Storyline · 15 events · Jul 2001 – Feb 28, 2027
Osage Water Treatment Plant: filter, basin and chlorine rehabilitation (2001-2026)
The Osage Water Treatment Plant is the City of Amarillo's surface-water treatment plant, treating CRMWA water from Lake Meredith and the Roberts County well field; the City lists its treatment capacity as 70 million gallons per day. After filter failures in 2019 the council approved emergency filter replacements, then a $4.03 million filter rehabilitation (2020). From 2024 it approved design and construction contracts for the sedimentation (settling) basins and the chlorine system: Phase I basin relining ($2,279,000, December 2024), the chlorine system replacement ($4,950,000, April 2026) and Phase II basin repairs ($3,071,000 to MH Civil Constructors, September 22, 2026). The 2024-2026 contracts name water and sewer fund revenues as the funding source. This storyline is about the water treatment plant, not the Osage Street sewer lift stations covered under sewer collection spills.
A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines
Where the story starts depends on the framing
- From the 2019 emergency filter failures to the 2026 basin and chlorine work: starts with Council approves emergency replacement of three failed filters at the Osage plant (Apr 16, 2019)
- From the 2001 expansion of the plant to 70 million gallons per day: starts with Osage plant expansion from 40 to 70 million gallons per day reported (about Jul 2001)
· Context
Osage plant expansion from 40 to 70 million gallons per day reported
A July 2001 trade-press report said about $20 million in improvements at the Osage plant would raise its treatment from 40 million to 70 million gallons per day, with the benefit expected the following summer. The City's current water production page lists the treatment plant's capacity as 70 million gallons per day.[1][2]
- ✓ Verified
The City's water production page states that the City of Amarillo water treatment plant has a treatment capacity of 70 million gallons per day, with 15 million gallons of ground storage and a 480-million-gallon reservoir of untreated water for peak demand periods. A 2001 trade-press report said about $20 million in improvements would raise the Osage plant from 40 to 70 million gallons per day. [2][1]
- Capacity mgd
- 70
- Prior capacity mgd
- 40
- Expansion cost
- $20,000,000
- ✓ Verified
The City is one of eleven member cities of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA), which supplies water from Lake Meredith and its Roberts County well field; the City lists its CRMWA allocation as 11.550 billion gallons per year. [2]
· Origin
Council approves emergency replacement of three failed filters at the Osage plant
On April 16, 2019 the council approved, 5-0, a $396,125 change order to a Dowtech Specialty Contractors contract to replace Filter 7 and a $713,500 emergency contract with MH Civil Constructors to replace Filters 2 and 3, of the plant's eight rapid sand filters. Staff memos said the filters had failed, that the plant's permit allows one filter out of service at a time, and that the work was treated as an emergency ahead of May-September peak demand. On April 23 the council, with the mayor absent, approved on its consent agenda a $64,400 emergency KSA Engineers contract for construction management of the filter repairs.[3][4][5][6]
Ginger NelsonJonathan GreshamMH Civil Constructors, Inc.KSA Engineers, Inc.
- ✓ Verified
On April 16, 2019 the council approved, 5-0, Change Order No. 1 to a Dowtech Specialty Contractors contract ($396,125, raising it from $1,990,400 to $2,386,525) to replace Filter 7, and, 5-0, a $713,500 emergency contract with MH Civil Constructors to replace Filters 2 and 3. [3][4][5]
- Change order
- $396,125
- Revised contract
- $2,386,525
- Mh civil contract
- $713,500
- ✓ Verified
City of Amarillo Director of Utilities (staff memo): Staff memos said the plant's eight rapid sand filters are essential to maintain potable water production, the plant is permitted to have one filter out of service at a time, Filters 2, 3 and 7 had failed unexpectedly, and the City anticipated needing maximum treating capacity from May through September 2019. [3]
- ✓ Verified
A $64,400 emergency contract with KSA Engineers to act as construction project manager for the Filter 2 and 3 repairs was on the April 23, 2019 consent agenda, which the draft minutes record as approved with the mayor absent. [5][6]
- Amount
- $64,400
· Precursor
KSA Engineers hired to design Osage filter underdrain and media rehabilitation ($784,000)
The council approved, 5-0, a $784,000 engineering agreement with KSA Engineers to evaluate and design new filter underdrains and media profiles at the Osage Water Treatment Plant.[7][8]
· Related development
Contract to rehabilitate the Osage plant backwash water tank ($472,000)
The council approved, 5-0, a $472,000 contract with NG Painting, LP to rehabilitate the plant's backwash water tank with a high-performance coating and modify it to meet current code.[9][10]
· Starting point
Stolz Mechanical awarded $4.03 million Osage filter rehabilitation
On the consent agenda approved 5-0, the council awarded Bid No. 6851 to Stolz Mechanical Contractors for $4,029,950 to replace filter underdrains and media with stainless-steel underdrains. The memo said two underdrain systems had failed, reducing the plant's ability to produce water at full capacity, and that the lower-profile underdrains gave the City its best opportunity to ask TCEQ for an increase in the plant's overall flow rating. A May 2021 change order for sidewalks ($71,015) brought the contract to $4,090,665.[11][12][13]
Stolz Mechanical Contractors, LLC
- ✓ Verified
On August 11, 2020 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent agenda, Bid No. 6851 Osage Water Treatment Plant Filter Rehabilitation to Stolz Mechanical Contractors for $4,029,950, funded from project 523385 (WTP Filter Rehabilitation). [11][12]
- Amount
- $4,029,950
- ✓ Verified
City of Amarillo Director of Utilities (staff memo): The staff memo said two filter underdrain systems had failed, diminishing the ability to produce water at full capacity, and that standardizing on low-profile stainless-steel underdrains would give the City its best opportunity to ask TCEQ for an increase in the plant's overall flow rating. The documents reviewed do not show whether such a request was made or granted. [11]
- ✓ Verified
Change Order No. 2 to the Stolz filter rehabilitation contract added $71,015 for sidewalks for safe access; after Change Order No. 1 (a $10,300 reduction) the contract total became $4,090,665. It was on the May 11, 2021 consent agenda recorded in the draft minutes in the May 25, 2021 packet. [13]
- Original
- $4,029,950
- Change order 2
- $71,015
- Revised total
- $4,090,665
· Context
2023-2028 capital plan lists Osage plant projects
The City's 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program lists Surface Water Treatment (Osage Water Plant) projects including the chlorine system ($1,265,758), sedimentation basin improvements ($2,500,000 in FY2024), air scour for filters ($4,350,000), CPS 15 and 16 inverter replacement ($924,000), generators ($1,600,000) and Chem II building HVAC ($400,000), all programmed amounts.[14]
- ✓ Verified
The 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program lists, for Surface Water Treatment (Osage Water Plant): Chlorine System (project 523440, $1,000,000 in FY2024 and $265,758 in FY2025), Sedimentation Basin Improvements ($2,500,000 in FY2024), Air Scour for Filters ($600,000 in FY2025 and $3,750,000 in FY2026), CPS 15 and 16 Inverter Replacement ($924,000 in FY2026), Osage generators ($1,600,000 in FY2028) and Chem II building HVAC ($400,000 in FY2028). These are programmed amounts, not spending. [14]
- Chlorine system
- $1,265,758
- Sedimentation basin
- $2,500,000
- Air scour
- $4,350,000
· Related development
HDR Engineering hired to design Osage chlorination improvements ($675,770)
On the consent agenda approved 5-0, the council awarded HDR Engineering a $675,770 professional services agreement for design, inspection and construction-phase services to rehabilitate the liquefied chlorine gas storage and feed system in the plant's chemical building.[15][16]
Michael PriceHDR Engineering, Inc.
- ✓ Verified
On April 9, 2024 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent agenda, a $675,770 professional services agreement with HDR Engineering for preliminary and final design, inspection and construction-phase services to rehabilitate the liquefied chlorine gas storage and feed system, funded from water and sewer revenues. [15][16]
- Amount
- $675,770
· Related development
KSA Engineers hired to design sedimentation basin repairs
On the consent agenda approved 5-0, the council awarded KSA Engineers $257,500 to design replacement of the foundational floor of a sedimentation basin and clarifier area, with construction estimated at $4,500,000 over two years. The memo said a similar project was done on a different basin in 2012 and cited cracking, spalling and delamination of the sub-floor.[17][18][19]
Michael PriceKSA Engineers, Inc.
- ✓ Verified
On August 27, 2024 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent agenda (item 8.T), a contract with KSA Engineers for design of sedimentation basin repairs; the City estimated total construction at $4,500,000 over two years. [17][18][19]
- Construction estimate
- $4,500,000
- ⚠ Sources differ
City records give different original amounts for KSA Engineers' sedimentation basin design contract.
- Amount
- $257,500
Amount on the August 27, 2024 agenda item and transmittal memo (RFQ 24-24, design phases 1 and 2, phase 1 bidding, construction administration and inspection)
Reported value 2[20]
- Amount
- $395,000
Original award listed for the Sedimentation Basin Phase I and II Design contract in the September 23, 2025 Change Order No. 1 item
- ✓ Verified
City of Amarillo Interim Director of Utilities (staff memo): The August 2024 memo said a project in 2012 replaced the foundational floor in a different sedimentation basin and that this was the next phase of foundation replacement due to cracking, spalling and delamination of the sub-floor. [18]
· Related development
MH Civil Constructors awarded Phase I basin relining ($2,279,000)
On the consent agenda approved 5-0, the council awarded MH Civil Constructors $2,279,000 to reline the east sedimentation basin, Phase I of a two-phase project procured through Bonfire RFP 200-25 RNG and funded from water and sewer fund revenues.[21][22]
Michael PriceMH Civil Constructors, Inc.
- ✓ Verified
On December 10, 2024 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent agenda, a $2,279,000 contract with MH Civil Constructors to reline the east sedimentation basin at the Osage plant, Phase I of a two-phase project (Bonfire RFP 200-25 RNG), from CIP project 523879 with a $2,500,000 balance. [21][22]
- Amount
- $2,279,000
- Project balance
- $2,500,000
· Context
Council work session held at the Osage plant's ozone building
A council orientation work session met in the ozone building of the Osage Water Treatment Plant at 3701 S. Osage; the Director of Utilities presented a departmental overview and toured council members through the plant. No votes were taken.[23]
- ✓ Verified
On May 27, 2025 a council orientation work session was held in the ozone building of the Osage Water Treatment Plant at 3701 S. Osage; the Director of Utilities, Michael Price, presented the Water and Sewer Utilities overview and toured the governing body around the plant. Mayor Stanley and Councilmember Tipps were absent. [23]
· Related development
Change order adds $41,000 to the basin Phase I and II design contract
On the consent agenda approved 5-0, the council approved Change Order No. 1 to KSA Engineers' Sedimentation Basin Phase I and II Design contract, listing an original award of $395,000 and a revised total of $436,000.[20]
Michael PriceKSA Engineers, Inc.
- ✓ Verified
On September 23, 2025 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent agenda, Change Order No. 1 to KSA Engineers' Sedimentation Basin Phase I and II Design contract: $41,000, for a revised total of $436,000, from water and sewer fund revenues. [20]
- Change order
- $41,000
- Revised total
- $436,000
· Context
SCADA software upgrade for the Osage plant ($189,005)
On the consent agenda approved 5-0, the council approved a $189,005 purchase from Schneider Electric to upgrade the plant's supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.[24]
- ✓ Verified
On February 10, 2026 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent agenda, a $189,005 purchase from Schneider Electric (Omnia Partners R220703) to upgrade the Osage plant's SCADA system. [24]
- Amount
- $189,005
· Related development
Stolz Mechanical awarded $4.95 million chlorine system replacement
The council voted 5-0 to award Stolz Mechanical Contractors $4,950,000 (BVB 406-25 KD) to replace the plant's chlorine disinfection system, funded from water and sewer fund revenues (CIP 523440). The staff memo said the system was installed around 1996 and was becoming harder to maintain and susceptible to breakdown, and that a temporary backup disinfection system must be installed during construction.[25][26]
Donny HooperDon TippsLes SimpsonStolz Mechanical Contractors, LLC
- ✓ Verified
On April 14, 2026 the council voted 5-0 (motion by Councilmember Tipps, second by Councilmember Simpson) to award Stolz Mechanical Contractors a $4,950,000 construction contract to replace the Osage plant's chlorine system, funded from water and sewer fund revenues (CIP 523440) after best value bid BVB 406-25 KD. [25][26]
- Amount
- $4,950,000
- ✓ Verified
City of Amarillo Director of Utilities - Operations (staff memo): The staff memo said the chlorine disinfection system was installed around 1996, was becoming more difficult to maintain and susceptible to breaking down, "which makes the system inadequate to meet safe drinking water standards issued by the State and Federal governments," and that construction must include all TCEQ-required safety and process-control parameters. [26]
· Peak
MH Civil Constructors awarded Phase II settling basin repairs ($3,071,000)
The council voted 5-0 to award MH Civil Constructors $3,071,000 (base bid $2,951,000 plus $120,000 in alternates, BVB 415-26, West Basin) for Phase II of the Osage settling basin repairs, funded from water and sewer fund revenues (CIP PRJ-523952). The memo said the basin and several components had reached the end of their service life, that the work would extend their life by up to 20 years, and that construction was planned for November-February with a 140-day contract term.[27][28][29]
Cole StanleyDavid PrescottLes SimpsonMH Civil Constructors, Inc.
- ✓ Verified
On September 22, 2026 the council voted 5-0 (motion by Councilmember Prescott, second by Councilmember Simpson) to award MH Civil Constructors $3,071,000 for Osage Water Treatment Plant Settling Basin Repairs Phase II, funded from water and sewer fund revenues (CIP PRJ-523952). The minutes cited are the draft minutes in the October 13, 2026 packet. [27][29]
- Amount
- $3,071,000
- ✓ Verified
The award followed best value bid BVB 415-26 (Phase 02 - West Basin), in which MH Civil Constructors was identified as the low bidder with a base bid of $2,951,000 and $120,000 in approved alternates (lean concrete fill in the west and east basins, $60,000 each). CIP PRJ-523952, Sedimentation Basin Repairs, had a current balance of $3,761,020. [28]
- Base bid
- $2,951,000
- Alternates
- $120,000
- Total
- $3,071,000
- Project balance
- $3,761,020
- ✓ Verified
City of Amarillo Director of Utilities - Operations (staff memo): The staff memo said the existing basin and several of its components had reached the end of their service life and required rehabilitation "to maintain safe, reliable, and regulatory-compliant operation"; Phase II covers concrete and joint repairs, mechanical equipment rehabilitation, component replacement, protective coatings and sludge box repairs, and is intended to extend the infrastructure's useful life by up to 20 years. [28]
- ✓ Verified
The 2019 Filter 7 change order (Water and Sewer Fund balance), the 2024 HDR chlorination design, the 2024 Phase I basin relining, the 2026 chlorine system and the 2026 Phase II basin contracts all name water and sewer fund revenues as their funding source. None of the Osage plant items reviewed cited revenue bonds, certificates of obligation or Texas Water Development Board loans. [3][15][22][26][28]
· ResolutionScheduled
Phase II basin construction window (November 2026 - February 2027)
The City's memo said Phase II construction was anticipated during the lower water-demand period between November and February, with a 140-calendar-day contract term.[28]
- Pending
Phase II construction was anticipated during the lower water-demand period between November and February, with a contract term of 140 calendar days (a City projection). As of October 14, 2026 no report of construction starting had been located. [28]
Related storylines: CRMWA II: the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority's proposed second groundwater pipeline (2012-2038)