Ennis leaders raise stormwater utility, flood studies and a citywide lead-service-line inventory

City Manager Nelson told the Ennis City Commission on June 18 that the city needs a dedicated funding mechanism to pay for repeated flood mitigation work and to comply with federal drinking-water rules.

Nelson said the city’s 2021 stormwater master plan identified 18 projects with a 2021 cost estimate of about $17,000,000 but warned that prices have risen sharply. Using Cottonwood Creek as an example, he said a 2021 estimate of about $1.2 million is now a roughly $3.2 million project. Nelson asked the commission to authorize updating the master plan and a rate study if it wants to pursue a stormwater utility, which would operate as an enterprise fund similar to existing utility and sanitation funds.

He also identified three priority study areas—South Kaufman, McKinney Street and Rumbaugh Road—and asked for permission to retain professional services to update plans and cost estimates so projects could be pursued when funding is available.

Nelson then turned to drinking-water lines and the Environmental Protection Agency’s revised lead-and-copper rule, which requires communities to compile a service-line inventory and replace any lead lines found. "We don't know how many there are," Nelson said, noting older downtown neighborhoods will be prioritized. He said the inventory and field investigation are due in October and estimated the inventory would cost about $60,000.

The city has received an invitation from the Texas Water Development Board to apply for funding. "They have approved or basically offered us that $3,000,000 in the form of a low-interest loan that we would use for the design costs and the construction cost to remove any of the lead lines that we find in our city," Nelson said. He recommended submitting a nonbinding letter of intent, teeing up an RFQ for the inventory, and completing field work by October so the city would know the scale of replacements.

Nelson summarized program timeframes: if Ennis accepts TWDB funding the replacement work for lines found would be required within three years and the loan would be repaid over up to 30 years; if the city declines outside funding it would have 10 years to complete replacements but would be responsible for the full cost.

Mayor Cameron Rayburn pressed staff on immediate public-safety concerns and whether current testing shows elevated lead. "I just want to make absolutely sure that something like that doesn't happen here," Rayburn said, referencing high-profile incidents in other towns, and added, "we are fully confident that the water is safe to consume." Public Works Director Vereen told the commission the city conducts regular (and specified) sampling and the annual consumer confidence report is mailed to residents; he said, "We've never had exceedances." The city attorney confirmed the city's legal duty centers on testing and publishing results of those tests.

Why it matters: compiling an accurate service-line inventory and updating the stormwater master plan will determine both the scale of future capital work and whether the city seeks the TWDB loan. The inventory will produce a public record used to schedule replacements and to inform residents.

What's next: Nelson asked the commission to authorize staff to submit the TWDB letter of intent, initiate procurement for the inventory, and return with updated stormwater cost estimates and formal recommendations in a future meeting.