Postponement of a Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) decision on Wimberley’s proposed change of scope for its wastewater project now places those plans in limbo.
On Monday, TWDB of directors unanimously voted to delay a decision to approve the change of scope request, which includes nearly $5.5 million for Wimberley’s wastewater project, $243,005 in principal forgiveness.
TWDB’s board of directors unanimously voted to delay a decision to approve the change of scope request, which includes nearly $5.5 million for Wimberley’s wastewater project, $243,005 in principal forgiveness.
The decision came after TWDB staff recommended postponement, citing a lack of scrutiny on Wimberley’s part towards its change of scope plan. Wimberley’s change of scope includes the desire for third-party wastewater company Aqua Texas to oversee the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
“Both delays in the project and changes in revenues lead us to conclude that it is prudent to address additional scrunity for this project,” said Jeff Walker, TWDB exuective director. “Additionally, we have not received adequate responses to the amended environmental review, including the city’s responses to the recent public meeting and responses of state agencies like the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.”
Walker cited a 14-page letter from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department outlaying recommendations to the TWDB on the city’s proposed change of scope. The letter concludes that the city has not done enough environmental measures for plans to bore under Cypress Creek for a pipeline that would transport raw sewage to Aqua Texas. Additionally, the letter outlines concerns over endangered species in the area, including the Golden-cheeked Warbler.
While addressing the board, Jaggers said plans for a city-owned treatment plant, which were scrapped by city council in late 2018, was not environmentally feasible for the city. Additionally, Mayor Susan Jaggers said Aqua Texas does not have a discharge permit like the city currently has from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, leaving her to believe the change of scope is environmentally friendly.
But critics of the plan, including Andrew Weber, chairperson of the Friends of Blue Hole group refuted these claims. Weber cited a February city council meeting where Jaggers said the letter from TPW consisted of mere recommendations, not requirements.
“They’ve already surveyed for where the bore under the creek would go, and it’s clear from that survey they are rejecting TPW recommendations for the setbacks for that bore,” Weber said. “… They are trading no discharge for a bore under the creek and a pipe of raw sewage. That’s the risk (this council) is willing to take.”
Weber questioned TWDB staff on their request to ask the city to provide an executed contract with Aqua Texas.
“I would strongly ask you take that request out,” Weber said. “Reviewing and seeing a final draft would be fine, but this council is the one that jumped off the cliff seven or eight months ago without your consent to a change in scope, voted to change scope, fired the plant contractor and now brings you a deteriorated revenues you see today.”
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Barchfeld addressed the board, “surprised” by the recommendation to postpone. Barchfeld said Wimberley has been working with TWDB staff since last September over the change, and if any additional information is needed, that will be provided to staff as soon as possible.
“The plan is affordable, it is environmentally friendly, technologically available to be done, and most importantly, greatly diminishes the probability of an incomplete project,” Barchfeld said.
Following the postponement decision, Jaggers said the original project was not affordable and less environmentally safe for the city.
“Delaying it isn’t going to help, because as far as being affordable, it’s only going to be more costly with the delay,” Jaggers said. “We won’t have revenue coming in and we’ll have citizens still waiting for sewage … delaying is just going to make it more burdensome for the city and more controversial for all citizens.”
