David W. McMullen

The meeting agenda for the Canyon Regional Water Authority Board of Trustees included several key items for discussion and possible action. General business items involved discussing and potentially acting on resolutions to amend administrative policies concerning the hiring of past and present appointed Board Members and their immediate family members, and amending administrative policies to include a revised credit card policy. The Board also considered executing short-term agreements for water reservation and project development participation with several Special Utility Districts (SUDs) related to the Brackish Carrizo-Wilcox Project, and executing an amendment to the water supply agreement with GBRA for the VFD upgrades project. Reports covered water supply, facility operations, capital projects (including drought conditions, treatment operations, and various ongoing projects like the Reedville Pipeline Project tie-in), external affairs (including groundwater leases, regulatory updates, and legislative matters), and committee reports. The Board also addressed the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit and discussed reducing the number of Board members from 22 to 11.

The Board of Managers meeting agenda included a review of the February 4, 2026, meeting notes, followed by comprehensive updates. Key discussion items covered water precipitation/drought status, including reports on GBRA In-Out Basin and drought mitigation short-term water leases. Treated water production updates were provided for Lake Dunlap, Wells Ranch, and Hays Caldwell WTPs, noting maintenance issues such as clarifier motor replacements at Lake Dunlap. An extensive update on Water Treatment Plant Improvement Projects detailed progress on strainer improvements, membrane upgrades, and generator projects at various facilities. Specific project discussions involved the Wells Ranch III/Blumberg Project, well upgrades, and replacement planning. General topics included updates on Gonzales Water Leases, the CRWA Master Plan Development RFQ issuance, and debriefs from WTP tours. The agenda concluded with a preview of the Board of Trustees agenda.

The Board of Managers meeting agenda included the review and corrections of the December 3, 2025, meeting notes. Key discussion items involved updates on water precipitation, drought conditions including the Canyon Lake status and short-term water leases for drought mitigation, and treated water production across the Lake Dunlap, Wells Ranch, and Hays Caldwell WTPs. Significant time was dedicated to updates on Water Treatment Plant Improvement Projects, covering strainer improvements and membrane upgrades at Lake Dunlap WTP, the emergency generator project at Wells Ranch WTP, and Phases 1 and 2 improvements, membrane filter upgrades, and a pilot study at Hays Caldwell WTP. Furthermore, Wells Ranch projects discussed included the Wells Ranch III Project/Blumberg Project, Well Nos. 2 & 14 Upgrades, and the replacement status of Well No. 1. General topics included Gonzales Water Leases, the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issuance for CRWA Master Plan Development, and coordination for WTP tours.

The meeting commenced with an introduction from the interim manager, who outlined plans for individual and group meetings with staff to address operational issues. Key discussion items included the transition of raw water distribution (5200 acre-feet) following Saws' contract termination with Gber Raw Water, requiring a response to GBR by January 31st. The board also addressed resignations from two board members. Significant time was dedicated to discussing project funding options, particularly the SWIFT program, noting that bridge applications are due February 1st and require projects to be listed in the Regional Plan with specified dollar amounts to qualify for funding. Discussions also covered the DEFUND program, which is a bond-based funding mechanism, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), requiring a project information form for inclusion. Additionally, the status of proposed new policies on water loss accounting and raw water management was reviewed, with the water loss accounting draft sent for internal review. A discussion also touched upon challenges with raw water demand fluctuations leading to underutilization of GPR water during low-demand months and the need to fulfill contractual obligations.

The meeting commenced with the oath and statement of office for newly appointed trustees. Key agenda items involved the election of officers for president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Staff reports covered the drought status, noting momentary stream flow increases without affecting the overall flow rate from the canyon. Updates on water treatment and storage included three wells going down at Wells Ranch, requiring a complete rework of one well due to incorrect threading. Facility upgrades for Lake Dunlap are progressing, with contracts for strainers and membrane improvements expected to be finalized. For Haze Caldwell, focus shifted to implementing mobile membrane filtration units, requiring engineered plans due to recent TCQ directives, which has delayed pilot study preparations. A significant hiccup was reported in the ground storage tank construction where underground piping and conduit were incorrectly installed due to a subcontractor lacking complete plans from DN Tank; corrective actions are being managed with DN Tank held responsible. Easement acquisitions for the Haze Caldwell phase one pipeline are ongoing, with two parcels causing minor concern due to property owner circumstances. Emergency ratification was sought for the necessary rework of the compromised well at Wells Ranch, with provisions made to lease water from Springs Hill and Green Valley to cover the resulting production deficiency.