Waster Water Effluent Distribution System Update

[Adam Benefield]

City Council:

This morning at 10:00 AM, the Irrigation Subcommittee held a comprehensive site meeting with Les Hill to discuss the upcoming effluent wastewater distribution system design. The following individuals were in attendance:

• Subcommittee Members: Shane Saum, Paul Prince, Tom Monahan, Jim Cason, and myself.
• Staff: Charles West, Victor, Ernesto and Chad
• Key Discussion Points:
• Additional Irrigation Acreage: It appears the golf course is approximately 20 acres larger than what is currently permitted by TCEQ. If confirmed and approved, this could add 1 million gallons/year of effluent capacity at no additional cost. We're working to determine what's needed to verify and pursue this expansion.
• System Capacity & Design Goals:
  • Although our current TCEQ permit allows for 430,000 gallons/day, the system will be engineered to handle up to 800,000 gallons/day to accommodate rainy-day adjustments and increased flexibility.
  • The system will prioritize 300,000 GPD for irrigating fairways, greens, and tee boxes, covering ~50 acres of primary course area.
  • The remaining land (roughs) could absorb an additional 500,000 GPD, offering operational flexibility.
• Cost-Saving Design Improvement:
  • Les Hill recommended relocating the booster pump to Pond 14, which will serve as an intake-only site. This adjustment could reduce the overall project cost by $200,000, without compromising system performance.
  • Pond 14 will also be repaired and fenced but not used for water distribution.
• Project Timing & Operations:
  • Estimated construction timeline: 4–5 months
  • Goal: Only one hole closed at a time, with rare overlap. Les Hill noted that completed holes will quickly begin improving visually, potentially boosting player satisfaction and revenue even during construction.
• Design Timeline:
  • Les expects to have final engineering documents to staff and subcommittee in ~30 days.
  • This would put bidding in the early December timeframe, with potential construction beginning February 2026 (goal-based, not a guarantee).
• Priorities Reinforced:
  • The subcommittee emphasized that effluent disposal and cost control remain the City's top priorities.
  • Les is confident he can incorporate turf health optimization within those constraints.

This was an extremely productive meeting. We will continue to provide updates as we finalize acreage verification, design milestones, and permitting coordination.