Bastrop City Council Approves Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Contract

Project Overview and Funding

On Tuesday, the Bastrop City Council approved a $2.4 million contract to rehabilitate two of the city’s wastewater treatment plants, Wastewater Treatment Plants No. 1 and No. 2. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, by enhancing the city’s wastewater management infrastructure to ensure sustainable water quality and availability.

The rehabilitation project addresses the long-overdue maintenance of the plants, originally constructed in 1975 and 1988, which have suffered from accumulated grit and debris, leading to reduced treatment capacity. Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 3, which began operation on May 7, 2024, will temporarily handle wastewater treatment during the refurbishment, effectively doubling the city’s treatment capacity and supporting SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Funding for the project includes $2.2 million from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal infrastructure program, with the city’s wastewater department covering the remaining approximately $112,000. This investment supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by improving essential urban infrastructure.

Contractual Terms and Liquidated Damages Discussion

Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland expressed concerns regarding the contract’s liquidated damages clause, which currently stipulates a $100 daily late fee if the project deadline is not met. Kirkland proposed increasing this penalty to $3,295 per day to incentivize timely completion, suggesting a sliding scale where the contractor would forfeit payments if the project is excessively delayed.

• Current proposed late fee: $100 per day
• Kirkland’s proposed late fee: $3,295 per day
• Sliding scale penalty based on delay duration

City staff explained that the $100 fee originates from ARPA contract templates, which recommend this minimum amount. City Manager Sylvia Carrillo emphasized the need to negotiate a balanced penalty rate with Emerson Construction Company Inc., the contractor, to avoid discouraging participation while ensuring accountability.

Balancing Accountability and Feasibility

Carrillo stated that while $100 per day is low, Kirkland’s proposed penalty is extraordinarily high and may deter contractors. The city aims to find a “Goldilocks zone” for liquidated damages, a position supported by City Attorney Stanley Springerly, who noted that typical penalties range from $1,500 to $2,500 per day. Excessive penalties risk non-enforcement by courts, while insufficient penalties fail to motivate timely completion.

Water and wastewater director Curtis Hancock warned that setting penalties too high could cause the contractor to withdraw, leading to further delays that the city’s wastewater infrastructure cannot sustain. This highlights the importance of maintaining resilient infrastructure to support the city’s growth, directly contributing to SDG 9 and SDG 11.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The rehabilitation ensures improved wastewater treatment capacity, protecting water quality and public health.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Upgrading aging infrastructure supports sustainable industrial development and innovation in water management.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Enhancing wastewater treatment infrastructure contributes to resilient and sustainable urban environments.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Utilization of federal ARPA funds demonstrates effective collaboration between local and federal governments to achieve sustainable development.

Conclusion

The Bastrop City Council’s approval of the wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation contract represents a critical step toward sustainable urban infrastructure development. By carefully negotiating contract terms and leveraging federal funding, the city aims to enhance its wastewater management system in alignment with multiple Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability and community well-being.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article discusses the rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants, directly relating to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The investment in upgrading wastewater infrastructure aligns with building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article highlights the city’s efforts to improve wastewater treatment capacity to support urban growth, contributing to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 6 Targets
   • 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, and substantially increasing water recycling and safe reuse.
   • 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water (implied through wastewater treatment improvements).
2. SDG 9 Targets
   • 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
3. SDG 11 Targets
   • 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Wastewater Treatment Capacity
   • The article mentions the increase in treatment capacity with the commissioning of Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 3, which nearly doubles the city’s capacity. This can be an indicator of infrastructure improvement progress.
2. Project Completion Timeliness
   • The discussion on liquidated damages and penalties for late completion implies the use of project deadline adherence as an indicator to measure progress and efficiency in infrastructure projects.
3. Funding Utilization
   • The allocation and use of American Rescue Plan Act funds ($2.2 million) for the project can be tracked as an indicator of financial resource mobilization and utilization for sustainable infrastructure development.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: statesman.com