Water & Wastewater Reimagined

By 2025, more than two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to face water scarcity. This reality is governing mandates across the state of Texas to help conserve water, a critical and most essential community resource.

Pioneering Sustainability with Waste Reduction and Alternative sources

Authors: Larry Mueller, PE | Kate Hallaway, PE

aBSTRACT

BGE, Inc.’s sustainable water management project in partnership with Cinco Municipal Utility District No. 1 (Cinco MUD 1) focuses on conservation, reclaimed water, and alternative sources. The firm’s innovative engineering solution has led to millions of dollars in annual cost savings, reduced dependency on groundwater, and the ultimate goal — water preservation. Such efforts will make a lasting impact in Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, and serve as a model for long-term water management across the region.

Comprehensive Water Management Solution

For this project, Cinco MUD 1 implemented a multifaceted approach engineered by BGE to address water scarcity and sustainability through an innovative water management solution. The project objective supports reducing dependency on groundwater and enhancing water conservation practices in a West Houston community. BGE partnered with Cinco MUD 1 to develop this comprehensive plan. The result: an ACEC National and ACEC Texas Engineering Excellence Gold Award-winning solution that has achieved the following:

Cinco MUD 1 Project at-a-Glance

Water Usage and Conservation Challenges

West Houston and many regions in Texas face significant challenges regarding water usage and conservation due to regulatory mandates and environmental factors. In 2015, 32,000 residents used 2.1 billion gallons of water, with 800 million gallons (40%) allocated for irrigation. The Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) mandated a 30% reduction in groundwater usage by 2015 and 60% by 2025.

Innovative Use of Reclaimed Water

BGE helped modernize Cinco MUD 1’s water infrastructure to utilize reclaimed water for irrigation in recreational areas, significantly reducing potable water usage. Approximately 60,000 feet of distribution piping was laid for reclaimed water use. The initiative has saved $6 million in pumpage fees and conserved 1.46 billion gallons of irrigation water by 2023.

Introduction of Brackish Water Desalination

The project was innovative in that brackish groundwater desalination was introduced as a new alternative water source for the region. A microfiltration and reverse osmosis treatment facility was constructed. The facility will provide 2.75 million gallons of water daily at full capacity.

Addressing Groundwater Dependency and Subsidence

A major goal of revitalizing the district’s aging facility, originally built in the 1970s, is to mitigate the negative impacts of groundwater dependency and land subsidence in the Houston area. Groundwater pumping has caused water level declines of approximately 400 feet and land-surface subsidence of up to 10 feet.

Economic Impact and Future Projections

BGE’s solution has significant economic benefits and will contribute to future savings, with more than $6 million saved to date. It also demonstrates a scalable approach for similarly sized regions facing water challenges.

Complexities Encountered During Implementation

The project faced various complexities during the design, permitting, and construction phases. These lessons learned contribute positively to engineering efforts involving, for example, the installation of an extensometer to monitor subsidence impacts, drilling in challenging geological formations, and unexpected water quality issues requiring additional treatment solutions.

Commitment to Sustainable Water Solutions

BGE and Cinco MUD 1 are dedicated to sustainable water management practices that benefit the community. This partnership has transformed water infrastructure while meeting local requirements, fostering both a commitment to best practices and water conservation compliance. BGE’s role as a full-service infrastructure solutions provider to public works and multidiscipline teams represents engineering excellence and environmental stewardship for local communities and beyond.

Figure 1: Cinco MUD 1 reclaimed water lines map

Project Overview

Imagine waking up one day to find that the water you depend on has stopped flowing, city services have been cut off, and there is seemingly no solution in sight. It’s a scary thought, but as water becomes an increasingly limited resource due to droughts, weather events, and other unpredictable circumstances, it’s a reality many communities can and have faced. A bird’s-eye view reveals another pressing issue — entire cities, like Houston and Galveston, are sinking at an alarming rate as groundwater is withdrawn at unsustainable volumes.

It’s clear that the journey to alternative water sources must begin now, and we can’t afford to wait, but where should we start?

Located in the West Houston suburb of Katy, Texas, Cinco Municipal Utility District No. 1 (Cinco MUD 1) is home to more than 32,000 residents. Annually, residents use 2.1 billion gallons of water, and an estimated 800 million (almost 40 percent) of those gallons are used for irrigation – all of which comes from potable water attained from groundwater wells (Figure 2).

Cinco MUD 1 is under the jurisdiction of the Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD), which mandated a 30 percent reduction in groundwater usage by 2015 and 60 percent by 2025. In addition, Cinco MUD 1 is a member of the North Fort Bend Water Authority (NFBWA), an entity created to facilitate meeting these requirements by providing surface water for water users within its boundaries. However, Cinco MUD 1 realized that conversion to a surface water source was only part of the change needed for the future.

To reimagine the future while also helping comply with the groundwater withdrawal reduction mandate, Cinco MUD 1 partnered with BGE, Inc., alongside additional firms, to assist with the development and implementation of a comprehensive solution.

*Figure 2: 800 million gallons of water used for irrigation*

The goal was to ensure the area met the new regulations of the FBSD, diversify water supply sources, prepare for future droughts, and be a good steward of natural resources.

To help reduce the amount of potable water used
for irrigation, the area’s water infrastructure was
enhanced to allow for reclaimed water use.

Current wastewater facilities in the area were modified to treat, store, and distribute Type 1 effluent for irrigation purposes. Approximately 60,000 feet of distribution piping was laid to provide reclaimed water to homeowner associations and a golf course for irrigation (Figure 1), equating in $6 million of reduced NFBWA pumpage fees and 1.46 billion gallons of irrigation that did not use potable water as a source, through 2023.

Figure 3: Reverse osmosis membranes inside of Cinco MUD 1’s Brackish Desalination Facility

Additionally, brackish groundwater was identified as a potential alternative water source. A microfiltration and reverse osmosis treatment facility was constructed to serve as the hub for the new water source (Figure 3), providing an expected savings of $2 million annually and 2.75 million gallons of water provided daily at full system completion. Most importantly, residents will benefit significantly in the coming years when water scarcity is expected to increase drastically.

INNOVATIVE APPLICATION: INTRODUCING AN ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCE

BGE and Cinco MUD 1 recognized that relying on traditional methods was not the solution. New sources and strategies needed to be explored to meet growing water demands. This project embraced innovation by utilizing the desalination of brackish groundwater, an alternative water source being introduced for the first time in Fort Bend County.

Brackish groundwater remains a key component of the State of Texas’ long-term water strategy, with the Texas Water Development Board (TWBD) conducting studies on its untapped potential and even including it in the 2022 State Water Plan. However, due to its complexity and related expenses, it remains underutilized.

Brackish desalination was successfully used in other parts of Texas to provide potable drinking water, so existing treatment technology could be utilized.

*Figure 4: Representation of required drilling depth and correlating geological formations to access Houston’s brackish water source.*
*Drill not to scal*e.

But designing and constructing a brackish water source using the local Jasper Aquifer would be a new endeavor, requiring drilling to depths over 3,000 feet and passing through challenging geologic formations along the way (Figure 4).

This project represented a groundbreaking step in the Houston area, as BGE’s forward-thinking approach has set a precedent for future water solutions in the state.

Adapting for the Future: Mitigating Dependency on Groundwater

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), extensive groundwater pumping has led to water level declines of approximately 400 feet in the Houston area, causing land-surface subsidence of up to 10 feet (Figure 5). The aquifers being tapped cannot recharge quickly enough to keep up with the region’s growing water demand, leading to diminished groundwater well productivity. This subsidence also has worsened regional flooding, compounding the challenges for the community.

Figure 5: Houston subsidence, 1891-2009; Baytown subsidence, 1915-2021

*Figure 6: Drill rig supporting BGE’s 3,000-foot-deep groundwater well construction.*

FBSD’s groundwater conversion mandates aim to reduce the strain on groundwater supplies and mitigate the negative impacts of over-reliance. This project’s water preservation efforts are at the forefront of this shift, providing an innovative solution to decrease dependence on groundwater in the Houston area.

BGE’s comprehensive solution demonstrates the profession’s vital role in safeguarding communities. By successfully utilizing desalination and brackish groundwater, engineers now have a proven model for alternative water sources in larger municipalities. While this solution may not be suitable for smaller cities, it provides a scalable approach that can serve as a blueprint for similar-sized regions facing water shortages.

For over two months, this system has been providing drinking water to the community from alternative sources, showing the public how innovative engineering can both conserve resources and reduce costs — improving the quality of life while protecting the future of water supplies. With a successful model in place, future engineering projects can now confidently look to alternate and untraditional water solutions.

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE LONG AND SHORT-TERM: SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

The saying “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” rings especially true when searching for viable water solutions. Most people now recognize that water is a limited resource, which is reflected in everyday conservation efforts — low-flow toilets, efficient showerheads, and water-conscious appliances. Additionally, in recent years, Texas’s infrastructure has faced the impact of severe weather events, such as hurricanes and freezing conditions, leaving residents without water for days.

The public understands how fragile the ecosystem that supports their drinking water is. However, Cinco MUD 1’s treatment facility stands as a testament to both short-term and long-term sustainable solutions for the community.

In the short term, the facility has introduced drought tolerance by sourcing water from a depth of 3,000 feet — a consistent supply, regardless of rainfall. Additionally, the issue of subsidence has been effectively addressed, eliminating an immediate concern for the region.

Over the next 50 to 100 years, experts have confirmed there will be significant strain on our water systems, infrastructure, and supply. Cinco MUD 1 now bolsters long-term sustainability, as they have established a diversified water supply, ensuring enough water to support its growing population for years to come. This includes ground, surface, and brackish water sources, good conservation practices, and reclaimed water use.

Since Cinco MUD 1 owns and operates a water treatment plant providing regionalized, wholesale service to 10 area MUDs, these short- and long-term sustainability solutions have an exceptional economic impact. To date, these solutions have saved more than $6 million, with projected savings of $4.75 million a year moving forward.

The money saved can now be reinvested to improve other area resources, enhancing the quality of life for residents while reducing the area’s water “footprint” for decades to come.

*Figure 7: Extensometer – Used to measure local surface subsidence.*

COMPLEX SOLUTIONS FOR COMPLEX PROBLEMS

As predicted, the project presented complexities beyond initial expectations. Project complexity began very early in the design and permitting process. FBSD required the design and installation of an extensometer, a device used to measure localized surface subsidence (Figure 7). The USGS maintains 14 extensometers in the greater Houston-Galveston region, the latest of which was built through a combined effort of Cinco MUD 1 and the NFBWA and is co-located onsite with the Cinco MUD 1 brackish well (Figure 8). This device will monitor any direct impacts of brackish water withdrawal on the underlying aquifer.

BGE anticipated that the construction process would be challenging. Drilling a 3,000-foot-deep groundwater well is no small task, especially in a location with unique characteristics near the coast (Figure 6). Construction proved much more complex and time-consuming than originally anticipated. Passing through a geologic formation called the Burkeville Confining Unit proved difficult, taking months to progress through that layer utilizing typical well drilling techniques employed for decades in the greater Houston area

Figure 8: Cinco MUD 1 completed brackish well

Once the well construction was complete, brackish groundwater began to be sampled and proved highly variable, providing significant, unexpected challenges. In addition to the expected elevated salt levels that would be removed during the desalination process, other water quality issues were also encountered. One of the biggest issues was the discovery of extremely high arsenic levels, which required the addition of specialized treatment units to remove it from the groundwater effectively.

Additionally, the water contained high levels of chlorides and iron, which caused impacts on the pumping equipment and reverse osmosis system’s treatment membranes; it also impacted filtration efficiency, raising concerns about long-term maintenance expenses. Methane was also detected, necessitating venting at the well site to ensure safe operations. Lastly, the withdrawal temperature of the water was approximately 105 degrees, which caused aesthetic concerns at delivery. These solutions required careful engineering and regulatory navigation.

The result ensured the highest water quality possible, as reflected in the District’s 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report: “TCEQ completed an assessment of (Cinco’s) source of water, and results indicate that our sources have a low susceptibility to contaminants.”

Exceeding Owner Needs

Figure 9: Cinco central wastewater treatment plant and reclaimed water facilities.

BGE has proudly supported Cinco MUD 1 in its innovative efforts to combat drought, subsidence, and rising water costs through a comprehensive water management solution that includes reclaimed water and brackish groundwater desalination (Figure 9).

The firm is proud to have played a key role in developing and implementing a comprehensive solution that will make a lasting impact on the community, serving as a model for long-term water management across the region.

BGE has been a vital partner in transforming our water infrastructure, ensuring compliance with new regulations and diversifying water supply sources. Their dedication to sustainable water management and commitment to the future of Cinco MUD 1 has had a profound impact on our community.
Dan Whitton, Vice President, Cinco Municipal Utility District No. 1