Odessa approves $25M in funds to address water issues

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Odessa City Council approved a $25 million, two-part plan to address the City's failing water infrastructure; the plan will not increase the City's debt or be a "burden to the taxpayer", City leaders said. 

According to City Manager, John Beckmeyer, phase one of this two-part plan will be the strategic replacement of approximately 171 valves that have the most impact on the city.

“When a break can’t be isolated, it can turn what would be an otherwise minor repair into a City-wide failure,” he said.

Phase 2, which will start before the completion of the valve project, will be the replacement of 17,025 linear feet of 18- and 24-inch lines where some of the most impactful breaks have occurred.

The funds for these projects will come from the revenue from sales of wastewater and unused bond funds purposed for water and sewer projects.