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Dallas council approves update to Water Master Plan technical memorandum
Summary
Council approved a technical memorandum updating the city's Water Master Plan capital projects and cost estimates, including discussion about replacement options for century‑old Clay Street reservoirs and possible use of James Howe Reservoir storage.
The Dallas City Council unanimously approved an update to the Water Master Plan technical memorandum on Jan. 6 that refreshes capital project lists and cost estimates last comprehensively updated in 2009.
Public Works Director Jennifer Ward presented the memorandum, framing it as a technical update focused on revised cost estimates and newly prioritized capital projects rather than a full plan rewrite. Councilors questioned specific numbers in appendix C related to Mercer Reservoir and the Clay Street reservoirs; Ward said those pages include older cost figures and that some projects had cost estimates developed outside the consultant’s scope.
Councilors also discussed alternatives to replacing the Clay Street reservoirs — each about 100 years old — including capturing storage at the James Howe Reservoir instead of replacing the Clay Street tanks. Ward said staff will continue technical work with state water resources agencies and noted that the city must also consider recent court rulings about fish passage that have bearing on reservoir projects.
The council approved the update and asked staff to continue work on outstanding technical questions, particularly those that will affect permitting and environmental review.
What’s next: staff will refine project cost estimates and coordinate with state agencies on fish‑passage requirements and permitting.
