TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL
2. HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
3. TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
4. FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
5. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
6. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The City of Donna, Texas has proposed to construct various infrastructure improvements to allow it to better serve area residents and to improve and preserve environmental and human health conditions. The existing water and wastewater systems do not have the capacities to allow the City to expand its services to areas that are not currently served or are under-served. As part of the overall water infrastructure improvement projects planned for the Donna area, the Donna residents and colonia residents will benefit from the construction of a new surface water treatment facility, construction of a new elevated storage tank, expansion of the water distribution system to the colonias, and improvements to the existing water distribution system by replacing existing deteriorated and inadequate water piping. As part of the overall wastewater infrastructure improvements planned for the Donna area, Donna residents and colonia residents will benefit from the expansion of the existing wastewater treatment plant, improvements to the existing wastewater treatment plant, expansion of the existing wastewater collection system to provide service to the surrounding colonias, construction of three new wastewater lift stations, and the elimination of up to ten existing lift stations. The overall effect of the proposed water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects will be to allow the City of Donna to supply potable water and collect and treat wastewater from residents in the City and surrounding colonias. Some colonia residents completely lack access to healthy water and wastewater services; other water and wastewater services are substandard and in need of significant improvements. Improving and regulating potable water sources as well as wastewater disposal within Donna and the surrounding colonias will result in preserving, protecting, and enhancing the environment and the health of Donna area residents. The City is seeking funding, in the form of grants and loans, to assist it in designing and constructing these improvements.

An alternatives analysis of several improvement options for both the water and wastewater systems were explored prior to developing preferred improvement alternatives. Water treatment system alternatives investigated during this preliminary planning process included:

• No project alternative (or no-action alternative)
• Alternative 1 - Construction of a new surface water treatment plant
• Alternative 2 - Expansion and rehabilitation of the City’s existing water treatment facility
• Alternative 3 - Use of groundwater to supplement surface water supplies

Wastewater treatment system alternatives investigated during this preliminary planning process included:

• No project alternative (or no-action alternative)
• Alternative 1 - Expansion and rehabilitation of existing conventional plant
• Alternative 2 - Construction of a new wastewater treatment plant
• Alternative 3 - Individual septic systems
• Alternative 4 - Cluster septic systems
• Alternative 5 - Evapotranspiration effluent disposal system
• Alternative 6 - Land treatment systems

Following the analysis of these alternatives, the currently proposed water and wastewater system improvements were designated. The proposed water system improvements include the following:

• Construction of a new 4.5 MGD surface water treatment facility on a new site.
• Construction of a new elevated water storage tank with a minimum capacity of 200,000 gallons.
• Expansion of the water distribution system to provide service to surrounding colonias.
• Improvements to the existing water distribution system by replacing existing deteriorated and inadequate water piping.

The proposed wastewater system improvements include the following:

• Expansion of the existing wastewater treatment plant from 2.3 MGD to 2.7 MGD.
• Improvements to the existing wastewater treatment plant including preliminary treatment facilities and a sludge handling system.
• Expansion of the existing wastewater collection system to provide service to surrounding colonias.
• The construction of three wastewater lift stations and elimination of up to ten existing lift stations.

Failure to construct the proposed facilities would restrict the City of Donna from providing services to areas which would otherwise remain unserved or under-served. A no-action alternative does not satisfy the requirement of improving the environmental conditions in the City through improved water treatment and distribution, and wastewater collection, which are the goals of this proposed project. With a no-action alternative, the City would continue its existing facilities without any additional capital investments. If no action is taken by the City to improve its water treatment capacity and performance, the City will continue to be cited for violations and fined by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). The people connected to the water system will receive water which does not meet State and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards which is a health hazard. Additionally, since the TNRCC has issued an Agreed Order with the City of Donna requiring the City to build a new water treatment facility, then the no-action alternative is not realistically feasible.

The overall effect of the proposed water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects will be to allow the City of Donna to supply potable water and collect and treat wastewater from residents in the City and surrounding colonias. Several colonias in Donna completely lack access to healthy water and wastewater services; other water and wastewater services are substandard and in need of significant improvements. Improving and regulating potable water sources as well as wastewater disposal within Donna and the surrounding colonias will result in preserving, protecting, and enhancing the environment and the health of Donna area residents.

Numerous environmental issues were reviewed as part of this investigation. Environmental issues were assessed to determine whether or not impacts would occur as a result of these proposed projects. Environmental impacts were considered during the preliminary planning phase of this project so that any identified impacts, or potential impacts, could be minimized or avoided in later design phases using best management practices.

The land, air quality, water quality, natural/biological resources, and floodplains of the Donna area were evaluated during this project to ensure that a high level of environmental protection would be maintained prior to and during this implementation of the proposed water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. The following paragraphs summarize potential impacts to these environmentally-sensitive areas as well as the steps taken to minimize impacts and protect the environment.

Regarding land and land use, improvements to the Study Area are expected to attract an increased population in this area, especially among the 20 colonias surrounding the Donna area. Increased infrastructure services will most likely increase the appraised value of the property in this area. Land use benefits will include a decreased level of degradation since supplied water and sanitary services will eliminate the need for individual septic systems, open pit privies, and individual water wells. Any new development in this area will consist of higher standards than those currently established in many colonias due to the adoption of the Model Subdivision Regulations by Hidalgo County and the City of Donna. Numerous positive impacts to the social and economic aspects of the Donna area are expected as a result of the implementation of the water and wastewater improvements in this area.

Regarding air quality, dispersion of air pollutants readily occurs in the Donna area. Increased population/residences and increased businesses within the Study Area will likely occur with the improved water and wastewater services; these impacts are not expected to degrade the air quality of this area. Increased vehicular traffic, machine or process emissions, or increased business activities resulting from developments within the Study Area will not significantly impact the overall air quality of the area.

Regarding water quality, the purpose of this proposed project is to provide a higher quality of water and sanitary services to the residents of the Donna area and the 20 surrounding colonias. Population increases in the area of the proposed project as well as new residences or businesses in this area will not significantly degrade the water quality within the Study Area since water services, more tightly regulated and of a higher quality, will be supplied to the individuals in this area. The elimination of individual septic tanks and associated leach fields and numerous privies in the area will also serve to increase the overall water quality of the area by decreasing potential impacts to shallow localized groundwaters and/or aquifers. Substandard water wells, which allow for the potential of aquifer contamination, may be plugged and abandoned therefore further decreasing the chances for subsurface contamination.

Construction of the proposed water and wastewater facilities will help to improve the environmental conditions within the City of Donna and surrounding colonias. Wastewater mismanagement occurs frequently throughout the Donna area due to a lack of sanitary waste disposal systems as well as substandard septic systems. Wastewater infrastructure improvements will reduce the volume of untreated or under-treated wastewater reaching local surface water sources. Effectively treating wastewater (which would otherwise remain untreated or under-treated) will improve transboundary water resources such as the Rio Grande River which is utilized as a surface water source by both Texas and Mexico. Downstream users on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border will greatly benefit from wastewater improvements which will serve to reduce the volume of pollutants which enter shared surface water courses. The implementation of infrastructure systems which will improve water quality and long-term sustainable development in the Donna area will significantly contribute to enhancing the environment in not only the U.S. but also in Mexico. Positive transboundary water impacts will be the result of the water and wastewater infrastructure improvements within the greater Donna area.

Regarding natural resources (i.e., plants, animals, and related ecosystems), although growth in the Donna area is expected as a result of the improved water and sanitary services in the area, environmentally-sensitive plants, animals, and ecosystems are not expected to be directly impacted by the proposed project. Since the Donna area has been impacted almost entirely by urbanization and agricultural activities, few areas of native vegetation and few indigenous, non-urbanized animal species are expected to exist within the Study Area.

The City of Donna participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. The majority of the Study Area lies in Zone B, areas between the limits of the 100-year and 500-year flood or areas of 100-year shallow flooding where depths are less than one foot. Much of the City of Donna lies within Zone C, areas outside the 500-year flood. Three Zone A areas, areas of the 100-year flood, are located within the Study Area. Aside from excavation and trenching for the placement of water and wastewater lines, no other impacts to Zone A floodplains are expected by this project. Additionally, one Zone AH area was identified adjacent to the southern-most boundary of the Study Area. Zone AH areas include areas of 100-year shallow flooding where depths are between one and three feet. No impacts from the project are expected in this area.

Overall, no significant adverse environmental impacts will result from the construction or operation of the proposed projects.

The project costs associated with the currently proposed water and wastewater infrastructure improvements for the Donna area are detailed in Table ES-1. Funding sources for these improvements include the North American Development Bank (NADBank) and the Texas Water Development Board Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP).

Costs will be incurred by the residents and businesses that will receive the improved water and wastewater services which will be provided by the City of Donna. The approximate average monthly fee for the average Donna residential water and sewer customer is $28.62 and $13.57, respectively.

The Texas Municipal League has prepared a table, 1997 Water and Wastewater Survey Results, that illustrates that the average charges for water and wastewater services in Donna are moderately priced when compared to similar charges for the same services in other Texas cities, which are roughly the same population size as Donna. This table, was prepared from information published in the June, 1997, issue of The Texas Municipal League. Water and Wastewater rates were compiled for cities in Texas with populations between 10, 000 and 15,000, which include Donna. The latest Donna rates were used in this table. The combined water and sewer bill for usage of 10,000 gallons per month, shows Donna’s being less expensive than two-thirds of other similar sized cities. However, the table does not include other Texas Valley towns. Following the implementation of the water and wastewater improvements in the Donna area, the City will monitor the operational and maintenance costs associated with these improvements. As a cost history is developed, the City will review the water and wastewater rate structure and user fees in place at that time. Adjustments to user fees will be made on a routine basis as deemed appropriate by the City.

The City of Donna has shown support for community growth and the development of businesses which generate local jobs; growth within and surrounding the City of Donna is both anticipated and encouraged. The proposed water and wastewater infrastructure improvements are designed to accommodate a substantial growth within the Donna area over the next 20 years. Business and population increases will be appropriately supplied with water and wastewater services under the proposed design.

A local steering committee, made up of individuals from a variety of organizations within the Donna area will assist the City with the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Community Participation Plan for this project. To the extent possible, steering committee representatives will be responsible for developing outreach activities, disseminating information about the project, engaging public participation in the project, developing public education and media campaigns, and soliciting continued public support for this project. Educating the public on water conservation methods throughout the project design, development, construction, and implementation phases will also be an integral part of this project. Such water conservation efforts will aid in establishing sustainable development in the Donna area.

Sustainable development is typically defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The City of Donna has developed a comprehensive approach for this infrastructure improvement project with respect

to sustainability. The City understands that implementation of the proposed water and wastewater infrastructure improvements will not only improve the quality of life of Donna area residents but will also be designed to meet the water and wastewater needs of future generations living within the area.

The proposed expansion of the City’s infrastructure will enable it to prevent, control, and reduce environmental pollutants and improve drinking water supply and treatment. Providing adequate collection and treatment of sewage will improve the overall health of the Donna area residents, promote sustainable development, and enhance the general quality of life for the residents.

Construction of these projects will improve the community’s public health, both now and in the future, by providing a permanent and safe drinking water source to area residents. Additionally, construction of these projects will reduce the volume of pollutants that reach area water resources (e.g., the Rio Grande River) by eliminating ineffective and outdated wastewater treatment methods. As a result of these water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, positive transboundary water quality impacts will be realized.

The water and wastewater system alternatives chosen provide for the infrastructure improvements which best satisfy the project goal of improved water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment. In addition, this project will improve the existing infrastructure and provide facilities which will allow better service to existing users and provide service to areas which remain unserved or whose current facilities are below standard. Ultimately, this project will allow the City to preserve, protect, and enhance the environment and human health conditions in the community while increasing the quality of life for Donna area residents.

• Construction of a 4.5 mgd water treatment plant on a new site and abandon existing water plant.
• Construction of an elevated storage tank with a minimum capacity of 200,000 gallons.
• Expansion of the water distribution system to serve surrounding colonias, tie the new water treatment plant into the distribution system, and improve water pressure in the service area.

• Replacement of existing deteriorated and inadequate water piping. This will also require some wastewater line relocation to achieve adequate water and sewer separation distances.

• Protection of public health
• Regulatory compliance
• Their effect on the urban and natural environments
• Cost effectiveness
• Ease of operation
• Ease of maintenance

• Expansion of the existing WWTP from 2.3 mgd to 2.7 mgd, and rehabilitation of selected unit processes.
• Expansion of the wastewater collection system to serve surrounding colonias.
• Improvements to the existing WWTP including an influent lift station, headwork, and a sludge handling system.

• Protection of public health
• Regulatory compliance
• Their effect on the urban and natural environments
• Cost effectiveness
• Ease of operation
• Ease of maintenance

TABLE 1-3

Area	Population
	1995		2000	2015
City of Donna	14,426		16,449	22,805
Colonias (Build-Out Limited)	4,344		4,796	5,493
Total Population to be Affected by the Proposed Project	18,770		21,245	28,298

4) Project Alternatives

• No project alternative
• Alternative 1 - Construction of a new surface water treatment plant
• Alternative 2 - Expansion and rehabilitation of the City’s existing water treatment facility
• Alternative 3 - Use of groundwater to supplement surface water supplies

Alternative 1 - New Surface Water Treatment Facility

Alternative 2 - Expansion and Rehabilitation of Existing Water Treatment Facility

• No project alternative
• Alternative 1 - Expansion and rehabilitation of existing conventional plant
• Alternative 2 - Construction of a new wastewater treatment plant
• Alternative 3 - Individual septic systems
• Alternative 4 - Cluster septic systems
• Alternative 5 - Evapotranspiration effluent disposal system
• Alternative 6 - Land treatment systems

• A continuous supply of heat must be available to meet the latent heat requirements.
• Vapor must be able to rise from the soil surface.
• Effluent must be continually supplied to the evaporative surface.

• Capital cost for the construction of ET systems is relatively low compared to a conventional gravity sewer.
• Minimal maintenance is required and system life expectancy is high.

The disadvantages of the system are:

• Large areas of fenced property are required to facilitate the ET bed system.
• The operation of the system is limited by climate and its effect on local evaporation rate.
• Salt accumulations on the surface of beds will eventually lead to the elimination of all vegetation, and subsequently loss of transpiration.
• Proper construction methods must be followed to assure no groundwater contamination from the beds.

The advantage of the system is:

• Capital cost for the construction of land treatment systems is relatively low compared to the cost of a conventional gravity sewer.

• Potential for contamination of land and adjoining tracts.
• Land treatment systems require large areas of fenced property to facilitate the pumping and piping systems.
• Maintenance and capital cost are higher due to the pumping and piping systems.

• No project alternative
• Alternative 1 - Standard Gravity Collection System
• Alternative 2 - Pressure Sewer Collection System
• Alternative 3 - Septic Tank Effluent Pumping
• Alternative 4 - Small Diameter Gravity Sewer Systems

Alternative 1 - Standard Gravity Collection System

Description	Unit	Quantity	Estimated Unit Cost	Total Estimated Cost
Single Service Connection	EA	1274	$350	$445,900
8" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (0' - 8' Depth)	LF	39870	$12	$478,440
8" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (8' - 10' Depth)	LF	4650	$16	$74,400
8" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (10' - 12' Depth)	LF	16250	$18	$292,500
Standard Manhole	EA	193	$2,000	$386,000
Clean-outs	EA	230	$300	$69,000
Trench Safety and Dewatering	LF	41000	$30	$1,230,000
SUBTOTAL				$2,976,240
CONTINGENCY - 15%				$446,450
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST				$3,422,690

The advantage of the system is:

• Capital costs are low compared to conventional gravity sewers due to reduced excavation cost, pipe cost, elimination of manholes, and reduced lift station sizes.

The disadvantages of the system are:

• Maintenance is high due to the mechanical aspects of the system.
• These systems depend on electrical service which requires emergency overflows and containment areas during power outages.
• Equipment is usually replaced every 4 to 5 years due to the conditions and environment in which the system operates.
• Odors are typically greater.

Description	Unit	Quantity	Estimated Unit Cost	Total Estimated Cost
Grinder Pump Unit (Complete in Place)	EA	634	$1,700	$1,077,800
Isolation Valves	EA	1274	$320	$407,680
3" Piping	LF	51700	$6	$310,200
4" Piping	LF	9115	$7	$63,805
On-Site Lift Station (Pump to Gravity Line)	EA	11	$120,000	$1,320,000
SUBTOTAL				$3,179,485
CONTINGENCY - 15%				$476,955
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST				$3,656,440

• Capital costs are low compared to conventional gravity sewers due to reduced excavation cost, pipe cost, elimination of manholes, and reduced lift station sizes.
• Pre-treatment occurs in the septic tank, thereby reducing the wastewater treatment plant operational cost.

The disadvantages of the system are:

• Cleaning and possible replacement of existing septic tanks is required.
• The same concerns for reliability of the electrical service, emergency overflows and containment areas as the pressure sewer collection system need to be addressed.
• Household users must be actively involved in maintenance due to the mechanical aspects of the system.
• Equipment is usually replaced every 4 to 5 years due to the conditions and environment in which the system operates.

Description	Unit	Quantity	Estimated Unit Cost	Total Estimated Cost
Septic Tank, Pump Tank, and Pump	EA	743	$3,000	$2,229,000
Pump Tank and Pump, only	EA	531	$1,700	$902,700
Isolation Valves	EA	1274	$320	$407,680
3" Piping	LF	51700	$6	$310,200
4" Piping	LF	9115	$7	$63,805
SUBTOTAL				$3,913,385
CONTINGENCY - 15%				$590,530
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST				$4,503,915

The advantages of the system are:

• Capital costs are low compared to conventional gravity sewers due to reduced excavation cost, pipe cost, elimination of manholes, and reduced lift station sizes.
• Capital costs are less intensive compared to pressure sewer and septic tank effluent pumping collection systems because pumping systems are eliminated.
• Pre-treatment occurs in the septic tank, thereby reducing the wastewater treatment plant operational cost.

• There are few guidelines available for design of this type of system.
• The existing septic tanks need to be cleaned or replaced.

Description	Unit	Quantity	Estimated Unit Cost	Total Estimated Cost
Install or Replace Septic Tank	EA	601	$1,500	$901,500
Single Service Connection	EA	1274	$350	$445,900
3" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (0' - 8' Depth)	LF	43150	$7	$302,050
3" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (8' - 10' Depth)	LF	9720	$8	$77,760
3" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (10' - 12' Depth)	LF	3040	$9	$27,360
4" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (0' - 8' Depth)	LF	3650	$8	$29,200
4" SDR-26 PVC Pipe (8' - 10' Depth)	LF	1215	$9	$10,935
Standard Manholes	EA	193	$1,000	$193,000
Clean-outs	EA	230	$300	$69,000
Trench Safety and Dewatering	LF	41000	$30	$1,230,000
SUBTOTAL				$3,286,705
CONTINGENCY - 15%				$494,572
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST				$3,779,710

• increase water quality, and
• decrease mismanaged and rural wastewater disposal methods.

The TWDB has a program in which low or no interest loans are provided to cities, who participate in the EDAP program, for distribution to colonia residents needing financing to install yard laterals, piping, and plumbing facilities. The City of Donna will include this loan service as part of the overall project. The City of Donna, as a requirement of the TWDB, also has a mandatory hook-up policy that states when facilities are available, residents must connect to the system. The City of Donna is also certified to serve these residents water and sewer by a TNRCC approved Certificate of Convience and Necessity (CCN).

The currently used household septic systems and shallow wells will not be addressed by this project. First, these are located on private property and there is no legal means to include work within individual property lines. Second, septic tank systems are already under the authority of Hidalgo County and not the City of Donna. Also, the TNRCC has control of all groundwater wells.

Existing pollution problems are common within the 20 colonias as well as the City of Donna. Within the Donna city limits, raw sewage overflows at several lift stations as a result of inadequate pumping equipment at these facilities. Violations of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) permit have previously occurred with both enforcement actions and fines being levied on the WWTP facility. Additionally, noxious gas (H₂S), is produced at the lift stations. These environmental problems are expected to be resolved with the construction of new collection lines and lift stations and the upgrade and improvements to the existing WWTP.

• severity of the impact (i.e., hazardous vs. non-hazardous);
• type of release resulting from the impact source (i.e., acute or chronic release to air, water, or land); and
• type of receptor (i.e., human or ecosystem) which would receive the result of an impact.