City Council awards $770K contract to Bell Contractors for golf course irrigation improvements

The Killeen City Council meeting on July 15, 2025, focused on a significant development regarding the irrigation system for the local golf course. The council discussed a new plan to utilize treated reuse water for irrigation, which aims to reduce reliance on potable water while complying with state regulations.

In 1990, the city entered a 99-year agreement allowing a golf course to pump water from Willows Lake for irrigation. However, in February 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) informed the city that reuse water could no longer be used for this purpose due to the lake's classification as waters of the state. Consequently, the city switched to using potable water for irrigation.

To address this issue, city officials have researched alternatives to resume the use of reuse water while adhering to TCEQ guidelines. The proposed solution involves redirecting the current reuse water discharge location and constructing a new 100,000-gallon ground storage tank near the golf course. This setup will allow the golf course to irrigate without directly discharging into the lake, thus avoiding classification as waters of the state.

In June 2025, the city received two bids for the project, with Bell Contractors Inc. submitting the lowest bid of $770,362.29. The council recommended awarding the contract to Bell Contractors and authorized the city manager to execute the construction contract and any necessary change orders.

Council members expressed support for the project, noting that the use of treated water is beneficial and that the plan will help maintain the lake's water levels. The city assured that the agreement to keep the lake filled would still be met, as surface water from rain events would contribute to maintaining the lake's levels.

Overall, the council's decision to move forward with the reuse water project is expected to enhance the sustainability of the golf course's irrigation system while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.