The City of Brownwood received approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for their design of a proposed wastewater reuse plant, but city leaders are investigating other options before moving forward with construction of the plant.
Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree gave an update on the project at Tuesday’s city council meeting, stating that a letter from Hearn Engineering showed conditional approval from the TCEQ. Its approval will be final once the plant is constructed and proven to meet state standards, according to Rountree. The timing of its probable construction has not been decided, but Rountree pointed out that delays could cause costs to increase.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes said Tuesday night at the Brown County Water Improvement District #1 (BCWID) board of directors meeting that the city will consider all alternatives before moving forward with the proposed wastewater reuse plant.
“Accordingly, we are prepared to proceed with a supplemental water supply that will recycle approximately 1.5 million gallons (of water) a day that could feasibly reduce the city consumption from BCWID by about one-third,” Haynes said. “Obviously, whether to proceed with this project is a major decision that cannot and should not be made without careful consideration of numerous factors, including the possible alternatives and the costs to the consumer.”
Haynes said that the city wants to work more closely with the BCWID in looking for other water supply alternatives before moving forward with the proposed water reuse plant. Specifically, Haynes asked the board if they had any better or cheaper alternatives to increasing the area’s water supply, and if Brownwood moved forward with their reuse project, what impact that would have on the city financially related to rates and bond payments.
“During this period of drought, it is more important than ever that we work together for the benefit of our community,” Haynes said. “Accordingly, we greatly appreciate your help on these issues. Again we stand ready, willing and able to help you in any way possible.”
Over the last several months, the BCWID has been researching possible options for drilling water wells in Brown County to supplement the supply of water. Recent studies showed that aquifers in the county could be used as a supply of water, but the quality of the water is unknown and the cost to construct a well for a public supply is costly, according to engineer William Gamblin from D. B. Stephens & Associates who specializes in these types of wells.
The water district will be developing a plan over the next few weeks to drill a test well to determine the quality of water in these aquifers. This information would help determine a cost estimate of not only drilling a full well, but the cost of delivery and treatment of any water found. Brownwood officials offered to help determine these cost estimates.
Although the level at Lake Brownwood has stabilized during the winter months, officials want to continue to explore options for alternative sources of water for future use. If Brownwood moves forward with the reuse plant, it will be funded through borrowed funds from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for construction as well as possible state and federal grants. The TWDB approved $12 million in funds for Brownwood for construction of the reuse plant and to make improvements to the existing wastewater treatment plant, but there are deadlines in using the funds.
“First, it will take the city approximately one year to build the plant and make it operational,” Haynes said. “Second, the TWDB’s approval to borrow funds was conditioned upon the funds being withdrawn or borrowed within two years of the date of approval that originally occurred in September 2012. So, while we do not need to make a decision imminently, we cannot delay it forever either.”
The Brownwood City Council unanimously approved entering into a professional services agreement with Hearn Engineering in January of last year for a preliminary design of a new water treatment facility. The city has been developing a plan to treat and reuse the city’s wastewater to help extend the life of the city’s water supply because of low lake levels and current drought conditions.
Lake Brownwood is currently more than 10 feet below spillway level before rains began Tuesday, but dropped to a startling 17 feet low in 2011 which prompted much of the need to search for alternative water sources.
Leaders at the city of Brownwood and the BCWID suggested hosting a joint meeting or workshop in the near future to put some ideas on the table about working more closely together on the issue.
Pictured at top – Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes addresses the Brown County Water Improvement District #1 board of directors Tuesday night.
