As published in Lakeway Voice, July 2019 .

Main Line Underway for ODWW Project, Phase 1

The wastewater management project, bringing a public sewer system option to the residents in the first 17 sections of Lakeway is underway. Lakeway MUD (LMUD) broke ground on May 21 to begin running the main line and a recycled water line needed to connect Phase 1 residents (homes and condos located around the Live Oak Golf Course) to the wastewater system as well as access to the reuse water system. Wastewater connections for Phase 1 are expected to begin in May 2020. The recycled water connections option, available for Phase 1 residential locations only, will begin at a later date.

The “Out of District Wastewater (ODWW) Project” being offered by LMUD affects an area of Lakeway primarily serviced by personal septic systems. LMUD General Manager Earl Foster said, “The roughly 1,200 homes in the oldest part of Lakeway range in build date from new construction to as early as 1962; we’re seeing problems with septic tanks ranging anywhere from 20 to almost 60 years old. Well maintained septic tanks in this area average a life expectancy of 40 years, meaning, even if homeowners are not noticing a problem, most likely their drain field is infiltrated with tree roots or the integrity of the concrete tank may be compromised, potentially leaching waste, causing potential environmental harm. With new septic tanks ranging in price between $30 to $40 thousand, plus LCRA regulations requiring an extended drain field and annual inspections, we’re glad for the opportunity to offer the homeowners an alternative option.”

Earlier in May, Lakeway residents were invited to attend public meetings offering an overview of the ODWW Project, held at the Lakeway Activity Center on May 9 at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Foster as well as LMUD’s Public Information Liaison Stephanie Threinen, co-presented the information, covering a brief history of the area, an overview of the system being installed, and how to sign up. Threinen said, “We want to make it very clear that this is an optional program. No one is being penalized if they decide to not hook up and stay on their septic. The option will continue to be available to homeowners who decide to connect at any point in the future, however the most economical and quickest option will be to hook up as soon as we make it available to you.” Homeowners in the Phase 1 area of the project can expect to receive communication from LMUD as early as September to learn more about the Project and be offered the option to connect. Phase 2 homeowners (all other homeowners in Lakeway with a septic system) can expect an offer to connect closer to the end of 2021. Homeowners with a failing septic system are encouraged to contact LMUD immediately to see if there are any relief options available until the public sewer system is offered in their area. “We have been working closely with the LCRA – the agency that enforces the regulations for septic tanks – for us to be allowed to offer homeowners options to put temporary repairs on their failing systems, if it’s possible. Before our project was approved, homeowners facing a failed inspection would have been required to replace it entirely,” Foster said.

The mainline for Phase 1 began on the golf course side of Lakeway Drive, near the entrance to the Live Oak Golf Course clubhouse. Tommy Farrell, LMUD’s Field Operations Supervisor, who is in charge of the field team said, “We’re working our way up around Sunfish, along the front nine holes first, then we’ll do the back nine.” All work is being completed in the City’s right-of-way as well as on Live Oak Golf Course property with granted approvals. The team will redirect the line around trees or bore under them, following the City’s arborist’s directives to help ensure all trees remain healthy and intact. Service provider lines, such as Spectrum and AT&T, have also been surveyed so residents should experience minimum impact during this portion of the project. Teams are scheduled to work Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. dependent on weather conditions with an expected completion date in October. The team will then focus on building out the required infrastructure to make the system operational including a lift station and force main, located, with granted approval, on the Golf Course’s property off Flamingo Boulevard near the driving range, which is currently out for bid to qualified contractors.

More information about the ODWW Project can be found on the LMUD website at www.lakewaymud.org. Questions about the project can be directed to Stephanie Threinen, LMUD Public Information Liaison at stepht@lakewaymud.org or (512) 261-6222 ext. 175.

2-Day Per Week Irrigation Schedule in Affect Year-Round

At the June LMUD Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved a year round approach to water conservation making the two-day irrigation schedule, typically reserved for May through September, now mandatory year round. Lakeway residents are now required to observe Stage Two Water Restrictions for irrigation purposes all 12 months of the year. The restrictions state that both residential and commercial customers must follow a maximum of two days per week irrigation schedule on their specified days. These water restrictions affect irrigation schedules pertaining to outdoor use of an in-ground/automatic irrigation system or hose-end sprinkler. Power washing, car washing, etc. are still allowed during these restrictions.

Watering Hours: Midnight to 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. to Midnight
NO WATERING 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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