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City staff recommends $251,360 contract for 30-month in-stream water monitoring study
Summary
City staff recommended a $251,360 contract with consulting firms for a 30-month in-stream monitoring and biological study to support TCEQ reporting and potential modeling; the study would require monthly sampling and state-certified labs.
City staff told the Conroe City Council on July 23 they recommend approving a consulting proposal to perform in-stream monitoring, additional biological data collection and water-quality modeling tied to wastewater discharge permits.
"This proposal in front of you... is a 30-month process that requires monthly sampling and monitoring," said city staff (Mr. McGuire), summarizing the scope. Staff identified Corolla Engineers as the prime consultant and a partnered environmental firm to perform technical work and laboratory coordination.
Cost and scope: Staff recommended approval of a $251,360 contract to perform monitoring, laboratory testing, technical reports and potential modeling. McGuire told council that roughly $109,198 of the total is allocated to the core study elements and that an additional modeling line item was included should the state (TCEQ) require it. The work is intended to document biological and chemical conditions upstream and downstream of wastewater discharge points and to produce data required for TCEQ permit determinations.
Regulatory context: McGuire said the study's results will be used for modeling required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and to demonstrate whether wastewater discharges are affecting aquatic life in the receiving streams. When asked about flow gauges, staff said there are two USGS gauges in the Conroe area (San Jacinto River locations) but that the current study focuses on biological monitoring rather than flow-control measures.
Council questions and funding: A council member asked whether the study funds will come from the general fund or the water-and-sewer fund; staff said the charge will come from the water/wastewater reserves. McGuire recommended denial of a separate development appeal earlier in the meeting on water and platting grounds, stressing the project seeking release from the moratorium had not completed infrastructure nor met platting requirements.
Ending: Staff recommended approval of the contract; the council asked clarifying questions. No formal vote on the contract was recorded in the meeting transcript.
