***UPDATE 03/05/2019 Meter replacement begins today***

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February 12, 2019

Utility Department Projects Update

With the new year comes the start of one new project and Phase II of another.  The 2017 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has been approved and work will be starting by March 1st.  The purpose of the project is to repair and/or replace several sewer collection mains south of Highway 190/36 and recondition several manholes. The City of Cameron has partnered with TCEQ to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce both sewer spills and groundwater infiltration into our system.   The lines and manholes selected have been identified as major contributors to one or both of these issues.  The largest of these repairs is for a sewer collection main that runs from Main St. to Batte St between S. Orchard and S. Colfax.   This line goes through several pastures and a creek.   The repair of this pipe will be done by inserting a flexible fiber lining that is heated and cured in place. 

Phase II of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project has also been approved and will begin immediately.   There are several parts to Phase II including; 1) Replace the remaining 500 to 600 manual read meters with radio frequency auto-read meters. As this part of the project progresses, you will be notified by a door hanger if your meter will be replaced.  The goal is to notify customers at least 24 hours in advance of any work to be done.  2) Installation of a new water main E. 3rd St. including new fire hydrants where needed. 3) Replace undersized or failing distribution lines on E. Gillis, Houston (downtown) and Adams. This will include replacing old or installing new fire hydrants where needed.   Included in these installations will be the running of new service lines for all residences and businesses affected.   

The following projects are scheduled to begin construction at some time this calendar year. 

• Major upgrade to the Water Treatment Plant.
• Construction of new laboratory for water and wastewater testing along with office space for the Utility Department.
• Rehabilitation of the City’s 1.65 million gallon ground storage tank.
• Build a new sludge handling operation for the new sewer plant upgrade.
• Break ground on the new Continuous Flow Sequential Batch Reactor treatment system at the wastewater plant along with modification to some existing facilities.

As always, questions can be directed to the Utility Department through City Hall and as major milestones are achieved, we will continue to keep you updated.   

Jerald Brunson
Utility Director
City of Cameron
jbrunson@camerontexas.net