The city of Mineral Wells, Texas, is entering the design phase for a water system improvement project following the approval of $58.8 million in state funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Construction is slated for early 2027.
The TWDB will deliver the financial assistance, in the form of grants and principal forgiveness, to Mineral Wells for the project, which seeks to replace over 11,800 feet of water mains, repair storage tanks, replace 3,100 system meters and address leaks citywide.
The project will address two aging facilities, the Hilltop Water Treatment Plant (HWTP) and the Brazos Pump Station (BPS). The facilities service over 7,000 connections for the local community, however the facilities do not meet regulatory requirements or resilience goals, according to planning documents.
Planned work for the HWTP includes modernizing aging infrastructure, ensuring compliance with safe drinking water standards and enhancing treatment capacity for water sourced from the Turkey Peak Reservoir. According to application documents, the project features the replacement of four water clarifiers at the HWTP to improve pre-treatment processes.
Mineral Wells is also planning to evaluate a four-mile raw water transmission main line delivering water from the BPS to the Hilltop Reservoir to enhance system reliability. Project documents suggest either an expansion or replacement could be necessary to meet regulatory requirements and capacity needs.
As part of the city’s engagement with the state, city officials will develop an asset management plan for both facilities and additional planned upgrades. Closing for the project will conclude on March 31. City officials anticipate completing the design phase by Oct. 1 before initiating construction in early 2027.
The TWDB funds water, wastewater and water treatment projects statewide, offering grants, loans and principal loan forgiveness for qualifying entities engaging in an eligible project. In the TWDB’s December approvals, the state awarded nearly $240 million in financial assistance for 11 projects statewide.
Some of the other highest-funded projects include:
- $90 million for a flood mitigation project in Tarrent, Denton, Parker and Wise counties.
- $49 million to the city of Abilene for improvements and upgrades to the city’s water system.
- $16 million for wastewater system improvements in Liberty County.
- $11.8 million to the Upper Leon River Municipal Water District for water system improvements.
Photo by Hicham Oukachi from Pexels
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