Houston appropriates $46.4 million for Trinity River Conveyance Project amid infrastructure project close-outs

Houston appropriates $46.4 million for Trinity River Conveyance Project amid infrastructure project close-outsThe council authorized significant funding for the Coastal Water Authority-operated project and accepted completed work on the $15 million Chelford City wastewater diversion.

Council appropriated $46.4 million from the Water & Sewer System Consolidation Construction Fund for the Trinity River Conveyance Project.

The completion of the Chelford City Diversion Package 3 marks the end of a $15 million wastewater consolidation effort.

Elected officials raised concerns regarding construction quality and warranty coverage following a water line break on a recently completed segment of Westheimer Road.

The council approved equipment purchases including $634,255 for submersible pumps and $190,742 for polymer activation systems.

Land acquisition was authorized for lift station rehabilitation projects tied to the city's EPA Consent Decree.

The Houston City Council has approved a significant capital expenditure for raw water supply, appropriating $46,417,000 from the Water & Sewer System Consolidation Construction Fund for the Trinity River Conveyance Project. The project is operated by the Coastal Water Authority projects. While the item passed, Council Member Abbie Kamin flagged the magnitude of the expenditure during the meeting. Kamin noted that given the item was over $46 million, she requested it be set for a committee hearing to provide an update. However, she agreed to pass the item immediately based on a request from Houston Public Works, with the understanding that the department would return to committee with a detailed update. In addition to new funding, the council accepted completed work on several major infrastructure initiatives. Council Member Tiffany Thomas celebrated the final acceptance of the contract with Markel Insurance Company for the Facilities Consolidation of the Chelford City Diversion Package 3. Thomas described the project as a $15 million investment in the wastewater system on the west side, noting that the three-package initiative is now complete. The council also accepted work on a contract with Grava, LLC for small diameter water line extensions on Westheimer Road. Grava has previously undertaken roadway rehabilitation and larger water infrastructure projects for the city, but Council Member Kamin raised concerns regarding construction coordination and quality on this segment. She highlighted that the area had undergone multiple construction phases, including a Metro corridor overlay and city water line work, yet recently experienced another water line break "in front of the Walgreens." Kamin questioned whether such failures were covered under warranty and expressed frustration that the road might need to be "ripped up again" shortly after rehabilitation. Further water infrastructure investments approved included: • $634,255 to Hahn Equipment Co., Inc. for Flygt dry-pit submersible pumps and installation services. • $190,742 to Environmental Improvement, Inc. for four polymer activation and feed skid systems. • Land acquisition for lift station rehabilitation and reconstruction design, specifically identified as a Consent Decree Project involving the Lockwood, South Point, Scott #3, Market St #2, M.U.D. #067, and Woodforest lift stations. During the financial report, the City Controller noted that operating expenditures for the Combined Utility System had decreased by $6.9 million, primarily due to personnel savings, while operating transfers decreased by $15.6 million due to lower-than-anticipated debt payments.