Canyon Lake is a major surface water source for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, which has operated San Marcos’ water treatment facilities under a 20-year contract that the city recently extended. (Community Impact staff)
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San Marcos will pay nearly $3.1 million for a one-year extension to keep the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority operating the city’s water plant as both sides work through ongoing contract negotiations.
In a nutshell
City Council on Nov. 18 approved the multimillion-dollar extension of its water treatment contract with the GBRA—one of several river authorities across the state that handle water management, water treatment, treatment facilities and other water-related services in the Guadalupe River watershed.
Why now?
According to city documents, the “operational complexities of the plant” and changing conditions require the city to hold more negotiations with the GBRA.
The original contract was set to expire Dec. 26, 2025, and will now be extended to Dec. 16, 2026, to allow time for those talks.
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority operates several water facilities in the region, including the Sunfield Water Reclamation Facility in Buda. (Community Impact staff)
According to the original contract, the city decided in 2004 that it was in its best interest to contract the maintenance, management and operation of its water treatment system. The deal with GBRA was signed in September 2005 with a 10-year term.
The contract allowed for up to two five-year extensions, which kept it in place for the past 20 years.
Looking ahead
Under the contract, if an agreement is not reached after further negotiations, the city would have to decide whether it wants to assume control of the water treatment facility or contract for those services through a competitive process.
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