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Weatherford officials present water‑supply and treatment plan, aim to accelerate expansion to meet growth and PFAS rules
Summary
Utility staff told the council Weatherford has adequate raw-water contracts and two reclaimed‑water projects returning roughly 2.5 million gallons/day to Lake Weatherford; they proposed accelerating a multi‑phase water‑treatment expansion to increase capacity from 14 MGD to 18 MGD by 2028 and highlighted GAC work timed to new EPA PFAS rules.
Utility staff reported that Lake Weatherford is the city's primary source and that Weatherford is a "full needs" customer of the Tarrant Regional Water District, meaning the district will supply water to meet demand as the city grows.
Staff described two reclaimed-water projects currently returning more than 2.5 million gallons per day to Lake Weatherford and said those volumes will grow as flow to the reclamation facility increases. "Those two projects combined are sending currently over 2.5 million gallons of water back into Lake Weatherford each day," the presenter said.
On treatment capacity, staff said the water treatment plant is currently rated at 14 million gallons per day and that a five‑phase plan would increase capacity stepwise; phases 2–4 have been combined in schedule adjustments to accelerate completion of the work now targeted for 2028 to reach roughly 18 MGD. Staff also highlighted a completed granular activated carbon (GAC) project intended to improve water aesthetic quality and place the city well to meet newly finalized EPA PFAS drinking-water regulations.
Why it matters: Council must weigh timing and funding for plant expansions against projected growth and intermittently low lake levels. Staff noted pumping from Lake Benbrook has been used in drought years and that the utility board maintains a pumping-reserve fund to smooth customer impacts.
Next steps: Staff said they will pursue a master plan for water/wastewater CIP work, seek grants (a Texas Water Development Board grant application is already submitted for master planning), and return with cost estimates and phasing for council consideration.
Ending: No formal appropriation was proposed at the retreat; staff requested council direction on how rapidly to accelerate design and construction.
