Crockett council hears water-infrastructure, grant and groundwater export concerns

City staff briefed the Crockett City Council on water-system planning, potential grants, coordination with the local water district and legal work related to proposed groundwater export drilling.

The city reported applying to the Texas Water Development Board for projects including a wastewater treatment-plant rebuild, water system work and an asset-management plan to inventory pumps, wells, motors and pipes and estimate replacement schedules and costs. Staff said the city could apply for a roughly $500,000 grant for which the city's match would be about $50,000 (a 10% match), and that receiving the grant would fund part of the work.

Officials urged forming a steering committee with the Houston County Water Control Improvement District No. 1 and community members to review engineers' assessments together and make fact-based decisions about future water sources and capital spending. City staff noted the city has an interlocal agreement with the water district to share water when needed, but emphasized the city is not pursuing consolidated water at this time.

On export concerns, staff said the city has retained legal counsel as part of a multi-member group opposing an application tied to large-scale groundwater export. The city's counsel participates with 16 other members in challenging applications that were initially declared administratively complete. Staff said the Groundwater Conservation District previously agreed to void those applications and revisit them after a groundwater study is completed; the district's motion called for a study of the aquifer system before permits proceed. Staff said the voiding affected actions on the Anderson County side but noted that permitting requirements differ in Houston County where the applicants might not be required to apply before drilling.

Why it matters: City staff said an asset-management plan would allow Crockett to anticipate infrastructure replacement costs instead of responding retroactively to failures. The potential for large groundwater export projects prompted legal engagement and interlocal coordination because export-related pumping could affect the city's long-term water supply and cost structure.

Details and council discussion: The staff presentation referenced roughly $4 million in previously earmarked funds for a well and asked whether to spend that money on drilling a new well or invest some portion in district infrastructure to stabilize supply. Staff said Sanderson Farms and a proposed set of export wells are part of the contested activity; two test wells had been drilled, staff said, and the applicants planned multiple wells in a phased permitting approach (test drilling, pumping permits, exportation), which would require easements for pipeline or trucking to transport water if approved.

Staff recommended the council commit to a joint steering committee with the water district and community members to review engineers' reports and plan next steps. No formal vote on consolidation or large capital projects was taken at the meeting; staff said further agenda items on street prioritization and precinct fund allocation would appear on the December agenda.

Ending: The council asked staff to continue legal monitoring and coordinate the proposed steering committee; staff said they would bring additional information, including engineers' assessments, back to council.