PILLAR: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: February 25, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Outside
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Water Utilities Department
PRIORITY: Infrastructure
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a professional services contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. dba Stantec to provide engineering services required for a feasibility study of the Main Stem Balancing Reservoir Project - Not to exceed $2,949,946.00 - Financing: Water Capital Improvement F Fund
*In alignment with Long Range Water Supply Plan.
Body
BACKGROUND
Dallas Water Utilities Department (DWU) is a regional and municipal water provider serving more than 2.6 million customers across a 700-square-mile service area. To reliably meet future customer demands, DWU conducts long-range planning to identify strategies capable of supporting water needs over a 50 year planning horizon. DWU has participated in long-range water supply planning efforts at the local, regional, and statewide levels for decades and most recently completed its 2024 Long Range Water Supply Plan (LRWSP). To meet projected water demands through 2080 and beyond, the 2024 LRWSP identified eight recommended strategies and nine alternate strategies.
One of the recommended strategies is the Main Stem Balancing Reservoir (MSBR). Originally identified in the 2014 LRWSP, the MSBR was reevaluated and reaffirmed as a recommended strategy in the 2024 LRWSP. This strategy includes a proposed off-channel reservoir (OCR) in Ellis County, southeast of Bristol, with an estimated storage capacity of approximately 300,000 acre-feet. The reservoir could store DWU return flows-and potentially return flows from other entities-as well as stormwater runoff originating from the upstream Trinity River watershed. Because the proposed diversion location is downstream of the confluence with the East Fork of the Trinity River, the MSBR could also facilitate transfers between DWU’s eastern and western water supply systems. This would allow water released from Lake Ray Hubbard or from DWU’s eastern raw water transmission pipelines, where they cross the East Fork, to be stored and redistributed with additional infrastructure improvements.
The City of Dallas has secured water rights to use return flows from the DWU Central and Southside wastewater treatment plants. This reuse of water represents a valuable, reliable supply that does not require additional state water appropriations. Storing these return flows in a balancing reservoir offers several benefits, including improved water quality and the ability to store water during periods of surplus for use during drought conditions. Under this strategy, water would be delivered to the Joe Pool Lake area through a proposed 36.5-mile transmission system. The MSBR strategy is currently configured to be placed into service by 2050, with a targeted firm yield of 102 million gallons per day by 2060. Multiple potential configurations exist that could further increase supply reliability and availability; however, additional analysis is required to determine the most beneficial approach for DWU.
The 2024 LRWSP recommended that DWU initiate a permitting and feasibility study for the MSBR as the next step in advancing this strategy. DWU has completed a solicitation for professional services, selected the most qualified firm, and now seeks authorization to execute a professional services contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. dba Stantec to perform the MSBR feasibility study. The study will include data collection and review; reservoir site identification and selection; site characterization and evaluation; water resource and water quality analyses; conceptual design of reservoir facilities and related infrastructure; environmental resource assessments and permitting considerations; cost estimates; and preparation of a Feasibility Study Report. Completion of this study will provide the necessary foundation and direction to advance the MSBR strategy and support achieving the targeted 2050 in-service date.
The consulting firm was selected through a qualifications-based selection process in accordance with City of Dallas Administrative Directive 4-05 procurement guidelines.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin Study March 2026
Complete Study September 2027
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was briefed on the 2024 Long Range Water Supply Plan, Recommended Strategies, Alternate Strategies, and Infrastructure Requirements on December 3, 2024.
The City Council authorized adoption of Recommended Strategies, Alternate Strategies, and Infrastructure Recommendations identified in the Dallas 2024 Long Range Water Supply Plan and authorized the City Manager to submit the adopted strategies and infrastructure recommendations to the Region C Planning Group in accordance with State Law for the State’s 2027 Water Plan on December 11, 2024
The City Council was briefed on the “2024 Long Range Water Supply Plan Update” on December 3, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
Water Capital Improvement F Fund |
$2,949,946.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
LOCAL PARTICIPATION
|
Prime |
Status |
Workforce % |
|
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. |
Non-local |
0.00% |
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. dba Stantec
Gord Johnston, President and Chief Executive Officer
MAP
Attached