Sewer system plans continue to change
The Central Wimberley Wastewater Treatment plan continues to evolve with large changes now being negotiated with Aqua Texas.
Following the city election in May, Aqua Texas informed the city that they no longer felt an agreement to treat the city’s wastewater was appropriate. Aqua Texas President Bob Laughman spoke to the Wimberley View to give some insight on where his company stands on the renewed negotiations and what has caused the recent changes.
“I’ve always thought and continue to believe that utilizing an existing facility versus building a new facility is more economical, and I’ve thought from the beginning that we (Aqua Texas) could do something that is positive for the entire Wimberley Valley,” Laughman said. “We all know the Aqua Texas’ reputation in the valley is not the best, so it was an attempt to be good neighbors and that backfired on us. It showed in the polls. In spite of our efforts, the voting public just doesn’t’ want Aqua Texas involved, and I took that as an indication that I needed to back off.”
Laughman compared the idea of the city and Aqua Texas entering a 20-year commitment together under the circumstances as “entering a marriage with a crack” saying that he didn’t think it was a healthy thing for the city or Aqua Texas.
Thus, the deal that was previously negotiated appears to be off the table. Though Aqua Texas had pulled themselves from consideration for the project, they are now at least back in discussions on a new deal with the city.
The biggest change in negotiations is that the city would not be required to make a long-term commitment to Aqua Texas, but this comes with fewer incentives for the city also. Laughman said he couldn’t make a capital investment in the deal if the city isn’t going to commit to a longterm contract. This means the city will likely have to foot the bill for the entire length of pipe needed to connect to a lift station near H-E-B instead of Aqua Texas building a pipe to meet the city on the north side of Cypress Creek.
“I don’t care how you get there,” Laughman said. “There is the Sabino Ranch easement or some other thoughts are to go down Mill Race Lane… I am taking the position of ‘I’ve got a lift station next to H-E-B. You get there the best way you can get there. I will offer service as long as you want it or as short as you want it.’”
The offer to upgrade the Aqua Texas treatment facility to type one effluent is also not being offered currently. The city would likely not have to pay the $300,000 connection fee. Laughman said the city of Woodcreek’s letter to the Texas Water Development Board stating that they were against the Aqua Texas and City of Wimberley wastewater deal showed that his existing customers did not want the deal to be done, Thus, the upgraded facilities are no longer being offered.
“That was kind of a mutual,” Laughman said of the removal of type one effluent from the plan.”…I think the city has determined that it is not getting the type one back to Blue Hole (under this portion of the plan). I think they have realized it could be costly to do that and with their limited funds right now, especially if they go the route they build their own plant at Blue Hole, it doesn’t make sense to talk about type one (from Aqua Texas) …My other reason for backing off on that, my intent was to do something for the entire Wimberley Valley but Woodcreek came out formally and said they didn’t want us to (make an agreement with Wimberley). My existing customers were not supporting the deal… Since that deal wasn’t in their best interest, or at least they felt it wasn’t, all the cards laid out the same to me. It just doesn’t make sense to move under this scenario.”
If this negotiation pattern sticks, the city of Wimberley would not be committed long term to Aqua Texas treatment. This could leave the option of creating a city-owned treatment facility in the future if the city chooses.
The city of Wimberley is now looking at new options on how to get to Aqua Texas. Laughman said that Aqua Texas stopped pursuing the easement with Sabino Ranch, but that there might be potential for the city to try and get the easement.
Councilmember Rebecca Minnick has also suggested a new path for the line that would not require the Sabino Ranch easement. The line to Aqua Texas would cross Cypress Creek at the end of Blue Hole Lane instead of in Blue Hole Regional Park and continue down Mill Race Lane. Minnick argued that it would be easier to cross the creek in this section. She said that the city would not having a long term contract, thus leaving open the possibility of a city-owned system in the future while still getting the project completed and running. She said the plan is ”not ideal and not perfect” but that it is “clearly a compromise that, under the circumstances, I think it’s the best we can do.”
Minnick said that city engineers are currently looking into the possibility of this new route.
Wimberley Mayor Susan Jaggers said that she is confident the wastewater treatment facility will be up and running before the next election in May of 2020. She said she is open to looking at the new route, but she thinks the currently planned route is still the best option and feasible.
“I am sure we are going to a have a sewer system in the ground and running before the next election – absolutely,” Jaggers said. “It could be done faster. I would have loved to see it done back in May. Looking at an alternative site to cross the creek will take a lot more time. It would probably be at least a fivemonth process, which is unfortunate… We do have to negotiate with Aqua Texas. We need them more than they need us. Looking at an alternative site, I don’t think that is realistic. I think we will end up sticking with the site we have for the crossing. I believe that easement would also be in place if we pressed on with that direction.”
Obviously, these negotiations and plans are still fluid as the city of Wimberley attempts to finish the sewer system project.