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Odessa council authorizes application for northeast water tower and loop, estimated $45M
Summary
City staff asked for permission to apply for a Texas Water Development Board loan to design and build a proposed 2 million-gallon tower and looping pipeline in the city's northeast; council authorized submitting the application but staff said final approval and project acceptance would return to council.
The Odessa City Council on the evening agenda authorized staff to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board to design and construct a proposed 2,000,000-gallon elevated water storage tank and related pipeline looping on the city's northeast side.
Alex Rowlett, representing the utilities department, told the council the project is intended to "ensure that we have adequate water pressure and storage for the future demand and development of this area." He said the engineer's current estimate for the tank and associated pipeline work is in the mid-$40 million range — the presentation included a figure cited by staff of roughly $45,002,611 (later referenced during Q&A as $45,951,660). Rowlett stressed that the council's action would only authorize the submission of an application; acceptance of financing and any construction contract would return to council for separate approval.
Council members asked about the location and how the infrastructure ties into other projects. Rowlett described the proposed site as northeast of the city near 100th Street and the Hurt Ranch area, "above the sports complex," and said the project would loop in water main from 100th Street up to the proposed tank site and back into the system. Council and staff linked the tower to planned development, a new sports complex, and improvements at the Yukon pump station; staff noted the project will support future housing and commercial growth.
Council moved and the motion to authorize the TWDB loan application carried without recorded opposition. City staff said the application process is the step needed to preserve the funding opportunity; if the city later chooses not to proceed, the application can remain on file and be refreshed in a subsequent cycle.
What's next: staff will submit the application, return to council with details if the city is offered financing, and bring any construction contracts and budget adjustments back for formal approval.
