STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: September 10, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Water Utilities Department
EXECUTIVE: Dev Rastogi
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a professional services contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide engineering services required for a comprehensive Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances assessment at Dallas Water Utilities Water Treatment Plants - Not to exceed $2,999,848.00 - Financing: Water Capital Improvement G Fund
Body
BACKGROUND
On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a rule setting enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in drinking water for five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). On May 14, 2025, EPA announced plans to rescind regulations and reconsider the regulatory determinations for several PFAS, and the Hazard Index established in April 2024. EPA also reaffirmed the need to regulate two individual substances, PFOA and PFOS at the originally established MCLs and extended the compliance date by two years to 2031.
Additionally, the EPA regulation requires all Public Water Systems (PWS) which includes Dallas, to complete initial monitoring to establish a baseline by 2027, followed by ongoing compliance monitoring and implementation of solutions, if necessary, to reduce PFAS by 2031. Beginning in 2031, PWS that have PFAS in drinking water at levels which violate one or more of these MCLs, based on an annual running average, must take action to reduce the levels in their drinking water.
The Dallas Water Utilities Department (DWU) has completed the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) sampling effort, collecting water from all three water treatment plants (WTP): Eastside WTP, Bachman WTP and Elm Fork WTP. DWU began monitoring for PFAS under UCMR5 in March 2023 and has completed the UCMR5 monitoring requirement. The results indicate that the expected levels for PFAS in DWU’s drinking water will comply with the new regulatory limits at this time. However, sampling results revealed that concentrations at the Bachman WTP are close to the regulatory MCL and were the highest concentrations amongst the three WTPs. These initial findings and the regulatory rule led to a recommendation for a more comprehensive PFAS assessment with a focus on the Bachman WTP.
The Bachman WTP was constructed in the late 1920s and underwent expansions in 1936, 1948, 1970, and 2006. It is one of three water treatment facilities for supplying safe drinking water. Although UCMR5 testing results indicate that the expected levels for PFAS in DWU’s drinking water will comply with the new regulatory limits at this time, the City of Dallas is proactively evaluating the potential presence of these substances and developing appropriate treatment and compliance strategies to protect public health and ensure regulatory compliance.
This action will authorize HDR Engineering, Inc. to perform a comprehensive PFAS assessment which will include a detailed review and analysis of historical data, coordination and implementation of additional sampling and monitoring, evaluation of potential treatment alternatives, development of conceptual design options with cost estimates, and preparation of an implementation roadmap to address potential presence of PFAS above the MCLs. The scope of services also includes project management, coordination with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and EPA, stakeholder and public outreach, identification of funding and grant opportunities, and risk evaluation for permitting, operations, and long-term compliance strategies.
Following completion of the assessment, future supplemental agreements may be necessary to provide detailed design, construction procurement support, and construction administration based on the selected treatment strategy. If recommended by the engineer, the estimated construction cost for any future treatment improvements will be determined during the conceptual design phase of the assessment. This project will help the City of Dallas position itself to meet evolving federal and state PFAS standards and maintain the safe delivery of drinking water to its customers.
On March 4, 2025, DWU submitted a project information form (PIF) to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for available Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Should the PIF be approved by TWDB, the City of Dallas may be invited to submit applications to the TWDB for grant and low-cost financial assistance to help facilitate any future improvements, based on the recommendations from the assessment phase of the project.
The consulting firm for this project was selected following a qualifications-based selection process in accordance with the City of Dallas Administrative Directive 4-05 procurement guidelines.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin Services October 2025
Complete Services February 2027
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2025 |
FY 2026 |
Future Years |
|
Water Capital Improvement G Fund |
$2,999,848.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
LOCAL PARTICIPATION
|
Prime |
Status |
Workforce % |
|
HDR Engineering, Inc. |
Local |
38.4% |
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
HDR Engineering, Inc.
John Henderson, Chief Executive Officer
MAPS
Attached