Rapid growth in North Texas highlights need for investment in water infrastructure
By North Texas Municipal Water District
May 19, 2017
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NTMWD making plant upgrades and securing new supplies to meet future demands

WYLIE, TX –  As North Texas grows, so must its water and wastewater infrastructure. The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) is joining hundreds of organizations across the country in supporting Infrastructure Week 2017, an opportunity for NTMWD to highlight the need for infrastructure investment in our service area. 

A recent poll released by the Value of Water Campaign showed respondents highly support investment in water systems across the nation. In fact, the report indicates 82 percent of Americans view rebuilding water systems as extremely or very important.

 

The recent opening of the new Toyota Headquarters in Plano, The Dallas Cowboys “Star” in Frisco, the State Farm complex in Richardson along with other planned corporate relocations and new residents flocking to the region all require significant investments in infrastructure. NTMWD has been planning and constructing critical projects to prepare for the growing needs for water and wastewater services.

 

NTMWD currently serves over 1.6 million North Texans with a regional system that includes 573 miles of water transmission pipelines, 14 water pump stations and six water treatment plants, as well as over 250 miles of wastewater pipelines and 14 wastewater treatment facilities.

This year, NTMWD is investing $365 million on water infrastructure improvements and $160 million in wastewater infrastructure. The District is planning $700 million in work next year to address critical water and wastewater system needs.

 

“Our District is making these significant investments to help serve current customers and new corporate and residential customers coming to our area,” said Tom Kula, Executive Director of NTMWD. “In the next 50 years the population in the NTMWD service area is expected to double, so we must act now to meet those future needs,” Kula added.

 

Included in these investments is a proposed $1.2-billion new reservoir in Fannin County. NTMWD is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on final permitting for the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir to provide more water supplies for the future. Another key water project in construction is the $150-million Trinity River Main Stem pump station and pipeline which will divert water from the Trinity River south of Dallas to the East Fork Water Reuse Project (also called the "wetlands") to supplement existing supplies.

 

In addition, three NTMWD wastewater treatment plants are undergoing major upgrades to increase capacity. Those include the Stewart Creek West Wastewater Treatment plant in Frisco, the Rowlett Creek Treatment plant in Plano, and the Wilson Creek Regional Wastewater plant near Allen.

 

NTMWD is working with the cities it serves to inform the public about the critical infrastructure investments needed to maintain reliability and prepare for the growth occurring across our region. For more information about NTMWD projects, visit www.ntmwd.com