The City Council was to consider a final reading for the fee adjustments at its Feb. 4 City Council meeting. Mayor Herbert Gears said Wednesday during the council’s work session that the agenda items would be postponed.
Any rate changes would not be considered until the next budget process, which provides time for staff and council members to continue to educate utility customers about the need for the rate increase. This will include opportunities for further public input. Irving currently has the lowest residential water rates in Dallas County. If the 5 percent adjustment had been implemented, Irving still would have the lowest water rate. (See attached water rate comparison chart.)
Currently, Irving spends $6 million a year making repairs to its water and wastewater system, and averages three water breaks per day. Business as usual means a reactive approach as opposed to a proactive implementation plan that reduces the instances of red water into residents’ homes. Red water discoloration is caused by oxidation of the cast iron pipes currently being used in the older sections of the city. The discoloration does not affect the quality of the water. The adjustments would allow the city to be proactive in preventing “sticker shock” rate increases as experienced by some other area cities.
Suggested capital improvement plans call for:
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Pipe replacements in several Irving neighborhoods
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Water reuse irrigation projects
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Development of future water supply
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Repair of pump station along Cooper pipeline
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Contracted obligations with the Texas Department of Transportation for costs associated with highway development
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Pump stations in the city of Irving
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Unfunded state and federal mandates
Of all of these, aging pipeline replacement has to rank at a very high level of priority. To carry out these recommendations, an increase in capital financing from $15 million to $35 million per year is needed in the city’s current investment in capital improvements. Such investments will begin the process of bringing the city’s water and wastewater system up-to-date. The franchise fee increase also will pay for necessary street improvements as pipes are replaced.
Due to corrosion, multiple pipe breaks and associated maintenance, there is a critical need to replace cast iron pipes with PVC pipes. The annual goal of replacing up to 28 miles of water and sewer pipes each year will help Irving keep pace with the aging system. PVC pipes are better able to withstand corrosion, do not crack from soil shifting, decrease risk of impacting water quality and carry a life cycle of more than 50 years.
Additional funding would be expended on:
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Several master plan projects
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Upgrades to the Delaware Creek Sewer
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Capacity improvements to the Hackberry, Northgate and MacArthur pump stations
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Jamison line (costs $11 million to replace); such infrastructure is needed for the planned redevelopment of the Texas Stadium property
These are some examples of the projects and upgrades that could be funded if these adjustments are approved.
