The Hi-Desert Water District has started the final number crunching to determine a financing formula for the proposed sewer district that would result in the lowest monthly payment for customers.

“We are trying to come up with a structure that will allow us to address all aspects of the cost,” commented General Manager Ed Muzik. “There are three components of the project cost to the customer: the cost to build the system, which will be the amount included in an Assessment District. Then there is the private property cost to connect to the system, which will average about $2,000 to abandon the existing septic system and lay sewer pipe to the street, which can be financed through the Assessment District. Finally there is the regular monthly sewer fee that pays for the operating costs to process the wastewater, costs like electricity for pumping and plant operators. The Assessment District is most important in moving the project forward.

"Hi-Desert Water is examining . . .