City staff told the meeting on July 1 that direct potable reuse (DPR) — sending treated wastewater through additional treatment so it can be blended into the drinking water supply — is technically feasible but would require substantial modifications to both the wastewater and drinking‑water treatment plants.

Why it matters: DPR can provide an additional supply source during droughts, but staff said it involves complex permitting and technical interfaces between systems. Adopting DPR would change operating responsibilities, require storage and flow control to balance treatment loads, and demand new pumps, tanks and control systems as well as major pipeline connections between plants.

Staff explained the likely requirements in three areas: wastewater‑plant modifications (additional pumps, storage tanks and interface controls to deliver treated effluent for polishing), engineering and permitting work for DPR systems and the pipeline/infrastructure needed to transfer water between treatment locations. Staff noted sandstone geology in some potential transmission corridors and long pipelines of 15–20 miles to bring water from remote sources would be expensive and require easements and environmental studies.

Staff said DPR also requires permit changes for both the wastewater plant and the drinking‑water plant, and that those changes take time. Staff identified contracting options as one path: contracting for water from an outside provider (LCRA was discussed as a procurement source for firm yield) or building pipeline infrastructure to a contracted supply. Staff said DPR was “doable” in principle but would require engineering, permits, infrastructure and secure funding before being implemented.

Ending: Staff recommended DPR be considered among a menu of supply alternatives but said it should follow targeted engineering studies, permitting analysis and securing of funding sources. No formal action to pursue DPR was recorded during the meeting.