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Council green-lights Type 1 reuse pilot planning and invites vendor visit to Cedar Breaks
Summary
After a technical briefing, council asked staff to pursue a pilot conversion to Type 1 effluent reuse (recommended pilot at Cedar Breaks), invited a vendor to demonstrate equipment the week of June 15, and directed staff to advance TCEQ permitting and grant-readiness work.
Council received an extended technical briefing and public comment on converting treated wastewater effluent to Type 1 reuse and on pilot options. Staff explained regulatory testing requirements, distribution and operational implications of Type 1, and capital costs. A vendor quote was referenced in the meeting (approximate unit cost cited in discussion: $750,000'$1,000,000) to install a modular filter unit; staff described two general physical approaches: (1) install filters at the wastewater treatment plant so Type 1 leaves the plant and fills tanks or reduces organics in ponds before distribution; or (2) install filters at the pond outlet so water is converted to Type 1 just before distribution to parks and irrigation.
Key technical issues discussed included the need for extra testing and operations procedures if Type 1 is distributed, training and staffing needs for ongoing monitoring, whether an installed unit at the plant would prevent plastics and organics from reaching ponds, and the tradeoffs between concrete tanks versus open pond storage. Staff recommended a pilot at Cedar Breaks because it is a contained, high-benefit site (near parks and potential reuse destinations). Council asked staff to schedule a vendor visit to demonstrate equipment and discuss distributed-pond solutions and regulatory/testing practice; staff indicated the vendor could visit the week of June 15.
Council also discussed grant opportunities and the larger funding picture, including a potential federal or state grant match; staff said a feasibility study, engineering proposals and grant application preparation would be needed for competitive funding. Several council members emphasized the urgency of resolving water/wastewater capacity questions before approving large development or comp-plan changes.
What happens next: staff will invite the vendor to present on-site, continue coordination with the city attorney on TCEQ permitting and timeline, and prepare a feasibility scope and cost estimate for council consideration and for any grant application.
