Pierce-Burch Construction Set to Wrap Up in 2025
The $ 112.5 million upgrade at the Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant in West Arlington is on schedule for completion in fall 2025 . Construction on the project began in late 2021 . The enhancements include new chemical facilities , new clear wells for storing water , a new high-service pump station , power distribution facilities , and emergency generators . The Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant , located at 1901 Lakewood Drive , was built in 1972 . It has a water treatment capacity of 75 million gallons per day . The $ 112.5 million price tag for the necessary upgrades is being funded by a combination of Texas Water Development Board Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and City of Arlington Water Revenue Bonds . The low-interest loans from the state will result in a $ 21 million savings over the lifetime of the loan .
Low-Interest Loan Saves Millions of Dollars
Arlington Water Utilities ’ financial administration team works to make the department ’ s budget as lean as possible . In 2024 , the department applied for and was awarded a low-interest loan of $ 16,585,000 from the Texas Water Development Board ( TWDB ). Arlington Water Utilities estimates that the lower interest rate offered by the TWDB will result in savings of $ 4,443,799 over the lifetime of the loan , compared to the interest rates offered on revenue bond issuances . The loan will be used to finance two wastewater collection system realignment projects that are necessary to protect the city ’ s waterways . These are the Shadow Drive Sanitary Sewer Main Replacement and the Kee Branch Sanitary Sewer Main Relocation . In both instances , significant erosion around the existing sanitary sewer mains has caused them to be in danger of collapsing .
Enhanced Asset Management at Arlington Water ’ s Engineering Division
Arlington Water ’ s Engineering and Support Services Division has intensified its focus on asset management . Over the past three years , eight full time employees have been added to a team that gives engineers the field support they need to make decisions about planning for water and wastewater projects , such as replacement of aging mains . Staff in the asset information group must become experts in use of numerous specialty equipment and associated software .
Including :
• Perform survey of water and sanitary sewer assets using high precision Global Position System ( GPS ) equipment .
• Collect closed-circuit television ( CCTV ) video of sanitary sewer mains and manholes .
• Perform a condition assessment of the sanitary sewer assets following the industry standard scoring system ( NASSCO ).
• Conduct assessments of creek crossings and erosion risk assets using aerial drone .
• Install , monitor , and maintain SmartCover real-time manhole level monitors and wireless fire hydrant pressure monitors .
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