DeSoto approves water master plan update and $459k sewer inspection van

DeSoto approves water master plan update and $459k sewer inspection vanThe Texas municipality is investing in proactive infrastructure management, authorizing a contract with Garver LLC to update its water distribution strategy and purchasing closed-circuit television equipment to prevent sanitary sewer overflows.

The City Council approved a $216,901 total project budget for Garver LLC to update the city's water distribution master plan.

The master plan update will account for recently completed capital projects, including the Hampton Road Pump Station and the upcoming Westmoreland Pump Station.

A $459,956 contract was awarded to Rush Truck Center for a CCTV inspection van to assess the sanitary sewer collection system without requiring costly excavations.

The council ratified a $76,357 emergency repair contract with Texas Standard Construction for a 12-inch water main break on Hampton Road.

The City of DeSoto, Texas, is advancing its proactive management of municipal water and wastewater infrastructure following unanimous City Council approvals on March 3, 2026, for a water master plan update and new sewer inspection equipment. The council authorized a professional services agreement with Garver LLC to update the city's water distribution master plan. The engineering firm brings extensive experience with Texas municipalities, having previously developed comprehensive master plans for the Trinity River Authority and the City of Sherman using detailed hydraulic modeling and dynamic capital improvement planning tools. The DeSoto agreement includes a $197,183 contract and establishes a total project budget of $216,901. Funded by a 2025 bond sale that allocated $300,000 for the project, the study will comprehensively evaluate the city's water storage, supply, pumping, and conveyance systems to ensure compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulatory criteria. According to city staff, the master plan was last updated in 2021, yielding 27 project recommendations over a 25-year lifespan. The 2026 update will account for recently completed and ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Hampton Road Pump Station completed in 2024, the Westmoreland Pump Station slated for completion in August 2026, and the Bolton Boone infrastructure improvements currently in design. To address wastewater collection, the council also authorized a $459,956 contract with Rush Truck Center for a closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection van. The vehicle will be outfitted by Richardson-based CLS Equipment Company with high-resolution cameras to inspect underground sanitary sewer lines. Staff noted the equipment will allow the Public Utilities Department to identify structural integrity issues, blockages, and cracks without disruptive excavations. The preventative maintenance capabilities are expected to help the city avoid sanitary sewer overflows and pipe failures while informing future capital replacement decisions for aging infrastructure. The purchase came in under the $475,000 allocated in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Additionally, the council ratified an emergency procurement on its consent agenda for water main repair services. The $76,357 contract with Texas Standard Construction covered the emergency repair of a 12-inch water line on Hampton Road following a severe ice storm in January.