Council approves application for $1 million TWDB principal‑forgiveness grant to study emerging contaminants including lithium

City staff presented a resolution authorizing an application to the Texas Water Development Board for a $1,000,000 principal‑forgiveness grant to study treatment options for emerging contaminants. Mr. Weems said the project stems from the federal unregulated contaminant monitoring rule and that tests showed the city had some detections of lithium; the grant would support feasibility studies and pilot testing to identify an appropriate treatment process, likely a membrane‑style approach.

Councilmember Rascon moved to adopt Resolution R26‑698 to pursue the principal‑forgiveness grant; the motion was seconded and council approved the resolution. Staff said the pilot and feasibility work would inform later decisions about any large‑scale treatment plant and that membrane technology (not necessarily traditional RO) was expected to be among the leading options explored. The resolution directs staff to proceed with the grant application; further project scope and funding decisions would return to council if the grant moves to later stages.

Why it matters: detecting emerging contaminants can trigger significant treatment and capital planning; this grant would help the city evaluate options and reduce capital costs if forgivable funding is secured.