Amarillo fast-tracks acceptance of $20m TWDB grant for wastewater plant design

Amarillo fast-tracks acceptance of $20m TWDB grant for wastewater plant designFacing tight state deadlines, the Amarillo City Council waived standard procedural readings to secure a $20 million special appropriation for major wastewater infrastructure upgrades.

The $20 million grant is funded through the House Bill 500 General Revenue Grant Program.

Funds will be directed toward the design phase of the Amarillo Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities.

The city must submit engineering documents to the TWDB by March 16, with closing expected on April 7.

Council also approved over $266,000 in separate contracts for pump station repairs and lift station communication upgrades.

The Amarillo City Council has formally accepted a $20 million grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to finance design work for the city's wastewater treatment facilities. The funding, approved during the council's March 10 meeting, is a special appropriation under the House Bill 500 General Revenue Grant Program designated for TWDB Project No. 21906. To secure the funds, the council waived its standard second reading of the resolution due to strict state deadlines. Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper informed the council that all required administrative paperwork must be submitted to the TWDB by March 13, followed by engineering documents on March 16. The state is expected to execute closing instructions by April 7. Hooper noted that the $20 million appropriation will be utilized specifically toward the design of the wastewater treatment plant. During the meeting, the Mayor credited State Representative Caroline Fairley for sponsoring the appropriation and securing the funds for the much-needed infrastructure project. In addition to the major TWDB grant, the council approved two smaller capital investments for the city's water and wastewater networks via its consent agenda. The city awarded a $186,088.31 contract to Lonestar Armature for comprehensive mechanical and electrical repairs at the Bonham and Potter pump stations. The scope includes full motor rebuilds and bearing replacements to maintain water pressure and prevent outages ahead of peak summer water demand. Furthermore, Sentinel Power, Inc. was awarded an $80,862 contract to upgrade communication systems across the city's wastewater collection lift stations. The project will replace outdated copper phone lines with modern cellular technology to ensure reliable alerts for pump failures or sewer blockages, allowing maintenance personnel to respond quickly and prevent wastewater spills.