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Tyler awards $14.75 million in water system contracts for pump station and 12‑inch loop
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Summary
The council approved two construction contracts: a $12.62 million contract to upgrade Lake Tyler raw‑water pump station VFDs and infrastructure, and a $2.13 million contract to install 12,500 feet of 12‑inch waterline to improve looping on the north and northeast sides of Tyler.
The Tyler City Council authorized two water‑system construction contracts on May 28 aimed at improving reliability and looping on the city’s northern distribution network.
Tyler Water Utilities staff recommended and council approved a $12,624,779 contract with TACNEC LLC for the Lake Tyler raw water pump station improvements, bid number 25020. The work includes replacement of end‑of‑life variable frequency drives (VFDs), a new climate‑controlled building for electrical equipment, upgraded switchgear and transformer, a standby generator with a 48‑hour fuel supply, SCADA integration, valve replacements, and site access improvements. Sealed bids were opened April 8; TACNEC was selected after the apparent low bidder submitted VFD pricing that did not meet project specifications.
Jacob Yanker of Tyler Water Utilities said the existing pump station was built in the late 1990s and supplies about half of Tyler’s drinking water with a capacity around 24 million gallons per day. He said the project includes scheduled refurbishments of motors and pumps—one per year during design and construction—to extend service life. Yanker said refurbishing the pumps is expected to gain roughly 10 years of useful life and that a 36‑month construction schedule reflects long lead times for electrical equipment.
Council also approved a $2,127,942.50 contract with A.E. Schuel & Company for a 12‑inch waterline extension (bid number 25031) to loop approximately 12,500 linear feet of 12‑inch pipe on the city’s north and northeast sides near Highway 271, Loop 323 and North Broadway/FM 14. The project will be installed largely within city right‑of‑way and private easements, with limited boring under TxDOT right‑of‑way; construction includes pavement repair and revegetation. Ten contractors bid the project; A.E. Schuel was the low bidder.
City staff described both awards as part of a proactive approach to aging infrastructure and long‑term system resiliency. “The VFDs are nearing the end of their useful life,” Yanker told the council. The pump station project includes a standby generator and other resiliency improvements, and the pipe loop project follows the distribution system master plan to improve water flow and system reliability on the affected side of town. Both motions passed by council vote.
