Newton, North Newton talking after emergency sewer usage

North Newton was born as a city after a fight with Newton over sanitary sewer, and it seems like the sewage struggle has never really gone away.

However, there is an opportunity now — according to Newton City Staff — to negotiate a way to create a new agreement, after North Newton found themselves in a desperate situation during last week’s flooding event.

Hesston, apparently, shut down a pipeline between Hesston and North Newton.

North Newton proceeded to pump into the Newton system.

“We learned about this as they were doing it,” said Bob Myers, city manager for the city of Newton.

Newton City Staff was ready, having a meter ready and waiting to track how much was coming from North Newton.

Now, according to city staff, the two cities are negotiating what that event will cost — or if North Newton can and will start paying an annual fee for access to the Newton sewer system.

“I am confident we can get an agreement,” Myers said.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)