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Council hears proposal to capture brackish water for local use, seeks authority to negotiate public–private deal
Summary
Council members and staff discussed a multi-stage proposal to capture brackish water from mining pits, build a high-capacity pipeline and treatment trains, and explore a public–private partnership; presenters described technical capacity, timelines and funding sources but no final agreement was recorded.
Council members discussed a city-led public–private partnership to capture brackish water produced by local aggregate pits, treat it and distribute it to Pecos and nearby communities. Charles (council member) asked the council to give staff authority to negotiate a partnership; presenters said the resource could support current city demand and substantially more industrial use.
The project presenter described current and potential supplies and demand: the city’s current daily demand is about 2,000,000 gallons per day (gpd); prior studies showed capacity to add about 8,000 residents (roughly 3,500,000 gpd total deliverable), and the presenter said the mining operation has identified roughly 20,000,000 gpd of brackish water production. "We've identified 20,000,000 gallons of water a day production right now," the presenter said.
Presenters proposed a phased approach: (1) obtain TCEQ approval for a supply site as drinking water (presenter estimated roughly two months for site approval), (2) complete engineering submissions (estimated six months), and (3) construct treatment and pipeline infrastructure (one to one-and-a-half years), with a total timeline of about two years to full operational status after approvals. The presenter recommended a 42-inch HDPE transmission main from the pits to the city, rated to roughly 100 psi, with staged treatment trains (for example, two 5-million-gallon-per-day trains to start) and expansion as demand grows.
Cost and financing were discussed. The presenter described accessing Texas Water Development Board financing (low-interest loans, cited as 0–3% over long terms) and possible USDA loans; he also described the need to plan for disposal of reverse-osmosis reject (estimated backwash/disposal between 20% and 40% of treated volume, depending on total dissolved solids). The presentation included a project-cost figure presented to the council; the presenter stated a total-build figure during the meeting. Council and staff discussed technical risks (pipeline right-of-way, future TxDOT or railroad relocations), disposal and power costs, and options to sell raw water to industrial users (for example, data centers) at a separate price.
Several private-sector representatives and county officials participated: representatives from BB Materials (pit operator), WTC (well-field consultant, Randy Schaeffer), and developer partners described resource availability and operations. Multiple council members expressed interest in negotiating terms and exploring a multi-jurisdictional partnership with Reeves County to serve Orla and other nearby communities. The council did not approve a final agreement during the meeting; the discussion concluded with staff being asked to return with recommended next steps, and council members indicating willingness to consider negotiating authority for staff to proceed with drafting partnership terms.
