DEPARTMENT: Public Works
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 3
SUBJECT:
Real Estate Acquisition on behalf of SAWS: Declaration of public necessity for acquisition of real property to construct a water treatment facility (wetlands) to comply with United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requirements for Mitchell Lake.
SUMMARY:
Consideration of an ordinance, on behalf of SAWS, authorizing the acquisition through negotiation or condemnation, for project purpose of privately-owned real property located in County Block 4006 and declaring the project to be a public use project and a public necessity for the acquisition to construct a water treatment facility (wetlands) related to the Mitchell Lake Wetlands Water Quality Treatment Project located south of Mitchell Lake and east of Pleasanton Road in Council District 3.
This public use project is necessary for improvement of the sanitary water and sewer infrastructure system. Pursuant to enacted Texas Senate Bill (SB 18), this item requires City Council to initiate a motion authorizing the use of power of eminent domain, should it be needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Mitchell Lake was constructed in 1901 as a component of a large-scale wastewater reuse project. The lake was used from the early 1900s to 1987 as a receiving water body for storing raw or partially treated groundwater-based sewage and treatment process residuals, which were used to irrigate crops. In 1973, COSA formally designated Mitchell Lake as a refuge for shore birds and water fowl. In 1987, with the completion of the Dos Rios Water Recycling Center, disposal of untreated or partially treated wastewater and treatment process residuals into the lake ceased.
Currently, SAWS monitors the lake to ensure compliance with its Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit. During heavy rain events, it is difficult to control the water discharged from t...
Click here for full text