Plans to extend sewer services to Aldrich residents plagued by leaky septic tanks have hit a minor snag.

The project will have to be bid out again after no company came within the $678,000 budget.

Huntsville-based Community Consultants are overseeing the $500,000 state grant that will extend Montevallo&8217;s sewer lines for nearly two miles.

Grant administrator Terry Acuff said the chosen pipe was just too expensive, resulting in a low bid $1.1 million. He said his company would adjust the bid application to include a standard PCP line, rather than ductal pipe.

&8220;We&8217;re fine. Everything&8217;s still on track,&8221; he said.

Acuff expects to advertise the job for another week. Construction should begin in early July.

In the meantime, Acuff and other employees are going door-to-door in Aldrich, seeking community input.

&8220;Most people were interested,&8221; Acuff said. &8220;The initial concern was cost, of course. But once we explain that&8217;s taken care of, there&8217;s really no trouble.&8221;

Once finished, the new lines should eliminate private septic tanks in the former coal-mining community, where sewage sometimes seeps into yards and roads.

The project should take about six months to complete and will connect 58 households to Montevallo sewer service