MDM Construction Inc., of Hayden, Idaho, is the apparent low bidder for a $4.2 million project to lay both sewer lines and water mains in the West Ponderosa area south of Spokane Valley.

Mark Stiltz, a Spokane County project manager, says the planned sewer-line project is a continuation of a larger effort to eliminate septic tanks over the Spokane-Rathdrum Aquifer.

Most of the sewer work will be done in an area bordered by 44th Avenue to the south, Cimmaron Drive to the north, University Road to the east, and Farr Road to the west, Stiltz says. The project will provide service to about 200 homes.

The project will include laying about 21,000 feet of eight-inch diameter sewer pipe, 1,000 feet of two-inch diameter sewer pipe, and making 220 sewer connections, and installing 86 sewer manholes. The work also includes removal and replacement of asphalt pavement.

Some of the streets where the sewer pipe will be laid in the project area include: Schafer Road from Cimmaron Drive south to 44th Avenue; Driftwood Drive; Pondra Drive; 43rd Court; Felts Court; Darcy Drive; Sunderland Road; 42nd Court; University Road from Pondra Drive south to 44th Avenue; Conifer Court; Locust Road; Farr Road between 43rd Avenue and 44th Avenue; Gertrude Drive; Ponderosa Drive; and Steve Lane.

The work is to be completed before the end of the construction season, Stiltz says. He wasn't sure when it would begin.

In the water-main project, old water mains in that same area will be upgraded. The work includes installing about 2,250 feet of 10-inch diameter water main, 1,625 feet of eight-inch diameter water main, and 700 feet of six-inch diameter water main. The replacement pipes will be installed adjacent to the old ones, which will remain in service during construction and will be abandoned in place once the new mains are ready for service.

Cindy Grasso, a county program specialist, says a second phase of this project, for similar work in the remaining developed areas south of 44th Avenue, were to be open to bids until May 6.