The City of Southlake is preparing for population growth and meeting water demands in the future, after the region experienced a record-breaking drought last summer.
The City Council recently adopted the Southlake 2030 Water System Master Plan to prioritize capital improvement projects, develop a water conservation plan and help guide funding recommendations for fiscal year 2013.
Southlake purchases its water supply from the City of Fort Worth. Southlake receives up to 10 million gallons of water per day from a 30- and 36-inch pipeline that runs from Fort Worth's Alta Vista's ground storage tank to Southlake's Pearson Road pumping station, according to the plan.
The city's current water demand is 26.9 million gallons per day on a peak day, Public Works Director Bob Price said. The projected 2030 water demand based on build-out of the city is 34.2 million gallons per day.
The master plan recommends additional water conservation measures, such as public education on conservation and low water-use fixtures, Price said.
To meet long-term needs in the future, the city has several projects underway to make improvements to supply, pumping, storage and distribution of water to residents.
Construction of a 20-inch water distribution line along Hwy. 114 from Southlake Town Square to North White Chapel Boulevard was recently completed to provide water supply to the southeast side of town.
"That is now flowing water between the intersection of White Chapel and 114 to the area in the central business district," Price said. "So that's an alternate route to get water back to the area that is needed the most."
Workers are scheduled to finish constructing a new 30-inch water line into the T.W. King pumping station in spring 2013, Price said. Located just north of Hwy. 114, it serves as the city's second pump station with one existing 5 million-gallon ground storage tank, according to the plan. The existing tank can meet about 15 percent of peak day water demands. A future second tank is planned to provide the city with continuous operations during emergency situations.
The city's other pump station, located at FM 1709 and Pearson Lane, includes two 5 million-gallon ground storage tanks. According to the plan, both tanks can meet about one-third of the water demand on peak day.
The new 30-inch water line would increase water capacity to an additional 10 million gallons per day, Price said.
"It would be a direct route to the north, whereas today we have to pipe along 1709 and then up White Chapel," Price said. "This would be an alternate route and take it directly to the north end of the city."
Under the master plan, projects are prioritized as Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Tier 1 projects are given the highest priority.
Construction of the 20-inch water distribution line along Hwy. 114 was recently completed. Other projects recommended are the 8-inch to 12-inch looping systems to key distribution lines.
"Basically in a lot of cul de sacs, the lines go up in dead ends, so we would be looping those and tying those and that would improve the flow of water in those particular neighborhoods," Price said. "Those are the next Tier 1 water improvements that we would anticipate completing over the next two to three years."
The Southlake 2030 Water, Waste Water and Storm Water Committee has recommended the City Council approve the Waste Water and Storm Water master plans separately.
The wastewater plan is anticipated to go before council in August and the storm water plan is expected for the council's consideration in September, said Ken Baker, the city's planning and development services director.
