Commissioner Jack Cagle first learned about the outdated aerated septic system in Old Town Spring about two years ago while enjoying a Reuben sandwich at Ellen's Caf.

"There was just an extra ambience in the air that was detracting from the pleasure of my sandwich," Cagle said. "So in the process of making an inquiry of Ellen, she expressed not only the problem of the aerated septic systems that the town was still on, but how also it was detrimental to business."

Businesses in Old Town Spring suffered not only because of the smell, but from having to shut down early in the afternoon due to the capacity of the system, Cagle said. After two years of working to fix the problem, Old Town Spring held a ceremonial first flush Oct. 3 on the new sewer system servicing 12 of the businesses in Old Town Spring, including Ellen's Caf.

"This is an exciting time, because what it means [for] our community here, this treasure," he said. "We're able to keep the old and share it with the new and to have a place to come, to shop, to play, to live, to enjoy and to savor life."

The new sewer system consists of 8,000 feet of lines and a water treatment plant—installed by Quadvest, a water and wastewater utility company. The low-pressure system can process up to 60,000 gallons of water per day and can be upgraded to process up to 520,000 gallons of water per day in the future.

Although Harris County was instrumental in the development of the new sewer system, only about $100,000 of the roughly $2 million system came from Harris County funds, according to county officials. The bulk of the money for the project came from private investment, Quadvest President Simon Sequeira said.

Sequeira said the first flush on the new system at Ellen's Caf actually took place in December 2013, but work continues on the system.

"We're part of this community," he said. "We hope we're here forever and ever. We're bringing in a new trunk line from the brand new water plant that we built and it's going to tie into Old Town Spring and it's going to improve water pressure. There's a lot of stuff that's continuing to go on and we're happy. We just couldn't be more excited about being here."

Pam Golden, president of the Old Town Spring Improvement District, said some businesses have still yet to buy into the new system, which Sequeira said costs about $12,000–$15,000 per user to join. Golden said it is up to each property owner to decide whether to join the sewer system, but she believes it will be a significant benefit to the community.

"It's a huge plus for our restaurants, so I think people are excited about it," Golden said. "I think it's great. It'll allow us to have night life—which is something that we really want to see happening with the growth of the area—and just keep people out here to shop and dine and enjoy the atmosphere."

Owner of Golden Gypsies and Scent Chips in Old Town Spring, Golden said her two businesses are not yet using the system. However, she has spoken with the landlord and the switch is being considered.

With the nearby ExxonMobil campus nearing completion by the end of 2015, Cagle said the system's ability to expand will be key to an area that is experiencing rapid growth.

"This is a time where we need to grow more than ever before with ExxonMobil moving in and so many people coming to our [precinct]," Cagle said. "They need to have a place where they can come, play, shop. We need to keep our doors open and our constituents happy."