exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

City officials here said Monday that they will use over $3.6 million in American Rescue Plan funding for its police department and to address drainage issues. Commissioner Leonel Benavidez, however, said Monday evening that the city initially anticipated nearly half a million more dollars. 

At its regular meeting Jan. 25, Pflugerville City Council will discuss and possibly take action on approving a $6.8 million construction bid with Landmark Structures for a new water tower. The $6.8 million bid includes the construction of a two million-gallon capacity water tower east of Weiss Lane as well as 160 feet of water line and various utility and electrical improvements.

Through hurricanes and flooding, Jerry Mohn has waited a long time for the federal government to build the kind of protective barrier that could shield Galveston’s coastline from devastating storm surges triggered by massive weather events.

The city of Houston, through its public works department, gave its approval Jan. 20 to a set of protocols controlling the water levels in Lake Conroe and Lake Houston, according to the San Jacinto River Authority, which manages the lake levels. The protocols would run until 2023.

The Lake Nasworthy area moved one step closer to getting a new wastewater system officials say is crucial for San Angelo's economic future, though it might take some time before residents see any visible signs of progress at the lake. On Tuesday, Jan. 18, City Council unanimously approved executing the final design and bidding phase for much-needed improvements to Nasworthy's aging sewer line.

The U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers has approved the funding to finish the Trinity River Vision/Central City Flood Control Project, U.S. Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX 12th District) and Marc Veasey (D-TX 33rd District) announced Wednesday. Granger, the Republican Leader of the House Appropriations Committee, said the USACOE work plan includes $403 million to complete the final design of all project components and the construction of the bypass channel that will run under bridges that have already been completed.

During the Mayor’s FYI portion of the meeting, the council discussed the upcoming appointment of Grapeland Public Library Director Ashley Corns to the Building and Standards Commission. Also discussed was the need for an emergency runoff tank at the city’s wastewater plant.

The Lower Colorado River Authority Board of Directors gave a thumbs-up to higher water rates for interruptible customers during its Jan. 19 meeting, a day after Water Operations Committee members voiced concerns about circulating information they said was inaccurate, specifically that the increase was not enough and that interruptible customers do not pay their fair share of the cost of serving them. 

The Cottonwood Shores City Council approved a $20,000 agreement with Kallman Engineering for the design, bid package, and inspection of an emergency backup generator for the city’s water plant. The council approved the contract during its regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 20.  The recommendation to approve the contract was “reluctantly” made by City Administrator J.C. Hughes. The reason for his reluctance, he said, is because city staff have already located a generator for the plant at BuyBoard, a cooperative that meets state of Texas buying requirements. 

Since last February’s winter storm, Austin Water has taken numerous steps, both big and small, to prepare for the impact of another such emergency. Director Greg Meszaros told City Council’s Austin Water Oversight Committee last week that, with the help of a working group from the Water and Wastewater Commission, the water utility has prioritized its needs.

A project to restore San Antonio’s five Westside creeks will receive $75 million in funding through the bipartisan federal infrastructure act passed by Congress last year. The San Antonio River Authority said Thursday it will get funding for the Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Work Plan.

There were several drainage projects throughout Pearland and Friendswood that broke ground or finished up in 2021, and there will be more in 2022. Both cities will take on projects this year that are designed to help mitigate flooding issues, but there is also a different aspect Pearland and Friendswood officials said they look to include: incorporating recreational and green spaces with these projects when possible.

A total of 406 invasive suckermouth armored catfish were removed from the San Marcos River in recent weeks. Texas Rivers and Streams, a division of Texas Parks and Wildlife, posted a photo on Facebook Thursday stating that the fish were removed during a dewatering event at Rio Vista Park. The fish “have been introduced to numerous water bodies in Texas through aquarium dumping — Never Dump Your Tank!” officials said.

Downtown developers envision a quarter-mile linear park that connects the San Antonio River Walk with the San Pedro Creek Culture Park, and they want to make it a reality — but they’ll need the support of the city and Bexar County.

Tomball City Council approved the replacement of the city’s water meters and transmitters, totaling more than $1.7 million, during its meeting Jan. 17. The city is paying for the replacement using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which allotted local entities $350 billion for COVID-19 relief.

As Texans, we can all agree that whether you are at my ranch on the Brazos River, patrolling the United States-Mexico Border on the Rio Grande or vacationing on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, there is nothing as awe-inspiring as the natural beauty of Texas water.