North Texas water district plans $1B water infrastructure investment for 2026

The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) is investing over $1 billion in water infrastructure projects in 2026. Presented before the Richardson City Council, the projects seek to expand pipeline capacity and tap into additional water resources to better service the area as population rates continue to climb.

The largest single investment is $525 million to build two new pipelines. Once built, the lines will source water from Lake Texoma, with one transporting it to the Leonard Water Treatment Plant and the other to the Wylie Water Treatment Plant.

Project officials anticipate the expansion will add roughly 90 million gallons of pipeline capacity per day by 2030. It capitalizes on additional water sources from Lavon Lake and Bois d’Arc Lake, which consist of saltier water that will be blended with water from Lake Texoma.

The plan calls for another $240 million invested in a new pipeline to help deliver water from the Bois d’Arc Lake to the eastern part of the district’s service area. The project will also expand an existing pump station at the Leonard Water Treatment Facility where the new pipeline will be built.

Along with the new pipelines and pump stations, investments are set aside for water conservation and waste management. These efforts include a future expansion of the wastewater facility at Sister Grove, expansions and improvements at the Upper East Fork Facility and construction of a fourth transfer station for solid waste.

NTMWD officials noted that the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has invited them to apply for State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) funding for the water infrastructure projects. Officials say that if approved, it would save the community about $115 million overall.

SWIFT was created by the state legislature to provide financial assistance for projects in the state water plan.

The NTMWD presented the plan at the June 23 Richardson City Council meeting. According to officials, it will guide the district’s upcoming budget-making process.

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