• David Tewes •
• Originally published July 25, 2008 at 12:14 a.m., updated July 25, 2008 at 12:14 a.m.

Politicians don’t like spending money to repair water and sewer lines because taxpayers can’t see what they’re getting for their money.

But the Victoria Regional Airport Commission agreed Thursday to spend up to $225,000 to begin replacing aging water and sewer lines at the airport.

The plan also appeared to have the support of the commissioners court members attending the meeting. They will have to give the plan a final OK.

“We’re trying to spend money where it will save money,” County Commissioner Kevin Janak said. “We definitely care about taxpayer funds and that’s why we’re working toward saving those funds.”

Unfortunately, there’s only enough money to replace less than one-fourth of the airport’s water and sewer lines, he said. “It’s a slow process.”

The biggest problem is the system of sewer lines are cracked or broken. That allows rainwater to seep into the system and it then has to be treated by the city, which charges the airport by the gallon for that service.

“We’re just paying to treat rainwater,” Janak said. “With this replacement, we will take care of a portion of that problem.”

Consulting engineer Tom Schmidt with Urban Engineering of Victoria said replacing that part of the sewer line on the northeast side of the field will cost about $80,000.

It will cost another $145,000 to replace leaking water lines in the same area, Schmidt said. But replacing the water lines will help ensure there is enough water flow to fight fires, he said.

Just where all of the money will come from to replace the utility lines hasn’t been determined. But County Judge Don Pozzi said the commissioners court and staff will find a way to pay for the work.

“We want everything done out there that needs to be done,” he said. “But obviously we can’t do it all at once.”

Pozzi also said he’d rather spend the money now than two years from now when the prices have doubled.

County Commissioner Gary Burns said officials also need to consider that spending the money to replace the lines will help save money.

“If it saves us $2,000 or $3,000 a month on utility bills, it’s going to pay for itself,” he said.

David Tewes is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6515 or dtewes@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

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