The following is a press release from the Town of Alpine. Mayor Green also touched on this during a recent interview on SVI Radio, which can be found by clicking here.

Town of Alpine – Background on Alpine Meadows Sewer Issues

The Town of Alpine is providing the following information to give residents and the public context regarding reported sewer line issues in the Alpine Meadows subdivision and the Town’s efforts to address them.

History of Sewer Ordinance Updates

The Town of Alpine has been discussing updates to its water and sewer ordinances for several years. Since Mayor Eric Green assumed office three years ago, revising these ordinances has been an ongoing priority due to unprecedented growth, aging infrastructure, evolving regulatory standards, and the need for clearer definitions of responsibility.

In 2024, Town staff began internal discussions regarding proposed ordinance language, including recommendations from Jorgensen Engineering. In May 2025, Jorgensen Engineering shared draft language with town staff. The ordinances were ultimately adopted at the end of 2025. The process spanned multiple years and was not initiated suddenly.

On September 2, 2025, the Town Council held a work session prior to the regular Council meeting to review the proposed utility ordinances.

Following continued internal staff review, the ordinances were brought back to Council for formal consideration. The first reading occurred on November 4, 2025, and the ordinances were approved on first reading. A second work session was held during the November 18, 2025 Council meeting, followed by approval on second reading later in the meeting. The ordinances
were discussed again during a work session at the December 2, 2025 meeting. Final approval occurred on December 16, 2025, following passage on third reading.

Infrastructure Background

It is important to note that the sewer infrastructure in question within Alpine Meadows was installed prior to the subdivision’s annexation into the Town of Alpine in June 2018. The Town did not design or construct this infrastructure, nor was it obligated to inspect this infrastructure as it was not within the Town’s incorporated limits.

Discovery of the Alpine Meadows Sewer Issue

On November 10, 2025, the Town of Alpine was notified of a reported sewer blockage at a property in the Alpine Meadows subdivision. Town staff responded the same day by inspecting
the Town’s sewer system and lifting nearby manholes. Staff confirmed that the Town’s main sewer line was functioning properly and was not plugged. The property owner was advised that the issue appeared to be within the sewer lateral and that the property owner would need to hire a plumber.

On November 11, 2025, the property owner hired a licensed plumber to inspect the sewer lateral. Following a camera inspection, the plumber informed the property owner that the sewer stub was
not connected to the Town’s main sewer line. The property owner then relayed this information to Town staff.

On November 12, 2025, the Town coordinated with its excavation contractor to expose the connection. The sewer line was excavated, properly connected to the main, and repaired at no cost to the homeowner.

Next Steps and Ongoing Evaluation

After the repair was completed, town staff notified Mayor Green that similar sewer connection issues have occurred intermittently within Alpine Meadows. Based on this information, Mayor Green determined that a broader evaluation was necessary to understand the full scope of the issue.

In mid-November 2025, the Mayor instructed Town staff to investigate the cost to televise all sewer mains and laterals within Alpine Meadows to the edge of the roadway to determine whether additional properties may be improperly connected. Bids have been received, and work to televise the sewer mains and laterals is scheduled to begin on February 16, 2026.

Responsibility and Collaboration

Recent ordinance updates clarify that homeowners are responsible for sewer infrastructure from their residence to the point where it connects to the Town’s main sewer line. This is not an uncommon practice and has been adopted by other municipalities in the state of Wyoming. The Town understands that this clarification has raised concerns among residents and is actively
listening to feedback from the community.

Commitment Moving Forward

The Town of Alpine recognizes the seriousness of this issue and is committed to finding a practical resolution. The incident has been reported to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Town is working with DEQ to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

The Town of Alpine’s first priority is to televise the sewer mains and laterals serving currently occupied homes in Alpine Meadows in order to determine whether all homes’ laterals are connected to the sewer system. Upon completion of this step, the Town will address any confirmed lateral connection issues. If the televising process identifies additional or more widespread problems, the Town will develop a plan to address deficiencies and ensure that future sewer connections are properly installed.

While progress may take time due to regulatory and logistical considerations, the Town is working to remedy the problem and will continue to communicate updates as they become available.