NTMWD commits $26.5M to pump station overhaul for resiliency

NTMWD commits $26.5M to pump station overhaul for resiliencyThe North Texas Municipal Water District has awarded contracts totalling approximately $26.5 million for the first phase of its Shallow Pump Station Improvements project. The investment, approved during its November board meeting, aims to increase pumping capacity and enhance emergency preparedness for the rapidly growing region it serves.

The board authorised a $24.66 million construction contract for Felix Construction Co. to execute Phase 1 of the improvements.

Project goals include increasing pumping capacity, decommissioning assets nearing the end of their useful life, and improving overall system resiliency.

Total approved funding for the project phase is approximately $26.5 million, including an additional $1.8 million for inspection and construction-phase engineering services.

In the same meeting, the board also approved a $6.14 million change order to complete the final pumping capacity expansion at its new Bodark Lake raw water pump station.

The investments are part of a wider capital programme that also saw progress on the new Sister Grove wastewater facility, which is now partially operational.

The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) is pushing ahead with significant upgrades to its water distribution network, authorising approximately $26.5 million for the first phase of improvements at its Shallow Pump Station. The decision, made during the district’s November board meeting, underscores a strategic focus on enhancing system resiliency and expanding capacity to serve one of the fastest-growing regions in the US. The board awarded a construction contract worth $24,659,250 to Felix Construction Co. for the project. In addition, it approved $1,025,520 for internal inspection services and a $795,786 engineering service agreement with Brown and Caldwell for construction phase services, bringing the total commitment to over $26.4 million. Reporting from the district’s water committee, Board Director Jack May stated that the project’s purpose is to “increase pumping capacity, decommission assets approaching the end of their useful life, address emergency preparedness requirements and improve overall resiliency.” The approval followed a unanimous recommendation from the committee, which had reviewed the item the previous day. This major investment in existing infrastructure was not the only significant capital outlay approved at the meeting. The board also authorised a $6,139,890 change order for Archer Western Construction LLC to complete the Bodark Lake Raw Water Pump Station Phase 2 project. This funding will cover the labour, materials, and equipment needed to install additional pumps and related components, allowing the district to achieve the final pumping capacity for its newest major reservoir. Together, the investments in the Shallow and Bodark Lake pump stations represent a dual strategy of reinforcing the existing core system while simultaneously building out new supply infrastructure. These decisions were complemented by updates on other major capital works, highlighting the breadth of the district’s ongoing program. An update was provided on the Sister Grove Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility, a major new wastewater treatment plant. The facility began receiving flows on 27 August and started discharging treated effluent on 16 September. It is currently treating approximately 3.5 million gallons per day (MGD), with plans to ramp up towards its initial phase capacity of 16 MGD. While presenters noted the project is slightly behind schedule on instrumentation and SCADA system integration, the overall completion is forecast for April 2026. The project includes three large peak flow basins with a combined capacity of 32 million gallons, designed to manage inflows during a five-year storm event. The board’s spending decisions are backed by a strong financial position. In a separate item, the board approved the release of $4.9 million in variable cost rebates to its member cities and customers for fiscal year 2025, stemming from the regional water system finishing the year under budget on variable costs. Looking ahead, future projects across Texas may benefit from newly available state funds. The district’s executive director noted the successful passage of Proposition 4, a constitutional amendment that will create a $1 billion annual state water fund for 20 years, starting in 2027, to support water projects statewide.