Chapter 2

Chapter 2: New Board! Just to recap the main point of Chapter 1, The District was formed by a vote of the people. It was a mandate, in my opinion, for the District to address the problem of unsewered areas in the greater Fruitland area. In 2009, the County Commission appointed a new Board of Directors for the District. I had expressed interest in working on the Board in 1998, but was not selected at that time. I was invited to apply to be a board member in 2009. I applied and was appointed to the board. Several Board members have come and gone since 2009. Since 1998, The Village of Pocahontas built their own collection and treatment system, but little else has changed to help with the problem of unsewered areas. However, increasingly stringent EPA regulations on discharges from wastewater treatment facilities, enforced by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has created a problem for many of the 25 permitted systems that serve businesses, schools, and subdivisions in the area. Almost without exception (in my opinion) every one of the 25 permitted systems has issues with required upgrades, compliance schedules, maintenance, breakdowns, or operational issues. Fact is, few permit holders want to be in the "sewer business". I see the challenges faced by the permit holders as the District's second mandate. We are in a position to not only help the unsewered areas, but also help with the existing collection and treatment systems in the Fruitland Area. The five-member Board currently consists of residents of various subdivisions and/or represents a business in the Fruitland Area. I was elected Board President and currently serve in that capacity. We Board members are not compensated in any way for our service to the District.