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PUB work session: Ray Roberts upgrades, membrane pilot, chemical conversions and a $700M water CIP
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Summary
Water‑utilities staff told the Public Utilities Board the Ray Roberts plant upgrades are nearly complete, a membrane pilot and a full‑plant expansion are underway, a chemical conversion will replace gaseous disinfectants with liquid alternatives, and the city’s five‑year water CIP was ballparked near $700 million.
At a work session during the Denton City Public Utilities Board meeting on April 27, water‑utilities staff presented progress updates and planning for multiple water projects, including near‑term completion of upgrades at the Ray Roberts plant, a six‑month membrane pilot for a planned expansion, chemical‑handling improvements and dewatering work at the Lake Lewisville plant.
Katie Coke, project manager for water utilities, said the Ray Roberts capacity and performance upgrade (begun September 2024) is wrapping up roughly a year ahead of schedule with replacements to valves, actuators and filter media, installation of backwash storage and conversion of high‑service pumps to variable‑frequency drives. “We have successfully tested both of them as of last week, and everything is working great,” she said, adding the plant may gain roughly 6 million gallons per day pending a TCEQ rerating.
Coke described a chemical improvements project to convert gaseous chlorine and hydrous ammonia to liquid disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite and ammonium sulfate) to reduce transport/handling hazards. The initial solicitation returned only one high bid and was rejected; staff is preparing a design amendment and intends to rebid in the fall, with construction expected to take about 2–3 years and completion around 2028 if schedules hold.
On the Ray Roberts expansion, Coke said the city will effectively construct a new low‑pressure membrane plant—adding raw‑water and high‑service pumping, new clear wells, flocculation basins and membranes—and is running a required six‑month pilot study to validate membranes and inclined‑plate settlers with the local raw water. She said the city has closed on an initial SWIFT loan and is working with a CMAR; cost estimates and GMPs will be presented as the 30% cost model is finalized.
Coke also described a Lake Lewisville dewatering improvements project (about 60% design) to improve solids handling and to stop use of a purchased pond; she said staff will apply in July for a one‑time Texas Water Development Board funding opportunity that totals $1,000,000,000 statewide and for which Denton City is eligible for up to $35,000,000 toward this project.
Kyle Pedigo, planning and engineering division manager, summarized master‑plan analysis showing growth outpacing prior projections in outer areas and slower infill, driving the need to accelerate conveyance and transmission lines. He said an AMI implementation was approved by council and will begin this year, pipe‑lining (CIPP) is planned next year, and several transmission projects will be phased to avoid overbuilding ahead of development. When asked for a financial framework, staff estimated the five‑year water CIP to be roughly $700 million and agreed to return with more detailed financials per project.
The board asked detailed questions about mapping, developer coordination, timing and financing; staff committed to follow‑up and to provide project-level financial information at upcoming meetings.
