UNDERWAY IN A BIG WAY
THE RISING WATERMARK
A lot of dirt is being moved for the Watermark development in Victoria which is located on the north side of County Road #43, across from Deer Run.  Developers on the subdivision are Terry Hartman and Cal Haasken.
According to City Planner Mark Kaltsas, there are 106 lots proposed for the development, all of which will be single family.  The total acreage is approximately 130; however, there are only about 80 acres of upland, buildable land.  The density is approximately 1.3 units per acre of usable land.
Lots will be sold to a group of five builders who will be constructing custom homes.  Cost of the lots, without the homes, is anticipated to range from $100,000 to $250,000. Sewer and water pipes are expensive!

FUTURE WATER AND SEWER RATES
VICTORIA NOT READY TO GO "HOG WILD"
Victoria city councilmembers com-missioned TKDA to complete a water and sewer rate study, which was presented to them on Thursday, June 13th, at a 5:00 p.m. workshop. 
After discussion with Verne Jacobson and Jack Griffin of TKDA, and review of their recommendations, councilmembers asked the engineering firm to look at further options for the City of Victoria that would be more in line with the costs and methods of other cities.
It was the $6 million price tag for a 3-filter treatment plant and 500 million gallon clear well that choked the council.  The complete facility, which was project-ed to produce and treat 4,000 gallons per minute, would cost the city $1.04 per million gallons per day and take care of the city at least through the year 2015.
The $1.04 number is in line with the Million Gallons/Day (MGD) cost of several other cities; but the 4,000 Gallons Per Minute (GPM) is double and triple the amount delivered in comparable cities.  Victoria councilmembers had anticipated a $2 to $3 million price tag, not $6 million.
Said Councilmember Jerry Bohn, "We don't feel we have to provide 4,000 gallons of treated water."  Today there are approximately 1,800 households in Vic-toria.  Jerry said that a well producing 2,000 GPM would accommodate 6,000 households -- which could be another 30 years down the road for the city. 
The city is projecting close to 150 new homes per year being constructed in Victoria, but is not necessarily happy with pushing that growth.  Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "I feel we'd be setting our-selves up to go hog wild."
Councilmember Gordon Simanton said, indeed, "It'd be a commitment to development."
The mayor pointed out that the city would be spending $300,000 per year in interest alone in order to have the $6 million facility for the future.  She asked TKDA, "Who has built a $6 million plant in the last five years?"  No names were given.
Said Jack Griffin, "It keeps coming back to your growth projections and com-fort level."
Said Verne Jacobson, "You have to recognize that today you have the best interest rate.  You have an opportune time to build."
Replied Mayor Mary, "We've used that line a lot.  We've had a lot of oppor-tune time.  In the future there'll be new fees to cover new treatment.  Also, in 15 years that plant will be 15 years older."
The mayor asked for a profile of water facilities in other communities and a cost analysis to assist the City of Victoria in making a wise decision about providing water and treatment needs, perhaps in a phased manner.
Currently, the average household in Victoria uses 27,000 gallons per quarter at a cost of $58.  There is no treatment facility, but the municipal water is chlorinated and fluoridated.  Residents using between 8,000 gallons and 15,000 gallons per quarter have a quarterly charge of $29.
The study recommended a rate in-crease for water usage that would be approximately 30% to the average resi-dential home.  The report recommended no change or only minor change in the current sewer rate of $48 per household per quarter.
Mr. Jacobson said, in conclusion, "You could get two or three commercial customers that would affect your usage greatly."

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