TWDB approves wastewater facility study for ANRA

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved a regional wastewater facility planning grant application for the Angelina and Neches River Authority (ANRA) in the amount of $42,230.00.

The planning study area is immediately southeast of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir Dam generally located near the intersection of US Hwy. 96 and R255

The commitment of the $42,230.00 is from the Research and Planning Fund, with local entities providing matching funds of $42,230.00.

The $84,460 in total funds will be used to collect and compile existing data for the development of regional wastewater solutions in the study area.

The planning study will consist of seven tasks:

t Define study area, identify regional participants and begin data collection;

t Population and wastewater flow projections;

t Wastewater conveyance and treatment and develop regional alternatives;

t Alignment issues and considerations;

t Evaluation of system alternatives;

t Review initial finding and comments; and

t Final report.

In recent years, Sam Rayburn Reservoir has been the focus of water quality issues as evidenced by its listing on the EPA's list of impaired water bodies. While the water quality issues surrounding the reservoir are much more complex, this planning study will identify areas of contamination from existing on-site sewage facilities and from permitted discharges within the study area.

The overall goal of the planning study is to quantify the number of septic systems in high concentration areas, evaluate the feasibility of connecting those septic systems to a public sewer utility and to evaluate the feasibility of consolidating existing wastewater treatment plants from several local water districts into one larger regional wastewater treatment facility.

The need for this planning study is being driven by the increased growth and development of the area as reported by local entities.

ANRA currently owns and operates a regional wastewater facility in Angelina County and a regional compost facility in Cherokee County.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning and preparing the State Water Plan for the development of the state's water resources, and administering cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control and agricultural water conservation projects.