The village of South Mills in northern Camden County is on the cusp of something special.

Nearly 70 homes on small lots — many of which have had failing septic systems for decades — are on target to hook up to a public sewer system. When this happens, a public health threat will have been eliminated.

By last Friday’s deadline, 69 residents in the service area and another 20 on the project’s fringes had agreed to the hookups in order to make the first phase of the $1.6 million project — funded with state grants and local funds — possible.

The only question now is whether the $1.6 million can cover the extra properties requesting free sewer connections.

“We can’t go over the funding that has been provided,” said project engineer Todd Tripp.

He noted the county could possibly petition the state for more grant money if the funds fall short. The project is mostly funded through grants from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the N.C. Rural Center.

Meanwhile, plans call for construction to start this October, with sewer lines to be installed along the village’s streets and connect to the homes.

Because of the additional interest, the original project area of Main Street between Jones Avenue and Canal Street and to Elliott Drive, including Spencer Avenue, Bloodfield Road and Community Drive, may be expanded to include McBride Road.

Hookups to the county wastewater system, which would typically cost $10,000 to $15,000 each, are being offered to homeowners for free.

Who could refuse?

But some homeowners had reservations about costs beyond the hookups. While the hookup is free, upgrading an older house with the proper electricity and plumbing to accommodate the service could cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars each.

“I think everybody would do it because it’s a great deal, but they are afraid of the electrical (upgrade cost),” Tripp said when residents were first asked to participate.

County officials have said Camden will assist homeowners who need electrical connections, but homeowners do have to pay for upgrades to their private electrical panels, Tripp said. He estimated most homeowners would have to pay between $1,500 and $2,000 for the adjustment.

Once connected, residents should see monthly bills for sewer services of about $30, roughly the same as the water bill, according to a rate schedule given to residents.

“That’s doable,” said Dolly McCoy of Community Drive, who has lived in South Mills more than 50 years but had initial reservations about cost.

We’re not sure how the county can help residents who need plumbing and electrical upgrades.

But we hope Camden continues to meet its deadlines for this first phase of the project, which is far enough along now that it’s no longer a question of if public sewers should be built for South Mills. It’s a question of when.

Many failing septic systems and tanks that have long outlived their effectiveness. They’ve cracked, overflowed and spilled raw sewage onto lawns and streets. It’s been a public health hazard at times.

Now, relief is finally within sight.