Title
Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Intent Related to the Provision of Treated Wastewater Effluent from the Brazos River Basin with the City of Pflugerville, Brazos River Authority, and Lower Colorado River Authority.
Body
In 1999, the passage of House Bill (HB) 1437 allowed the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to contract with and provide the Brazos River Authority (BRA) up to 25,000 acre-feet of water per year to be used anywhere within Williamson County, under certain conditions. One of those conditions specifies “no net loss” of water in the Colorado River watershed and authorizes a surcharge on sales of the water to ensure the amount transferred is conserved, replaced or offset in some manner.
The City of Round Rock obtained 20,928 acre-feet per year of the water made available through HB1437. Over the last several years, the City of Round Rock has worked with BRA and LCRA to evaluate potential ways to satisfy the “no net loss” clause for Round Rock’s contracted water. Finding the most cost effective solution will help to provide a cost savings to Round Rock, reduce future surcharge costs, and offer additional water rate stability.
In the Fall of 2021, the City of Round Rock was contacted by the City of Pflugerville with a potential means of satisfying the requirements of HB1437. The City of Pflugerville requested that it, along with the City of Round Rock, BRA and LCRA evaluate returning the City of Round Rock’s treated wastewater effluent to Lake Pflugerville. This would involve pumping treated wastewater effluent from the Brushy Creek East Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (BCERWWTP) or from Brushy Creek downstream of BCERWWTP to Lake Pflugerville which is located in the Colorado River watershed.
The Memorandum of Intent outlines the objectives required to determine if the proposed alternative is a feasible and cost effective solution to meeting the requirements of HB1437. Additional parties to the M...
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