Pecos council authorizes application for $15 million state water grant to replace aging transmission line

Pecos City Council on Thursday authorized the city manager to submit an application to the Texas Water Development Board for a $15,000,000 Water Supply and Infrastructure grant aimed at replacing the Ward County wellfield transmission line.

Assistant City Manager Nicole Ferminius told the council the proposed project targets a single-point vulnerability: roughly 19.5 miles of 24-inch asbestos-cement pipe that staff say is beyond its expected service life and has experienced repeated leaks. “This is an extremely timely chance to secure significant external investment so that we can improve that reliability and, frankly, the resilience of our system in the long term,” Ferminius said.

Utilities staff described repeated leaks that have required multi-day repairs and estimated water losses in the range of about 900,000 to 1,000,000 gallons for a typical extended repair. A resident and utility employee who spoke during the presentation said leaks have happened “maybe about 7” times in the past two years and recalled crews working through holidays to restore service.

Ferminius said the city plans to seek the full $15 million award and to hire professional services needed to complete the shovel-ready application; no local match is required. She also said staff have begun engineering surveys and will decide whether to run a new pipeline parallel to the existing line and what material—polyethylene or PVC—would be best.

Councilman Carrasco moved and Councilman Arona seconded the motion to authorize the application and negotiate necessary professional services; the motion carried by voice vote.

The grant application is due July 30. Ferminius and staff said they will return to the council with timeline details and any additional budget or contracting steps required should the city be invited to proceed.