01-15-1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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The La Porte Area Water Authority (LPAWA) was created by an act of the Texas Legislature to ensure an adequate supply of surface water for the Bayshore Area, in response to a mandate by the Harris- Galveston Coastal Subsidence District to convert to surface water by 1990. The Authority, after approval by voters, in 1982, began work on a plan to supply surface water. Various alternatives were investigated, and by 1985, it appeared that a plant built and operated by the Authority was the most cost-effective alternative. Also during this period, potential water customers were contacted, and interest was expressed by the Cities of La Porte, Morgan's Point, Seabrook and Shoreacres, along with Bayshore Municipal Utility District (Bay MUD) and Water Control Improvement District No. 50. Projected water demands were obtained, and cost estimates were prepared to reflect total cost, as well as each individual entity's cost. Availability of raw water at this time presented no problem, and the Authority began contract negotiations with the proposed customers for surface water supply. In April 1986, the City of Houston announced the proposed construction of the South East Water Purification Plant near Ellington Air Force Base. Due to this investment, and the probable need to examine future raw water needs for Houston within ten years, Houston could offer only a ten year contract for the purchase of raw water to the Authority. The Authority could, however, purchase capacity at the proposed Southeast Plant for its surface water needs. The Authority began examining the costs of purchasing capacity at the Southeast Plant, as well as participating with Deer Park in their proposed plant. Cost analysis indicated the City of Deer Park option had a substantially higher cost than the Houston Plant and the original Authority Plant, which were comparable. The Authority decided that the most cost effective option was to negotiate a contract with the City of Houston to purchase capacity at the Southeast Plant, and construct transmission facilities to deliver surface water to customers. The City of Seabrook, along with WCID No. 50 indicated that it would be more cost effective for their surface water needs to be met by direct dealings with Houston, or through the City of Pasadena. The remainder of the Authority's customers committed to the purchase of surface water through the Authority, and the Authority began contract negotiations with the City of Houston for purchase of capacity at the Southeast Plant.