San Marcos Surface Water

The City of San Marcos obtained al of its potable water from wells in the Edwards Aquifer. Due to rapid growth and new limitations on the pumping rate that could be withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer, the City determined to develop a Surface water source to meets its growing water needs. Using hydraulic modeling of the water distribution system and available land tracts, a site was recommended. The site had to be accessible, have adequate power availability, and allow for efficient distribution of the treated water into the water system.. A treatment process evaluation was performed comparing conventional flocculation / sedimentation with various high-rate processes and low-pressure membrane filtration. Detailed design of the 6 MGD San Marcos Surface Water Treatment Plant improvements was completed. Subsequently a plant uprating evaluation was performed to that enabled the City to receive variance from TCEQ to allowthe plant capacity to be increased to 9 mgd. Work was completed by Lee Head while working with another firm.