Development
BY JARRETT WHITENER
Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch water utility projects move forward
future-proof the city’s water needs. Mann said over the next 15-25 years, the original plant is likely to need replacing. Fair Oaks Ranch Fair Oaks Ranch City Council on Nov. 20 approved a resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with North Carolina-based Kim- ley-Horn and Associates Inc. for engineering services related to the elevated water storage tank. The agreement was originally approved in 2019 and was planned for construction on the southern portion of the property formerly known as The Reserve. In 2021, the project was put on hold as city staff looked to other construction locations. In 2022, city staff authorized Kimley-Horn to conduct a site feasibility evaluation for a 10-acre property purchased by the city of Boerne. On June 16, Fair Oaks Ranch purchased approx- imately 2.92 acres of the Boerne property for the new storage tank site. With this site change, city staff recommended the amended agreement with Kimley-Horn. Grant Watanabe, director of public works and engineering services, said amendments needed to be made, including: • New topographic survey and geotechnical investigation for the new site • Complete redesign of approximately 3,050 linear feet of water main extending from an existing offsite 12-inch main to the new site to
Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch are working to improve overall water capacity and quality with upcoming utility projects. In Boerne, a new water treatment plant near the city lake is planned, and City Council on Nov. 18 reviewed the pilot study for the expansion. In Fair Oaks Ranch, an elevated water storage tank will be constructed on Ammann Road, increasing water pressure for residents on the city’s northern side. Boerne The original plant at Boerne City Lake was constructed in 1978, with area residents using groundwater prior to lake use, Utilities Director Michael Mann said. Mann said the plant expansion would help meet regulatory requirements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, targeting chemicals such as Geosmin, an organic compound that gives water an earthy taste and smell. To meet peak demand and accommodate future growth, the plants need to produce around 3.1 million gallons per day, Mann said. “Right now our plant can only produce 1.3-1.5 million gallons today, and we need to augment that,” he said. The cost of the new plant is around $24.2 million and is planned to be operational by 2030. Funding for the facility is planned to be gained through impact fees and revenue bonds. Mann said the cost could be reduced since an additional intake may not have to be constructed. The new facility will also be expandable to
connect the tank to the city’s water distribution system • Restart of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Federal Aviation Administration permit coordination based on the new design and site location • Easement acquisition—if needed—subsurface utility engineering and plat services for the new site The cost for engineering services under the original agreement was $446,905, and the cost of the contract amendment was $281,987.95, bringing the total to $728,892.95. In addition to the engineering services cost, the estimated construction cost is $8.2 million . "We are estimating about 10 months for redesign, permitting and preparation of bid documents; two months for procurement; and 16 months for construction for a total project duration of about 28 months," Watanabe said.
Fair Oaks Ranch water storage
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Boerne Water Treatment Plant process
1 Boerne City Lake Surface water is pulled from Boerne City Lake for treatment.
3 Water softening The solid contact clarifier softens and removes color and turbidity from the water.
5 Water filtration, color removal The biological active filter uses microorganisms to break down organic compounds and pollutants.
7 Distribution Potable water is delivered throughout the city to be used by utility customers.
6 Storage Water is stored in the clearwell until needed for distribution.
2 Chemical treatment Chemicals are mixed into the water to coagulate and clump contaminants before separating the water.
4 Water disinfection Ozonation is used to disinfect and remove contaminants from the water.
SOURCE: CITY OF BOERNE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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BOERNE - FAIR OAKS RANCH EDITION
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