West University City Council moved forward on critical infrastructure on Nov. 9, approving a $1.29 million professional‑services contract with engineering firm Garver USA. The contract will fund the design of Phase 2 of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) capital project, building on work already underway in Phase 1.
Phase 2 design aims to simplify operations
Garver representatives Jason Kirby and Wade Parks explained that Phase 2 will address items not covered in the initial construction package, which was trimmed to fit the FY 2026‑27 budget amendment of $1.48 million approved earlier by council. “Phase 1 is under construction… it includes the control building, lab building, electrical building and a new on‑site lift station,” Kirby said. “Phase 2’s gonna pick up the items that were not covered.”
The proposed design includes several concept revisions: a new screening system, upgraded air‑distribution piping, coarse‑bubble diffusers (replacing fine‑bubble units), replacement of bridges, walkways, grating, valves, clarifiers, blower equipment, and conversion to liquid sodium hypochlorite for disinfection. Garver noted that these changes should make future plant operations more consistent, safer for workers, and less complicated.
West Side Drainage Project receives design updates
In the same meeting, council received an update from HDR Engineering and Halff consultants on the West Side Drainage Project. The project, born from a 2019 drainage study by HT&J, seeks to improve storm‑water management across the west side of the city.
Key components include a new 40‑foot storm‑sewer trunkline from Bissonnet Street to Brays Bayou (Phase 1), upsizing existing storm sewers, rerouting the network for greater efficiency, and replacing identified cast‑iron waterlines. HDR presented three trunkline alternatives in April 2025; council feedback helped refine the options for the Nov. 9 review.
Through refinement of Phase 1, officials reduced the project’s estimated improvement costs by nearly $60 million, dropping from $206 million to $147 million. The total estimated cost for the entire drainage effort—including Phase 1 and roughly $52.5 million in additional internal improvements—is $199.5 million.
Next steps and timeline
The only remaining modeling work involves diversions of College Street and University Boulevard, which will further optimize the storm‑sewer network. HDR and Halff will return to council in February 2027 with final modeling results, according to City Manager Dave Beach.
Both the wastewater plant upgrade and the West Side Drainage Project are central to West University’s long‑term flood‑resilience strategy, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent. By investing in modernized treatment processes and a more efficient storm‑water system, the city aims to protect homes, businesses, and families while preserving the community’s quality of life.
Residents can expect continued updates at future council meetings as design work progresses and construction phases move forward.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.
