FY 2012 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2012 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 14

Capital
Investment

Protect From Flooding and
Erosion
Energy Efficiencies
Environmental Stewardship
Focus On Mobility
Infrastructure
14

Focus on Priorities

Water Department Innovation
Reaches New Heights
Constructed in 1981, the Harwell
Elevated Storage Tank (EST) in
North Arlington was 11 feet lower in
elevation than optimally needed to
provide proper pressure and efficiency,
which caused less than half of the
two-million-gallon volume to be used
efficiently. As part of the City’s routine
maintenance and to maintain water
quality in the distribution system,
the Harwell EST had to undergo
infrastructure improvements to
optimize system operations.
Raising the tank was one of three
options the City researched to make the
proper improvements. The other two
were building a pump station and using
an electrical energy source to manually
control the filling and draining cycle
of the tank, or starting from scratch by
building an entirely new tank.
Raising the tank was the best and
most cost-effective solution for this
elevated storage tank.
Lifting the Harwell EST by 11
feet met the elevation requirements
to provide improved water system
operations and restore full functionality
of the tank. Additionally, the tank was
rehabilitated internally and
externally.
What originally seemed
like an impossible idea
turned out to be the best
solution. Anytime Water
Utilities can find a lower
cost option, it results in
cost-savings for rate payers.
And, that allows the City
to put money into other
projects, like water line
renewals. Thinking outside
the box – or, in this case,
outside the tank – paid off.

Recycling of Water is Proving
Beneficial for Arlington
Arlington is known for the high
quality of its drinking water. During
times of drought, drinking water
supplies are stressed.
That’s why Arlington purchases
reclaimed water, which is actually
highly treated wastewater, from the
City of Fort Worth’s Village Creek
Reclamation plant to use for everything
from dust control and irrigation at the
750-acre Arlington Landfill to keeping
the Chester Ditto Golf Course green
and lush. The 50-acre J.W. Dunlop
Sports Complex is also being served
with a six-inch reclaimed water line
including a booster pump to meet
irrigation pressure requirements.
Reclaimed water costs less than
drinking water and, when used for
irrigation, reduces fertilizer use because
some nutrients like nitrogen and
phosphorus remain.
Arlington’s Reclaimed Water System
is a two-phase process, the second of
which will evaluate delivering reclaimed
water throughout the Entertainment
District to places like Cowboys Stadium,
the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington,
Johnson Creek Park system, Lincoln