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Weslaco approves UV modules, sludge pump purchase and seeks TWDB planning funds for South wastewater plant
Summary
The commission authorized a sole‑source purchase of UV modules (≤ $306,000), approved a sludge pump purchase (≤ $300,750), authorized solicitation of installation bids, and voted to apply to the Texas Water Development Board for up to $3.5 million in planning and design funding for the South wastewater treatment plant expansion.
Weslaco commissioners on Dec. 17 moved forward on a series of measures aimed at keeping the South wastewater treatment plant compliant and shovel‑ready for a larger rehabilitation effort.
The commission approved a sole‑source purchase of four ultraviolet (UV) disinfection modules from the plant's original vendor (Veolia/AquaRay) for a not‑to‑exceed cost of $306,000. Staff said the modules are compatible with the existing channel design and will help meet discharge and permitting requirements. "This is a compliance‑type purchase," a utilities official said; commissioners discussed the vendor's proprietary design and the need to avoid costly retrofits.
Commissioners also approved a purchase of a CPIC sludge pump for the water treatment plant from Dynamic Pump Systems under existing contract 672‑22 in an amount not to exceed $300,750. Utilities staff said the new pump replaces a single remaining pump so the plant will have a redundant pair for dewatering operations.
The commission authorized staff to solicit bids for installation labor for the UV modules; staff and commissioners noted the purchase of separate transformers and competitive quotes for that work will be brought back as additional agenda items.
Separately, the commission approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to file a funding application with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for planning, acquisition and design (PAD) of South WWTP improvements, requesting up to $3.5 million to develop designs to make the project "shovel ready" for later construction funding rounds. Staff said the long‑term plan envisions increasing capacity by roughly 2 MGD beyond the project's baseline plan. "If we get funded for PAD, we'll be shovel ready when construction funding becomes available," a consultant said.
All items passed on voice votes; the record shows commissioners asking for additional documentation on transformer quotes and installation scopes before returning with a procurement recommendation.
