PILLAR: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: September 23, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Water Utilities Department
PRIORITY: Infrastructure
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Dallas, North Texas Municipal Water District, Tarrant Regional Water District, Upper Trinity Regional Water District, and the City of Irving for Regional Water Supply Planning Studies - Not to exceed $83,125.00 - Financing: Water Construction Fund
*In alignment with Long Range Water Supply Plan.
Body
BACKGROUND
On June 26, 2025, the Texas Water Development Board found that an interregional conflict existed between the 2026 Region C and Region D Initially Prepared Regional Water Plans and invited the regional water planning groups to engage in mediation to resolve the conflict. At the end of July 2025, representatives from both Region C and Region D met in mediation and discussed the issues relating to the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir in their regional water plans. The mediation resulted in the “Agreement Resolving the Declared Conflict Between the Region C and Region D 2026 Initially Prepared Water Plans” (the “Mediated Agreement”), which was finalized on August 1, 2025.
The Mediated Agreement included two studies to be completed, an independent study to address the potential benefits and impacts of the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir on the economic, agricultural, and natural resources of Regions C and D (the “Joint Study”) and an “Apples-to-Apples” monetary and non-monetary comparison of the Marvin Nichols and Toledo Bend projects using firm(s) that can provide a fresh assessment (the “Region C Only Study”). The agreement also provides that Regions C and D would work to advance the Joint Study and equally share in the costs, not to exceed $250,000.00 each. Up to five members from each of Region C and D were identified to participate in an interregional working group to cooperatively participate in activities related to the Joint Study. The City Dallas, acting through the Dallas Water Utilities Department, is one of the members for Region C, along with North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD), Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD), and the City of Irving.
The Region C working group recognizes the need to move forward with completing both the Joint Study and the Region C Only Study in accordance with the Mediated Agreement and share in the costs of both studies. This action will authorize an interlocal agreement between the City of Dallas, NTMWD, TRWD, UTRWD, and the City of Irving to fund and participate in both studies. Both the Marvin Nichols and Toledo Bend Reservoir Projects were identified in the 2024 Dallas Long Range Water Supply Plan as alternative strategies to meet growing water demands projected through 2080. These water supply strategies have also been identified in the 2026 Region C Water Plan and will be included in the 2027 State Water Plan and have been identified as strategies for each of the other Region C working group members.
As outlined in the agreement, the Region C working group members will share in the cost of the studies with Dallas providing up to $83,125.00. This includes $59,375.00 for the Joint Study and $23,750.00 for the Region C Only Study. Region C and Region D have agreed that the Riverbend Water Resources District (“Riverbend”) will act as the contracting agency for the Joint Study for the purpose of facilitating the procurement, contracting, and payment of a consultant to complete the study. Selection of the consultant, study scope and contract terms, and payment authorization will be determined and agreed upon by the Region C and D working groups. NTMWD will enter into a separate contract with Riverbend for the sole purpose of providing funding from the Region C working group to Riverbend for the Joint Study.
In addition, NTMWD will act as the contracting agency with a consultant for the Region C Only Study, to include execution of a contract with the consultant, payment of invoices for the duration of the study and all other tasks necessary for administration of the contract. The consultant for the Region C Only Study may be the same or different as the Joint Study, as determined through a separate selection process by the Region C members of the interregional working group. Selection of the consultant, study scope and contract terms, and payment authorization will be determined and agreed upon by the Region C working group members.
Prior to Riverbend (for the Joint Study) or NTMWD (for the Region C Only Study) awarding the consulting services contracts for the studies, each Party shall remit their respective cost shares. NTMWD shall apply each Party’s cost shares equally, including its own, to pay consultant invoices it receives as the Studies progress. NTMWD will provide the Parties a copy of each Consultant invoice and documentation of each invoice payment within thirty 30 days of NTMWD’s payment.
In the event that a consulting services contract solicitation for the Studies is canceled, or alternatively, Riverbend (for the Joint Study) or NTMWD (for the Region C Only Study) does not award the consulting services contract for the Studies, NTMWD shall return the Parties’ respective cost shares. NTMWD shall also refund excess funds to the Parties, if any, after the completion of the Studies in proportion to their respective cost shares.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin Studies October 2026
Complete Studies October 2027
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
Information about this item was provided to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on September 14, 2026.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
Water Construction Fund |
$83,125.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
OWNER/EXECUTIVES
City of Dallas
Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, City Manager
North Texas Municipal Water District
Jenna Covington, P.E., Executive Director
Tarrant Regional Water District
Dan Buhman, General Manager
Upper Trinity Regional Water District
Larry N. Patterson, P.E., Executive Director
City of Irving
Chris Hillman, City Manager