Lake Nasworthy sewer development project takes another step forward

SAN ANGELO — The Lake Nasworthy area moved one step closer to getting a new wastewater system officials say is crucial for San Angelo's economic future, though it might take some time before residents see any visible signs of progress at the lake.

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, City Council unanimously approved executing the final design and bidding phase for much-needed improvements to Nasworthy's aging sewer line.

The current system is "over capacity," according to a report issued by the City in 2019, and cannot support new restaurants, potential hotels, or other such businesses at Lake Nasworthy until the city fixes its infrastructure woes.

Upgrades are expected to cost roughly $32 million, of which $6 million will come from the Lake Nasworthy Homeowners Association Trust Fund after San Angelo voters approved using the money in 2019.

Andy Vecellio, Assistant Director of Water Utilities, said approving the measure was the "final step" before the bidding stages of the project.

"We're ready to really get down and dirty into the final design," Vecellio told council members, which caused San Angelo Mayor Brenda Gunter to question the project's timetable.

"It just seems like one more step," Gunter said, who later stressed that economic development at the lake had suffered by delays.

"I understand the time-frame. We have to do it right, but there's a lot of need for this to happen ... and I'm running out of patience on the time-frame, I know that," Gunter said.

Vecellio told City Council that he and other officials understood the urgency of getting the project done and were working through the bureaucracy as quickly as they could.

Previous work at the lake included preliminary surveys of the pipeline route, archaeological assessments of the proposed alignment, alternate designs, and preliminary engineering plans, among others, according to City documents.

Vecellio said those steps, classified as "Task Order 1," were 85% complete and the City was now ready to begin "Task Order 2," which would include final designs to roughly nine miles of new pipeline, lift stations, odor control design, and the bidding process itself.

Proposed wastewater line at Lake Nasworthy

City officials estimated "Task Order 2" could take up to 335 days to complete, followed by a waiting period to hire, approve, and mobilize contractors.

"It will probably be mid to late 2023, hopefully, before we see some construction crews out there, Vecellio said during an interview with the Standard-Times.

"But again, there's still a lot of things that need to occur with a project this size," he said. "There's a lot of planning and a lot of communication that needs to take place."

City in talks with San Angelo homeowners for access to private property

One thing that could hinder progress on the new wastewater system are negotiations with San Angelo homeowners who are reluctant to allow the City onto private property.

"One property owner has, to date, denied access to private property. A second property owner has denied access through personal property, due to timing constraints, to allow access for archaeological investigations on leased property that is owned by the City," according to municipal documents.

Vecellio said the City would need to access that private property with easements for construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed sewer collection facilities.

"We're going through some private properties, so property acquisition will be necessary in the form of easement," Vecellio said, adding that "condemnation" and eminent domain proceedings would be necessary if the City can't reach an agreement with the property owners.

While official are eager to get started, Vecellio stressed any eminent domain proceedings against private property owners would require further Council action—formal negotiations would occur first—as an additional check against government overreach.

After discussion, city council unanimously approved, 6-0, "Task Order 2" on its consent agenda in the amount of $1.58 million, as well as a regular agenda item allowing eminent domain proceedings, if necessary, to complete the sewer line project at Lake Nasworthy.

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John Tufts covers enterprise and investigative topics in West Texas. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Lake Nasworthy sewer development project takes another step forward