Photo at the left is a wetlands treatment; where nature itself processes the waste to such a safe extent, with little surface required, such that it becomes wildlife habitat. 

          The two photos at the right are of municipal sewer installation, necessitating extensive surface excavation, removing trees and other natural elements in the way of pipes.  In addition, it requires hiring staff for permanent maintenance.  

Fort Worth Star-Telegram / Metro Northeast / August 7, 1998 / by Bryon Okada

Project's sewer lines opposed:  Flower Mound fears dense development may follow 

       Although Flower Mound officials say they would welcome a waste-water treatment plant near Denton Creek and the commercial development it could spur, they oppose the sewage lines that would be needed on the town's west side.

       The proposal, calling for three lift stations in Flower Mound and multiple waste-water mains throughout southern Denton County, was presented yesterday to the Upper Trinity Regional Water District.

       The project could create unwanted high-density residential development in an area earmarked in Flower Mound's master plan as ranch land and large-lot estates, town officials say.

       "We don't want to ever have that door opened," Mayor Lori DeLuca said.

       At the behest of its Flower Mound representative, Bobbye Meek, the water district board voted unanimously to table the proposal until next month's meeting to give Flower Mound officials and residents time to air their concerns.

       The delay dismayed officials in the Argyle school district, which is scheduled to open a high school in fall 1999 and is awaiting guidance from the water district about where water and waste-water services will come from.

       Tom Taylor, the water district's executive director, said he will discuss water and waste-water flow options with Argyle officials to make sure they know about the proposal.

       Board members emphasized that the proposal is preliminary and that the district cannot proceed without the consent of the area's municipalities, including Flower Mound.

       The proposal calls for the plant to be built at one of seven sites north of Denton Creek near U.S. 377 in Flower Mound's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

       "We're not trying to dictate to anybody what will be in their town, or what is in their master plan. This is a very good draft of an idea designed to provoke discussion," Taylor said. "Obviously that's what's happening."

       But some Flower Mound officials and residents questioned why Meek, Town Engineer Steve Gilbreath and consulting engineers Alan Plummer and Associates were not made aware of plans for the lift stations and mains through the town's west side until this week.

       Most residences on Flower Mound's west side use private septic systems, which are allowed only on large lots.

       "That is the one thing that keeps that rural environment rural," Flower Mound resident Henry Cook said.

       "If you put in sewage lines, you'll have the developers lined up at the door to have five houses on every acre."

       Town officials said that making the protest was important because "perception sometimes becomes reality," and that a water district that does not have the mandate of the voters should not be driving development in Flower Mound.

       Because waterlines in the plan run through Flower Mound and connect to Argyle, Double Oak and Bartonville, those communities need to know about Flower Mound's concerns, Town Manager Van James said.

       Statements in the plan, such as "Flower Mound is a participating UTRWD member and is expected to fully support district initiatives," also worry town officials, who said that a failure to protest could be perceived as tacit approval.

       "All of a sudden, there's a planning grant, which becomes a construction grant, and then the next step is, `When are we going to do it? ' " resident John Parkinson said.

Copyright 1998 Star-Telegram, Inc.