exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

On Thursday, City Council unanimously approved a $3 million contract with HDR Engineering Inc. for a study to determine where the water utility might locate an additional new pump station and reservoir in Southwest Austin in conjunction with the Davis Lane Pump Station. Austin Water says that on a day when there is maximum demand, the Davis Lane station operates at 75 percent effective capacity – the highest level of use among the utility’s distribution pump stations.

A breakdown of proposed changes to the city’s Water Management Plan were presented to Frisco City Council members during an April 2 work session meeting. The biggest updates, which would change the city’s weekly irrigation sprinkler watering schedule and raise enforcement fees, could help Frisco manage its water consumption, Public Works Director Gabe Johnson said.

Repairs to the 48-inch water line that supplies drinking water to Killeen and other cities are complete, and cities can begin rescinding Stage 4 water conservation measures, according to Ricky Garrett, general manager of Bell County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1.

The update is required by state regulations, and outlines conservation and emergency management requirements within the city.

Austin Water on Tuesday released a report showing that the Environmental Protection Agency had found “little to no detectable traces” of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – in the city’s drinking water. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS have been linked to birth defects and cancer.

On March 26, League City City Council voted unanimously to adopt new water and wastewater master plans in an effort to better meet the water needs for the growing city. It’s the first time the plans have been updated since 2018, according to agenda documents.

A letter was send to all U.S. governors with a warning about hackers targeting water and wastewater systems across the country.

A new operator was assigned to fix the well in Midland County, which is still not compliant with state standards.

There’s good news and bad news about this summer’s drought conditions. The good news: most of the state of Texas is not expected to experience drought conditions similar to last year. The bad news: the part of the state that needs to recover from drought will likely be impacted again as the temperature warms up.

The city of Sugar Land approved a $239,810 contract with ARKK Engineers for design and bid services regarding the Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation Project at an April 2 City Council meeting.

The funding comes from back payment of fees from Quadvest Water and Sewer and Woodland Oak Utility as a result of a six-year legal battle.

Two non-routine action items await the Brenham City Council when it meets on Thursday. One order of business will be an ordinance setting rules and regulations regarding sanitation and pollution control of the areas in proximity to the city’s public water supply wells. 

Lewisville City Council approved two contracts for work at the Prairie Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant that tallied more than $1.3 million during the April 1 meeting. The first contract was awarded to Richardson-based OCMI Inc. for cost and project control services for the aeration basin expansion project for $908,062. The second was with Archer Western Construction Inc., from Irving, for $449,814 for a construction manager at risk preconstruction agreement.

Consulting engineers have been tasked by Shavano Park's leaders to craft a water model that will help town officials meet needs regarding the city's water infrastructure, from drinking water to fire hydrants.

Lakeside property owners struggling to manage nuisance aquatic vegetation on Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, and Lake Marble Falls have access to two new Lower Colorado River Authority programs. One program offers a new treatment zone schedule to consolidate the efforts of lakeside property owners wanting to remove or treat nuisance aquatic vegetation.