TRA To Develop A New Regional Wastewater Treatment System

            The Trinity River Authority Board of Directors authorized contracts with the Cities of Grand Prairie and Midlothian that will result in the development of the Mountain Creek Regional Wastewater System in southern Dallas and northern Ellis Counties. Language in the contract anticipates additional contracting parties in the future.

            The two cities have elected to pay cash for their respective share of construction costs for the proposed 3.0 MGD wastewater treatment plant, now estimated at $5,559,428.

            Grand Prairie and Midlothian have been working on the development of wastewater transportation and treatment facilities since they entered into an Interlocal Agreement in November 2000. At the time this Interlocal Agreement was approved, the cities agreed to pursue operation and maintenance of the shared facilities by a third party and mutually agreed that TRA was the preferred third party.

Among the things this joint effort has produced are plans for a 3.0 MGD wastewater plant, one new lift station and force main that will serve both cities and the purchase of 68 acres of land immediately adjacent to Midlothian’s existing 0.9 MGD wastewater plant where the new plant will be located.

            All of these assets, plus two other existing lift stations and force mains, will be assigned to the new treatment system. TRA will assume operational control of the systems’ pipeline and pump stations on December 1, 2002 and the existing and proposed wastewater treatment plants, on or about December 1, 2003, when the new plant is complete.