Amarillo approves agreement for second groundwater pipeline

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) — The city of Amarillo has approved a memorandum of understanding for a second groundwater pipeline, with 10 other member cities of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority asked to authorize the agreement as well.

The proposed pipeline would run approximately 70 miles from Roberts County and would nearly double the current water delivery capacity for the region.

The city said the need for the agreement is driven by the long-term decline in the reliability and water quality of Lake Meredith, combined with aging infrastructure and growing water demand across the Panhandle.

Officials pointed to the existing pipeline as a single point of failure.

The current line is a six-foot concrete pipe, underground, under high-pressure conditions, and more than 50 years old.

“The single point of failure, which is the most concerning thing right now — you’ve got a six-foot pipe that’s concrete that’s underground under high-pressure conditions and it’s over 50 years old and it is a single point of failure,” said Mayor Cole Stanley, city of Amarillo. “So when it busts, you have to shut down that production until you get it repaired, which is extensive. So having an alternate line and opening up the additional well field and capacity is what the future of Amarillo needs.”

The memorandum of understanding is non-binding but reflects the agreement between the member cities and commits all parties to continued communication and planning.

The city’s annual contribution will increase over time to help prepare the budget for the eventual construction costs.

Increased payments between now and construction will go toward Amarillo’s share of any capital improvement projects the authority builds that the city directly benefits from, as well as design costs.

The Canadian River Municipal Water Authority and its partners said the pipeline should be operational by the end of 2038.