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City says raw-water pipeline and Colliers Ferry pump station nearing completion; larger water projects scheduled in CIP
Summary
Public works and water utilities staff outlined near-term raw-water projects (pump station, Pine Street raw water delivery line) and longer-term tank and transmission-line work that will affect water rates and resiliency.
Molly Villarreal, Public Works Director, and Water/Wastewater Utilities Director Mike Harris summarized major water-system capital items in the proposed five-year CIP, emphasizing projects that respond to flood damage and system resiliency needs.
Villarreal said the new raw-water pump station at Colliers Ferry Park is a large multi-million-dollar project and described the connected Pine Street raw-water delivery line as a required follow-on: "the raw water pump station, this $30,000,000 project, is for FY25. It is scheduled to finish this fiscal year," she told council, adding the new pump station cannot be put into service until the 48-inch raw-water delivery pipeline (the Pine Street raw-water line, estimated in staff materials at $23 million) is completed.
Staff also reviewed Buns Canal and Lawson's Canal improvements (channels conveying river water to the plant), annual water-line replacement and transmission-line inspection projects, and a chlorine-dioxide conversion at the Pine Street Water Treatment Plant intended to reduce persistent discolored-water events. Villarreal said the chlorine-dioxide conversion will allow iron and manganese to be removed before distribution and is scheduled for completion later in the calendar year once equipment deliveries and installations finish.
Finance and policy implications: staff cautioned that several water projects are grant-eligible (FEMA, Water Development Board) or funded by revenue bonds, but many CIP items will affect long-term water and sewer rates. Assistant City Manager June Ellis reiterated that after today's council feedback the water-and-sewer rate consultant will be asked to update projected rate adjustments tied to the CIP.
Ending: staff said they will continue to sequence construction so that new raw-water conveyance and production capacity become available before older infrastructure is taken out of service, and that tank rehabilitations and resiliency lines remain in the multi-year schedule.
