Staff reports progress on multi‑phase water purification plant expansion; safety and schedule updates

Utility staff provided a quarterly update on the multi‑phase expansion of Weatherford's water purification plant, outlining progress, schedules and safety measures.

Rick Schafer said Phase 1 (GAC contactors) is complete and GMPs for early work are approved. GMP3 — the above‑ground filter process building — is in bid review and staff expects to present a contract for board consideration next month with an online target of July 2026. He said phases 4 and 5 are in preliminary design and scheduled for completion by summer 2028, and staff is exploring combining GMPs 4 and 5 to accelerate the schedule.

Schafer described site stabilization work and material movements: "We've added about 15,000 cubic yards of soil to that site" to enlarge and stabilize the embankment, and roughly 1,900 cubic yards have been removed for excavation where the new process building will sit.

Schafer also described a planned safety change: the plant will convert from ammonia gas to a liquid ammonium sulfate product to avoid on‑site gaseous cylinders. He said the city expects Trident filters to arrive in October and electrical equipment next February per the procurement schedule.

Board members asked for further detail on backwash facilities and reuse; staff said the backwash improvements will expand capacity, decant water to a rapid‑mix vault to reduce use of lagoon discharge and preserve water‑rights reuse capacity. No board action was required; staff will return with contract recommendations and budget updates as procurements advance.