Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
West Cedar Creek Municipal District General Manger Tony Ciardo (center) addresses a full house of Key Ranch, Lakewood and Lakewood North residents at Triple N Ranch Winery and Vineyard Feb. 17. The Town Hall meeting is to introduce the new sewer system that is being installed in the area. Ciardo opens the floor for questions to be answered concerning timing and cost of the new sewer system. Homeowners are given the choice to connect to the sewer system or stay with their current septic system.

TRINIDAD–West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District (WCCMUD) held a town hall meeting Feb. 17. The town hall meeting was to address the new sewer collection system that is being installed in Key Ranch, Ruth Springs, Lakewood and Lakewood North areas.
General Manager Tony Ciardo opened the meeting with concerns for the sewer system in the Key Ranch area. Ciardo said, “In late 1992 Key Ranch had a problem with providing water. The water well was going bad, it was loaded up with salt.” In 1993 an agreement was made with WCCMUD. A large water line was laid from the water treatment plant to Key Ranch. Ciardo stated that over the past 40 years he has watched the problem that Key Ranch is facing with sewage and septic systems. Ciardo said, “We have one source of drinking water and that is Cedar Creek Reservoir with no plans of additional lakes being built. That is the water we drink, so we must do all we can to protect it.”
Ciardo said that homeowners have the choice to connect to the WCCMUD sewer system or remain on septic. However, the cost will increase once the project has been completed. It is much more cost-effective to make the connections while the work is in progress. 
The cost to connect to the WCCMUD sewer system will be $10,650. Ciardo said that there will be a payment plan for up to five years with a one-time fee of 10%. There is a monthly fee for the use of the sewer. The base rate will be $28.50 with $4.50 for every additional 1,000 gallons with a cap at 8,000 gallons, commercial usage has no cap.
A tank will be placed next to the residence, the homeowner will need to provide a 220 volt disconnect 30 amp. The tank is a King Pump Grinder (grinder pumps are installed in houses attached to a public sewer. They are large pumps with spinning blades mounted on the bottom to grind up any solid waste. The pump is operated by a float switch that engages the pump anytime the water level rises to a certain point. The pump engages and pumps all the waste to the sewer. These systems do not require very much maintenance https://www.kingsepticservice.com) which is equipped with all brass and stainless steel. 
WCCMUD will make one connection to the system using PVC, which will be the main sewer pipe. Ciardo said, “Once the sewer system is connected to a residence WCCMUD will maintain it forever.” The only time there will be a cost is if it is abused. There will be a warning for the first offense, and any damage after that there will be a cost to the homeowner.
Ciardo said, “Connecting to the WCCMUD sewer is a choice. The WCCMUD board encourages residents to connect but it is a choice. The board is willing to work with those who want to connect to the sewer system.”
If there are any questions Ciardo said that residents can contact him at the WCCMUD office at 903-432-3704.