Water & Wastewater

The City has responsibility for operation of the water and wastewater systems in the City, including treatment and distribution of water and collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of sewage. Service is presently provided to 3,225 water customers and 2,935 sewer customers located within the City limits.

Water Supply

The water supply source for the City is surface water obtained from Lake Livingston. On February 22, 1978, the City entered into a contract with the Trinity River Authority of Texas to purchase from the Authority amounts of raw water impounded in the Livingston Reservoir.

The City is obligated to pay an annual standby charge on or before the 10th day of each February and August, beginning in August, 1978. Annual standby charges are calculated by multiplying the equivalent of the current annual average daily amount the Authority is obligated to sell to the City by the Authority's rates for sale of raw water to municipalities.

Annual average daily amount of raw water that the Authority is obligated to sell to the City is set forth in the following schedule.

Contract Years Annual Average Daily Amount

1978 - 1984 1.0 MGD
1985 - 1989 2.0 MGD
1990 - 1994 3.0 MGD
1995 - 1999 4.0 MGD
2000 - 2020 5.0 MGD

History

On February 22, 1978, the City entered into a water system service contract with the Authority whereby the Authority agreed to pay through the issuance of bonds all the actual costs of acquiring, by purchase or construction, a water supply and treatment system to render water supply and treatment services to the residents of the City. Although the Authority is to retain title, the City shall have the exclusive use of the entire project throughout its natural life.

On March 10, 1979, the Authority issued $3,485,000 in bonds to pay for the acquisition of the System. In December, 1991 the Authority issued $1,600,000 in bonds to expand the capabilities of the systems to meet the increased requirements of the City due to the location of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Terrell Unit in the area.

Water Distribution

There are several miles of water distribution system, including water mains ranging in size from 2 inches in diameter to 12 inches in diameter. Water is stored in three overhead storage tanks. Fire protection is a secondary function of the water distribution system. Maintenance of fire hydrants, along with other appurtenances, is carried out by the Water Department.