimizing environmental impact by using existing infrastructure wherever possible and employing horizontal directional drilling techniques for new installations. All activities will adhere to EPA regulations and stormwater pollution prevention protocols.

Public participation is central to this process. The MVRPC meeting on Thursday provides an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to learn about FPAs and review the proposed updates. Attendees can comment on the amendment and ask questions about its implications for regional growth and infrastructure development.

While approval of the amendment seems likely given Miami County’s withdrawal from service provision, this situation highlights broader issues surrounding annexation practices and rural-urban dynamics. Facility Planning Areas were once viewed as firm boundaries that provided clarity on infrastructure responsibilities. However, aggressive annexation strategies by suburban communities like Huber Heights have eroded these conventions, leaving rural areas vulnerable.

This case illustrates how urban expansion can strain rural infrastructure and disrupt established planning frameworks. As suburban developments push into rural areas under lax annexation laws, they often leave behind more challenges than benefits for neighboring communities.

Ultimately, discussions like Thursday’s meeting are essential for balancing growth with sustainability and fairness across regions. While wastewater planning may not grab headlines, it plays a crucial role in shaping how communities grow—and how they coexist with their neighbors over time.

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