TWU moves forward with major Consent Decree wastewater projects

Safe, reliable core services are the foundation of a thriving city. A dependable wastewater system allows homes, businesses and schools to operate without disruption, giving our community the stability it needs to grow and thrive.

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the City Council took another step toward strengthening Tyler's foundation by approving two major wastewater projects under the City's federal Consent Decree with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Together, these projects represent more than $19 million in investments to modernize Tyler's wastewater collection system, reduce overflows and protect local waterways.

"These projects are part of a long-term plan to invest in Tyler's essential infrastructure," said Utilities Director Kate Dietz, P.E. "They will help protect our environment, improve system reliability and ensure we meet the commitments we made to the EPA and our community."

Group 2 Capacity Work - Sewer Site 13c1 Improvements
The Council approved a contract with C&A Construction, LLC for $16,179,339.80 to construct the second Capacity Work Group 2 project. Known as Sewer Site 13c1 Improvements, the project will install approximately 12,635 linear feet of new sanitary sewer lines ranging from 6 inches to 30 inches in diameter. The route starts east from Downtown and goes through Midtown to the Charnwood District.

The project also includes new manholes, highway and railroad bores, creek crossings, laterals, pavement repairs and associated gravity sewer appurtenances. This work will address capacity constraints and help prevent sanitary sewer overflows. Construction is expected to be completed by March 2027.

The Group 2 Sewer Site 13c1 project follows the completion of Group 1 capacity work and the ongoing construction of the Group 2 Sewer Site 13a2 Improvements. Group 2 work required the acquisition of approximately 67 easements to accommodate the upgraded infrastructure.

Group 8 Remedial Measures Implementation
The Council also approved an engineering services contract with Pape Dawson Consulting Engineers LLC for $2,806,600 to design and oversee construction of improvements in Group 8. These improvements are based on recent condition assessments of manholes and mainlines performed by Pipeline Analysis in basins across the City.

The scope includes multiple construction contracts addressing different types of repairs: manhole rehabilitation, specialty pipeline work, open-cut pipeline replacement and pipeline reroutes. Once designed, these projects will be bid and constructed in phases over the next several years.

Consent Decree Program Background
The Consent Decree, effective April 10, 2017, requires the City to assess, design and construct improvements to its aging wastewater collection system to eliminate discharges and comply with federal regulations. This work includes both capacity upgrades and targeted rehabilitation based on condition assessments.

To date, the City has completed assessments for Groups 1 through 6, with Groups 5 and 6 under construction and Group 7 in design. Group 8 marks the next phase in the rehabilitation portion of the program, while Group 2 continues the capacity improvement work.