Salado Wastewater Project Phase 1

Overview

After years of planning, the Village of Salado is nearing completion of construction of the new Salado Wastewater System.  McClean Construction of Killeen is constructing the collection system and lift stations at a cost of $3,326,632.50.  Matous Construction of Belton is constructing the wastewater treatment plant at a cost of $4,883,000. 

In addition to the above-mentioned construction costs, there are other associated project costs totaling more than $1 million for everything from project management to required electrical upgrades to decommissioning the existing Stagecoach Treatment Plant.  Below is a detailed listing of these project expenditures.

Project Expenditures

• Wastewater Treatment Plant ($4,883,000.00)
• Wastewater Treatment Collection System ($3,326,632.50)
• Construction Contingencies ($410,000.00)
• Project Management ($339,000.00)
• Engineering-Project Management Coordination ($35,000.00)
• Engineering Construction Services ($496,641.00)
• Oncor 3 Phase Overhead Power to Plant ($69,926.07)
• Oncor 3 Phase Overhead Power to Lift Stations ($7,943.41)
• CCN Designation ($18,850.00)
• Wastewater Rate Study ($40,000.00)
• Environmental Monitoring ($25,000.00)
• Archeological Monitoring ($8,500.00)
• Property Connection ($156,000.00)
• Grinder Pumps for 30+ Main Street properties ($210,000.00)
• Decommissioning Stagecoach WW Plant ($160,000.00)

TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $9,992,592.98

Background

In November 2014, Salado voters approved a $10.55 million bond issue to finance development of the wastewater system.  To date, all of the voter approved bonds have been issued. In addition to the voter-approved bonds, the Village was awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the United States Economic Development Administration to help finance construction of the wastewater collection system.

Construction of the wastewater system is expected to be complete in mid-March 2019.  Wastewater service is projected to be available on April 2, 2019. Affected property owners will have 90 days from the date of service availability to connect to the new wastewater system.

Once completed, the wastewater system will initially serve approximately 135 properties in the Village's business district and several adjacent areas. Streets to be served include Main Street, Royal Street, Church Street, West Village Road and portions of N. Stagecoach, Thomas Arnold and Van Biber Streets. Discussions are currently underway about the possible future expansion of the collection system to areas north and west of the current service area. A link to the list of properties to be connected to the wastewater system can be found below.

Upon recommendation of the Village's Impact Fee Advisory Committee, the Board of Aldermen recently approved an Impact Fee of $3,750 per LUE for the new wastewater system. The Impact Fee is based on a study prepared by the Village's Rate Consultant.  A copy of that report can be found below.  Customers will have four years, interest free, to pay their Impact Fee.  

The Village's rate consultant is currently working on the development of a fee structure for the monthly service fees that will be paid by wastewater customers. That fee structure will be presented to the Board of Aldermen in early March 2019 for review and approval.

In addition to paying an Impact Fee, property owners to be served by the new wastewater system will be responsible for the cost of a licensed plumber and electrician, if necessary, to connect their property to the wastewater system. Plumbers and electricians must be registered as contractors with the Village and must obtain building permits from the Village before any work is done.  No fees will be charged for contractor registration and building permits for wastewater system connection work.  Below is a list of area plumbers and electricians.  This list is offered for reference purposes only and should not be considered a list of recommended contractors. The Village cannot recommend a particular contractor. 

Property owners will be required  to decommission their existing septic systems once they have connected to the new wastewater system. This work can be done by an individual or contractor registered with the Village.  A cost-free building permit must be obtained from the Village in advance of this work being done. The Bell County Health District is allowing affected property owners a window of twelve (12) months from the date of wastewater service availability to properly decommission their septic systems. 

It is important to note the property owner is responsible for the cost of any individual and/or contractor hired to connect a property to the wastewater system and to decommission any existing septic system.