Redkey Sewer Department:
Strengthening Our Infrastructure with Expertise, Innovation, and Teamwork
The Redkey Sewer Department is advancing with a strong foundation of leadership and innovation. At the helm is Ted Kolodka, who brings a 
wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the town. A Ph.D. graduate in Molecular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine, Ted has spent much of his career in biopharmaceutical management, where he developed a deep understanding of regulatory compliance, system operations, and strategic planning.
Since stepping into his role, Ted has made an immediate and lasting impact. Within just a few months, he thoroughly reviewed the Choice One Engineering Master Utility Plan and drafted a comprehensive 150+ page Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) for IDEM — submitted ahead of the December 31, 2024 deadline. This plan lays out four major infrastructure projects essential to the future of Redkey's wastewater management, and Ted is actively researching grant opportunities to help fund them.
Beyond planning, Ted has significantly improved plant efficiency by fine-tuning operations to lower costs. He’s overseen repairs to key equipment — restoring the Rooter device and sewer camera, fixing the heating system in the headworks building, and adding protective covers to the clarifying pits. These proactive upgrades have not only saved the town money but also strengthened the system against spring flooding and other weather-related challenges.
Importantly, Ted isn’t working alone. Seth, a dedicated and hardworking member of the town staff, is currently training under Ted to become certified to run the water plant. This teamwork approach not only provides operational support but also reflects a long-term vision: building local expertise that will serve Redkey for years to come. With Seth’s hands-on training and Ted’s mentorship, the Town is investing in the next generation of infrastructure management, ensuring no knowledge is lost and every emergency has a capable responder.
The department’s focus isn’t just internal — they’re also committed to transparency and public education. Ted and Seth are working to map and document all sewer lines and maintenance points as part of a townwide asset management initiative, helping Redkey better understand and plan for its underground infrastructure. These records will integrate with the new Asset Status Tracker (AST™) software, providing real-time data and better decision-making tools.
Their efforts also tie into broader town goals — improved flood resilience, smarter planning for growth, and a safer, cleaner environment for all residents. With growing state and federal scrutiny on water quality and discharge compliance, having a proactive, well-documented, and responsive sewer department is not just a benefit — it’s a necessity.
Ted and Seth’s work is a great example of what happens when experience meets enthusiasm. Together, they’re setting a new standard for what small-town departments can achieve through planning, innovation, and teamwork.
Did You Know? Redkey’s sewer plant is designed to process up to 300,000 gallons of wastewater per day — but during heavy rain events, like when an inch falls in 24 hours, it can surge to over one million gallons! That’s a powerful reminder of how critical our infrastructure is — and why the work of Ted, Seth, and the entire sewer department matters every single day.
