Cape Girardeau city staff three years ago badly underestimated the cost of providing sewers to the Twin Lakes subdivision.

The city now says Twin Lakes residents would pay an estimated $8,790 an acre for lateral sewers, or more than double the original estimate of $3,424 an acre given in August 1992.

"There were some corners cut in the original estimate and it has come back to haunt us," said Ken Eftink, the city's development services coordinator.

Eftink met with about 70 Twin Lakes residents Tuesday night at Trinity Lutheran School.

Many of the residents questioned how sewer cost estimates could have climbed so dramatically for the 90-home subdivision along Hopper Road, west of Interstate 55.

They pointed out that the city's estimate on water service was much more accurate. Three years ago, the city staff estimated property owners would pay $1,867 an acre to get city water.

Today, the estimate is $1,905 an acre.

Some property owners suggested the city proceed with the water project first.

Still others said they want the City Council to consider putting in the sewers at a cost that more closely matches the original estimate.

Homeowner Lou Hagler said a majority of the property owners have signed a petition opposing the sewer project at the current cost estimate.

Resident Harold Tilley said city staff should have done a more accurate job of estimating sewer costs before seeking to annex the subdivision in August 1993.

The city didn't do any field work in compiling the 1992 estimate. And Eftink said the original estimate was based on 155 acres compared to the current estimate of 141 acres, a decrease which increases the per-acre cost.

In addition, construction costs have increased about 11 percent, he said.

Eftink said the latest sewer estimate is based on a detailed engineering study that included actual survey work. The city has spent $125,000 on the engineering work.

The City Council probably won't order in the sewers over the objections of property owners, Eftink said.

But the city plans to extend a trunk sewer from Route K northward to Hopper Road. The trunk sewer will be built at city expense.

Several residents said the subdivision will need sewers at some point.

At an average cost of about $10,000 for a 1-acre lot, property owners might be better off to go ahead with the project, they said.

There are problems with some of the septic tanks and state health officials could ultimately intervene if the residents don't move ahead with the sewer project soon, said Janet Werner, president of the Twin Lakes Homeowners Association.

Roger Skinner, who lives at Twin Lakes and sells real estate, said sewers would increase property values at least 25 percent.