Council supports further study of 4,000 acre-foot raw water purchase estimated at $12 million

Copperas Cove city council on April 15 directed staff to continue studying the feasibility, financing and construction costs of purchasing 4,000 acre-feet of raw water rights, an acquisition city staff estimated would cost about $12 million for the water rights alone.

City Manager Ryan Haverlaw told council the city currently has nearly 9,000 acre-feet of raw water supply “— which is actually, we don't own the water. We own the rights to use the water” — and staff is considering the purchase of an additional 4,000 acre-feet to support future treated-water capacity and population growth. “At 4,000 acre feet, the estimated cost right now is about $12,000,000,” Haverlaw said during the presentation.

Staff and outside speakers cautioned council that the purchase price for raw water is only part of the cost: conveyance and delivery infrastructure can be substantial. Ricky Garrett, general manager of Bell County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, told the council the Brazos River Authority currently has no additional allocations available and stressed a regional approach. “The Brazos River Authority doesn't have any other water rights to allocate right now,” Garrett said. “I think the only way we can be successful is if we act regionally and we compile our interest and needs.”

Officials outlined additional financial and project considerations discussed in the meeting: - Current city raw water supply: nearly 9,000 acre-feet (city holds use rights rather than owning the underlying water in fee). - Purchase target: 4,000 acre-feet to match mid-century treated-water planning and growth forecasts. - Price estimate for the 4,000 acre-feet: approximately $12,000,000 (raw-rights cost only). - Conveyance distance: potential conveyance routes could be roughly 50–55 miles in some scenarios; final routing and cost estimates depend on partners and alignment decisions. - Local infrastructure example: staff estimated roughly $12,000,000 to extend a 24-inch line from Clear Creek to Fordham Street in Killeen (about 3–4 miles), not including full design and easement or land acquisition costs.

Staff also noted legal and financing distinctions: bond counsel has been consulted to determine whether the city could finance the purchase under applicable statutory authorities and whether the water interests would be treated as real property rights. Staff recommended longer financing terms (20 years or more) to spread repayment costs. City attorneys and bond counsel discussed that a purchase confers title to the water rights (a real-property interest) rather than a lease, which affects long-term obligations and budget planning.

Council discussion focused on balancing near-term capital priorities and long-term water security. Some council members urged caution because conveyance costs and easements remain uncertain; others argued delaying a purchase risks losing the opportunity entirely. Several councilmembers voiced support for continuing the analysis and pursuing regional coordination through the Central Texas Water Alliance and other partners. Council gave staff direction to proceed with more detailed cost, financing and route studies and to continue coordination with regional partners and Bell County WCID No. 1.

The discussion did not yield a binding purchase authorization at this meeting; council’s direction was to continue analysis and return with more detailed financing, construction and conveyance information for future budget consideration.