Katy approves contract for Water Well No. 11 and debates surface-water transition, rates and subsidence

The City of Katy on Tuesday approved a resolution awarding the contract for Water Well No. 11 and heard extended discussion about the city—s future surface-water supply obligations, potential rate impacts and subsidence requirements.

Council approved awarding the well contract to Weisinger, Inc., of Willis, Texas, for a base bid of $5,807,700 and a total project cost of $6,339,695. City staff said the total project cost includes the bid amount, a recommended 5% contingency and previously approved engineering and construction-phase services of $241,610 (approved Aug. 12, 2024, under Resolution 16-41). Funding sources cited in the meeting packet were Series 2016 bonds ($1,000,000) and enterprise fund reserves ($5,098,085).

City staff described the project as a test well and a preparatory step for future expanded water production at the 3120 Fifth Road site. "This entails the drilling of the brand-new water well ... and it sets up this site for a future major city water production facility," a city staff member said, listing a control building, parking, masonry fence, electrical for a future booster pump,…