As published in Lake Travis View, week of August 9, 2018.

Lakeway MUD to install public sewer system

Regarding the installation of a public sewer system in the first 17 sections of Lakeway (Old Lakeway), we are in the process of surveying the area behind houses on Live Oak Golf Course where the proposed line will be laid. After the surveying is complete, we will go back to the owners of Live Oak Golf Course and ask for an easement in areas where we are not able to use the public easement on the back of everyone’s lot. The plan is to start laying the main line in early September.

Zebra problem

Zebra mussels are making their presence known on Lake Travis. We had our raw water intake inspected this past week and found thousands of those mussels on our barge and pump suction intake. We are in the process of engineering a chemical feed system for the raw water line, which will keep them from attaching to the inside of the raw water pipeline. We will also continue to dive and inspect the bottom of our raw water intake to keep them out of the pump suction line and suction screens. We are taking the proper steps to protect the water supply line and raw water intake.

Irrigation reminder

We don’t need to remind anyone that it is summer in Lakeway; all you have to do is walk outside to get a quick reminder of our 100-degree (plus or minus a degree or two) weather. As of this writing, the seven-day forecast shows an only 20 percent chance of rain.

We are in Stage Two restrictions for irrigation between May 1 and Sept. 30. This means that irrigation is allowed two days per week depending on the last digit of your address. Odd-numbered addresses may irrigate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and even-numbered addresses may irrigate on Thursdays and Sundays. Commercial irrigation is allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays. These restrictions apply to both underground sprinkler systems and sprinklers on the end of a hose.

It is very important to remember that no irrigation is allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. During those hours, the heat causes so much evaporation that irrigation is very ineffective.

If you are putting in new sod and/or landscaping, you may apply for a variance for a short period of time while your new vegetation takes root.

We hope this information will motivate some to check their sprinkler systems schedule and adjust as needed to conserve wherever possible. By the time this goes to press, we will be in August. Let’s all hope we have had some rain by this time, and we hope all of you have or have had a pleasant and enjoyable vacation break.

We thank all of our customer base for the great cooperation we have had to date in adhering to the schedule, and we also thank those citizens who have reported violations to us, so we could respond and stop the violation and get compliance. For additional information on water saving tips and more, please visit our website.

Budgeting

We are in the process of budgeting for fiscal year 2019. Our proposed base water rate will stay at $20 and our proposed base wastewater rate will stay at $14. We are adjusting our water tiered rates for over 30,000-50,000; 50,000-80,000; 80,000-100,000; and over 100,000. These rates should be approved with the FY 19 budget at the Sept. 12 board meeting. The proposed tax rate for the Lakeway Municipal Utility District is going from 0.1258 to 0.1158. The public hearing for this tax rate will be at the Sept. 12 board meeting. A big thank you to the LMUD board of directors and all the volunteer committee members who make this possible.

Please feel free to call us with any questions at 512-261-6222, email us at customerservice@lakewaymud.org. You can also visit our website at lakewaymud.org for further information.

Earl Foster is the Lakeway Municipal Utility District general manager.