Fulshear manager: new water tower online, downtown plant expansion contract awarded; multiple hiring updates

City staff told the Fulshear City Council Monday that the city’s elevated storage tank (water tower) is operational and that construction on the Pecanal (Pecanal) water plant is nearing completion; staff also briefed the council on a construction contract award for the downtown water reclamation facility expansion.

City manager-level staff reported that the elevated storage tank has been filling and providing water to the system during peak demand and that the tower construction is about 98% complete by dollars spent. ‘‘Today, we’ve paid $4,229,000 for the project, which had a total project budget of $4,285,000,’’ staff said.

The downtown water reclamation facility expansion was presented to the council as a two-part project (a leased package treatment plant and site infrastructure). The city received two construction bids; Persons Services Corporation was the low bidder at $2,583,000 for the construction portion. Staff said the expansion will increase capacity from 0.7 million gallons per day (MGD) to 1.1 MGD by adding aeration basins, clarifiers, blowers, a dechlorination basin and upsizing effluent piping from 8 to 18 inches.

Why it matters: Increased wastewater treatment capacity allows the city to serve more development in downtown areas and to provide additional reclaimed water for reuse options. The contract award and the leased treatment plant together aim to meet near-term demand while permanent plant elements are finished.

Additional project details and timelines provided by staff: - Pecanal elevated storage tank: construction 98% complete by dollars spent; $4,229,000 paid of $4,285,000 project budget; tank has been online since May and used during peak demand. - Pecanal water plant: staff reported testing and equipment installation are finished, CenterPoint estimated 4–6 weeks lead time for permanent power connection; the plant is in temporary operation on generator power during working hours; project invoiced approximately $13,300,000 to date on a budget of $14,400,000 (about 92% by dollars spent). - Downtown water reclamation construction: staff said the low bid is $2,583,000; anticipated construction duration about 12 months and the work will be largely completed within the next 12 months if approved.

Personnel and recognition: - Staff announced several hires: David Lycan (Assistant Director for Public Works, Capital Markets), Alejandro Hernandez (senior utilities maintenance technician), Jonathan Nichols (utility operator), Dominic Molina (operator in training) and others. - Staff announced the inaugural SPARK quarterly award and recognized Missy Ortiz in the planning department for 11 years of service and leadership.

Council approved the construction agreement for the downtown water reclamation expansion (contract number 2025-059) and staff will proceed with contract execution and project scheduling.