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Bruceville‑Eddy council approves mobile generator purchase and docking‑station installs for water wells
Summary
Council approved purchasing a used 264 kW mobile generator (recommended unit: 2014 Multiquip, $59,500) and authorized Alliance Electric Group to install quick‑connect docking stations at four well sites for $71,950 to comply with TCEQ emergency‑preparedness requirements.
Mayor Owens presided as the council approved a package of emergency‑power measures Friday intended to address TCEQ findings and improve reliability at the city’s water wells.
City Administrator Lawrence summarized the need after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality cited the city for failing to implement its emergency‑preparedness plan; the plan had called for a backup mobile generator. Lawrence reviewed market options and recommended a used 2014 Multiquip 264 kW trailer‑mounted unit with about 6,300–6,400 operating hours for $59,500. He told the council the vendor would extend the unit’s usual 30‑day warranty to 90 days.
Lawrence said the unit is towable with the city’s existing one‑ton truck and provides a quick way to restore power at multiple sites in an outage. "I talked to TCEQ Waco and Austin and told them I would update them tomorrow," Lawrence said, arguing the purchase demonstrated the city’s commitment to restoring compliance.
Council also approved a separate $71,950 estimate from Alliance Electric Group to install three‑phase, 480‑volt manual transfer switches with cam‑lock quick connects and related electrical modifications at four well sites (Hudson Lane, Westridge, Old Bethany and Tolbert). Lawrence said the docking stations will allow crews to plug the mobile generator into multiple sites safely and without extensive field wiring.
Resident electrician Rick Edmonston, who spoke during the discussion, noted the temporary docking design should allow future conversion to permanent, site‑mounted generators without extensive rework. Council members asked about exclusions in the bid related to starting aids or soft‑starts at individual wells; staff said some wells (Tolbert and Westridge) may still require additional starting aids and that the estimate could change if those items are needed.
Both the purchase of the generator and the Alliance Electric installation estimate passed by unanimous vote.
The city will collect delivery and installation details and proceed with procurement and coordination with TCEQ as the generator is put into service.
