Freeport council authorizes application for $16.38M water-line replacement project

The Freeport City Council voted unanimously July 6 to authorize staff to apply to the Texas Water Development Board for a competitive one-time water supply and infrastructure grant to support a proposed citywide water-line replacement and fire-protection project.

City staff outlined the proposed scope: abandonment or replacement of about 52,310 linear feet of water lines four inches in diameter or smaller; installation of about 41,310 linear feet of proposed six-inch lines; about 5,340 linear feet of proposed eight-inch lines; about 1,560 linear feet of proposed 12-inch lines; roughly 534 service reconnections; installation of approximately 67 water valves; and about 26 new fire hydrant assemblies with relocation of two existing hydrants. The estimated total project cost is $16,380,870, which includes engineering, environmental study, construction, grant administration and escrow fees.

Staff stressed that submitting the application does not guarantee funding and that acceptance of an award and any required local match would be brought back to the council for further consideration before construction begins. The resolution simply permits the city manager to submit the grant application so Freeport can pursue outside funding for what staff described as "significant water infrastructure improvements that would otherwise require substantial local investment."

Councilman McDonald moved to authorize the application and Councilman Davis seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

If funded, the project aims to improve fire flow, eliminate dead-end mains, add hydrant coverage and increase overall resiliency of the water distribution system. Staff said engineering details, match requirements (if any), and specific construction phasing would be presented to council as part of any future award acceptance process.