In December 1999, GBRA met with several area communities and water supply corporations to explore ways to use excess treatment capacity at GBRA's Luling Water Treatment Plant.

After completing cost estimates and a blending study, the City of Lockhart elected to supplement its existing well water supply with surface water from the San Marcos River and the Luling Water Treatment Plant.

This cooperative project among GBRA, the City of Luling and the City of Lockhart was designed to deliver treated drinking water from the Luling WTP to the City of Lockhart. The blended water will enhance overall water quality by reducing the mineral content in Lockhart's current water, which was originally sourced completely from wells.

GBRA obtained all necessary permits to finance, design, construct and operate the project. An additional pump station was required at the Luling Water Treatment plant, and a SCADA system was installed with radios at each plant and radio repeaters midway along the pipeline to provide for remote operation, as needed.

This project cost approximately $6-million and can deliver up to 1.5 million gallons of water per day. Almost 15 miles of 14" diameter pipe connects the Luling WTP and the City of Lockhart.

The project is complete and Lockhart received its first water delivery on March 16, 2005. The project is estimated to deliver 80% treated water from Luling blended with 20% water from the Lockhart wells on an annual basis.

Lockhart's citizens now benefit from an additional firm, economical water supply.

GBRA also negotiated option agreements for two privately held water rights on the San Marcos River. When purchased, these water rights will ensure additional water for the City of Lockhart's use once the existing GBRA water rights are fully utilized to serve the City of Luling.

Updated: October 11, 2006