Raleigh sticking to disposal ban

After a public outcry, several members who voted for it have second thoughts, but a majority oppose repeal

RALEIGH -- Several City Council members who voted last week to ban the installation of new garbage disposals now say that decision should be reviewed.

But despite a public outcry over the ban and the way it was enacted, a majority of council members appear unwilling to repeal the ordinance, which is scheduled to take effect Monday.

"I have not changed my position," Councilwoman Mary-Ann Baldwin said. "I think it may be wise to revisit this in six months to see if it's having the desired effect."

Councilmen Rodger Koopman and Russ Stephenson say they have each done their own research to find out whether other cities have banned food grinders.

"I thought we were operating according to accepted and best practices and then found out after the vote we're the only people banning these things," said Stephenson, who called the chief plumbing inspector for the city of Denver this week.

Denver used to require new homes to have garbage disposals, but discontinued the practice in 2004. Stephenson would like to keep the ban in place while city staff members review how other municipalities have tried to prevent sewer overflows.

When the council meets Tuesday, Councilman Philip Isley, who missed the vote last week, said he will ask that it not be enforced until a public hearing is held.

The uproar over the garbage disposal ban has caught many council members by surprise. The council unanimously approved the ban with little discussion after City Manager Russell Allen said it would prevent sewer overflows by reducing the amount of grease that people pour down their drains.

"I don't think the council perceived this as being of great interest to the public," Mayor Charles Meeker said. He said the ban will save water and reduce the city's discharge of nitrogen into the Neuse River.

Several council members complain that they didn't get enough information from city staff before the vote. "I'm not entirely happy with how this was managed," Koopman said. He supports repealing the ban while it is being reviewed.