The Brazos River Authority Board of Directors, at its January 2024 meeting, approved actions to expand its operations to meet growing needs throughout the basin.
East Williamson County Regional Water System
The Board approved a more than $15.4 million contract with CDM Smith, Inc. for the construction oversight services for the expansion of the East Williamson County Water Treatment Plant.
In 2004, the BRA purchased the water treatment plant from the city of Taylor, beginning a $17.4 million expansion and what would become the EWCRWS. In 2008, the EWCRWS was expanded from 5.3 million gallons per day (mgd) to about 13 million mgd to meet the area's growing needs.
This project will allow the maximum amount of water that can be treated to increase another 10 million gallons per day, said Brad Brunett, BRA's central and lower basin regional manager. This should satisfy the growing needs of Williamson County until about 2035. With that in mind, consideration is already being given to a future expansion to build out the system to bring the plant to the capability of 40 million gallons per day, Brunett said.
Those who receive water from the plant include the City of Taylor, the Jonah Water Special Utility District, and the Lone Star Regional Water Authority.
As part of the BRA's mission to develop, manage, and protect the Brazos River Basin, the Board also approved funding to expand its environmental capabilities.
More than $11.3 million was approved for a contract with Mazanec Construction Company, Inc. for construction services required to expand the environmental laboratory at the BRA's Central Office in Waco.
The project will include two buildings, said Tiffany Malzahn, BRA's environmental and compliance manager. One to meet the expanding needs of the lab and national accreditation standards and the second to house the department's boats and provide the staff with needed workshop areas. The two buildings, which will be located directly next door to the Central Office, will also provide new office space. Once complete, this expansion will free up space within the main Central Office building to house future additional personnel for projects like the upcoming Allens Creek Reservoir project.
"This will give us the ability to expand our analytical capabilities and sample volume capabilities," Malzahn said. "It will improve operational efficiency and ensure ability and readiness to adapt to the future."
Also at the meeting, the Board:
- accepted the BRA's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended August 31, 2023, and approved its filing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
- approved revisions to the BRA's human resources policy manual.
- ratified the 2024 rates of $30.37 per acre-foot for Election Use Water and $15.18 per acre-foot for Option Use Water as adjusted in accordance with the formula stated in the existing Replacement Water Supply Agreements.
The next Brown Bag on the Brazos virtual public meeting will be held at noon Thursday, February 8, 2024. In the meantime, for updates on BRA current projects, go here. For information on the current drought situation, see our drought update videos here.
For a complete list of Board actions from the meeting, go here. Or watch the full board meeting here. Sign up to receive email Board meeting notices here.
Still have questions? Email information@brazos.org.