City and county officials gathered at the Mineola sewer plant for a celebration.

With appropriately-themed refreshments, a ribbon cutting dedicated the new sewer receiving station last Thursday.

The station will be the only one in the county when it opens for business, and initially will be limited to companies located in the county.

As County Commissioner Jerry Gaskill explained, local septic companies that now have to take their sewage out of the county would be in a bind if those counties elected to stop serving outside firms.

The $1.2 million station was paid for by a part of Wood County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds that stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic.

County Judge Kevin White said it was a good use of the federal money.

Mineola will operate and maintain the station and collect the revenues.

Public Works Director Kyle McCoy explained that it will help prevent illegal sewage dumping by having a local receptacle.

Recent upgrades to the city sewer plant totaling $8 million helped put it in shape to have the receiving station located there.

City Manager Cindy Karch said it took “all of us” working together as a team to make it happen, and it will have a positive environmental impact.