NEW BOSTON, Texas - Riverbend Water Resources District's Board of Directors on Wednesday hired an engineering firm for three new water projects expected to cost around $200 million.
The board approved Riverbend Executive Director/CEO Kyle Dooley to enter into contract negotiations for Pape-Dawson Engineers to be the project manager for the new water intake on Wright Patman Lake, along with a new raw water line and water treatment plant to be located at TexAmericas Center.
The project is part of Riverbend's Regional Water Master Plan, which was approved in September 2018.
Dooley said he wanted to go ahead and have the engineering firm in place and ready to go when Riverbend hears back from its application to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for money to pay for the new infrastructure. Directors voted to apply for the funds in July.
The revolving fund loan money is expected to pay all three projects. Riverbend will then repay the loan through increased water rates, which is also part of the RWMP.
A construction timeline for the three projects has not been set pending funding approval, which is expected in January, Dooley said.
Pape-Dawson Engineers, with offices in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas, are qualified to handle civil engineering, transportation, water resources, environmental and surveying projects, according to the company's website.
Dooley said Pape-Dawson was chosen for the projects because the firm hit on two key areas during its presentation: experience with right-of-way acquisition and the environmental studies required in working through the permitting process.
"They spent a lot of time in doing that and who the teams would be in working with permitting through the proper channels," he said. "That was one of the biggest things we were looking for and that's important so we can get to the construction process quicker. This is a multi-year project and keeping them on schedule is very important."
How much Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive for its engineering expertise on the new raw water intake project and the water treatment plant will be determined once the contract is negotiated with Riverbend's Dooley.
The other two firms considered for the project are CDM Smith and Garver. The contract will be brought back before the board once Dooley negotiates it with the firm.
Riverbend Director Fred Milton, who represents New Boston, thanked all the firms they considered for the work.
"I appreciate the effort of all three firms in doing some due diligence in sitting down and spending the time and effort to get us to this point," he said. "A lot of good information was presented and a lot of good technical things were laid on the table that gave us some good insight into which might be the best alternative as far as the selection process is concerned."
Board Chairman Sonja Hubbard also thanked the firms for their presentations.
"I concur," she said. "I thought they were very good presentations and it was time well spent and I'm appreciative of everybody and felt like it was very thorough in outlining not only the magnitude of what we're about to undertake, but also the professionalism in which they assisted."
In other business, the board approved the 2020-23 Strategic Plan, which had been tabled during the October meeting. During a training session in August, directors identified their strategic goals for the next three years. They include: developing water resources and rights in Wright Patman Lake; construction of a new water treatment facility including a new intake and transmission line; assessment and protection of the broader region's natural resources; educating the public on water resources; contracting and securing rights for new economic development water needs; and becoming politically strong in the water industry.
The next regular meeting will be held at noon Jan. 22, 2020, at the Riverbend Offices, 228 A Texas Ave., New Boston, Texas.