Construction on Sargeant's long-awaited sewer project was in full swing this past week.

The streets are torn up and two holding ponds are being put in for water treatment.

The wind has delayed finishing the ponds as scheduled, but city officials expect the project to be completed by late July or early August.

Sargeant residents have used septic systems since the late 1930s. For the past nine years, the city has been trying to put in a sewer system. With the help of two grants totaling about $900,000 and a bond at about $100,000, the project was able to move forward, said Mayor Danny Linbo.

Once the project is completed, the system has to undergo a state-regulated test for 30 days to make sure the ponds don't leak.

"It'll be nice when it's done," Linbo said Friday. "The streets are tore up. It rained last night. It's pretty muddy."

The sewer main is almost done being installed and hookups to homes and business are almost completed, said Roger Nelson, sewer and water superintendent and city council member.

The lining in the ponds hasn't been able to be finished because of high winds, but Nelson thinks that could be done Monday, weather permitting.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com