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Fredericksburg council presses staff to study large-scale water projects, tighten conservation enforcement
Summary
At a multi‑hour council work session, members discussed a multi‑pronged approach to water: begin a long‑term water‑supply study, evaluate a new well field and a reclaimed‑water wastewater plant, and strengthen enforcement and public outreach on outdoor watering.
The Fredericksburg City Council on Wednesday opened discussion on an array of water priorities as it begins preparing the next budget: hiring a consultant to lead a long‑term water‑supply study, pursuing at least one new high‑capacity well, and studying options for treated wastewater reuse and possible direct potable reuse.
Council members said they wanted detailed cost, timeline and funding options before committing to major projects. Staff said a wastewater treatment plant capable of producing reuse or tertiary water would be expensive — estimated previously at about $50 million and now “a little bit over a hundred million” — and that the city would also evaluate lower‑cost alternatives such as piping effluent for irrigation and aquifer storage and recovery.
Why the city is studying larger options now
The discussion followed months of public attention to the city’s watering stages and drought messaging and came as staff proposed a formal long‑term water supply study. City staff said the study would evaluate the full range of supply and demand options — replacing aging…
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