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EPA grants $1 million; Lampasas hears wastewater solids-handling plan as costs rise

City Council of Lampasas · October 28, 2025

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Summary

Consultants reported a $1 million EPA grant award for a new solids-handling facility; equipment procurement and optional conveyor alternates pushed equipment-phase costs higher, and consultants warned total project cost estimates exceed earlier projections.

Consultants leading Lampasas' wastewater solids-handling design updated the City Council on Oct. 27 after the city received a $1 million EPA grant for a solids/dewatering project.

Jason Jones of Jones Zebra told council: "We expected to see a million dollar grant. That's what we got." He described a two-phased procurement approach required by federal grant conditions: procure equipment first (contract A) and then bid civil and building work (contract B). Jones said the award window for the grant spending period runs from June 1, 2025, to June 2027.

The presentation reviewed the existing belt-press building (about 25 years old), proposed placement of a new dewatering building, possible replacement technology (a screw press), polymer feed systems, sludge pumps, and automated dumpster-conveying options. Jones said the equipment procurement 'must-have' line is approximately $620,000 and that an added dumpster-conveyor alternate presented at roughly $350,000 (two side-by-side units) would be bid as an alternate. He reported total combined contract A and B cost shown in the presentation as about $3,800,000, noting that earlier estimates had been closer to $3.5 million and that staff would need to rein costs in where possible.

Jones summarized schedule implications: equipment procurement documents would go to market within about a month, with pricing expected by year-end and recommendations likely in January; the building construction could be roughly 240 days when it proceeds. He said long-lead equipment would ideally be on order before bidding civil work so contractors could design around the selected equipment.

Council did not take final action on the project at the meeting; staff and consultants stressed further procurement detail, alternate bidding strategy for the conveyor, and budget reconciliation would be necessary before contract awards.