Dallas Undertakes $36 Million Reservoir Makeover

Dallas Water Utilities has embarked on a major infrastructure project, replacing an aging 20 MG reservoir.

“The $36 million do-over, approved by the council in late September, has been years in the making while the city tried to figure out whether to redo or replace the reservoir. It wasn’t meant to last longer than 30 years, and it’s way out of compliance with modern-day Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations,’” The Dallas Morning News reported.

The project website spelled out the rationale for the project: “Due to the current station’s age, replacement parts are difficult to obtain. Access and limited space in the pump room restricts maintenance activities.” Equipment on the site is becoming less reliable.

Dallas Water Utilities senior program manager Mark Simon emphasized the necessity of the makeover.

“According to Simon, the structural integrity of the reservoir was evaluated in 2010, and its condition warranted replacement over rehabilitation. Additionally, the pump station currently does not meet current electrical and building codes,” the report said.

The location is a key part of a unified network of pump stations and treatment plants serving 850,000 residents. The project is expected to be done in 2019.

Despite that it was only meant to last 30 years, Walcrest pump station was built back in 1956. The demolition of the Walcrest pump station will “make way for a 9,625-square-foot pump station and reservoir that is up to TCEQ code. That doesn’t just include demolishing the house, but the enormous underground water reservoir as well,” Advocate Magazine reported.

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