GLENN HEIGHTS — The Glenn Heights City Council is scheduled Tuesday to consider authorizing an application for up to $21 million in state funding for water line and pump station improvements as the city prepares for continued residential growth.
The proposed resolution would authorize the city to seek financial assistance through the Texas Water Development Board’s Water Supply and Infrastructure Grants program. According to the city’s agenda packet, Glenn Heights plans to request approximately $21 million for improvements to its water system.
The grant program could provide a significant source of outside funding for the city. Information in the council packet states that the program is 100% grant-funded and requires no local match. Approximately $1.03 billion is available statewide, with awards expected in fall 2026.
Eligible projects include water line extensions, replacements, and repairs; new or rehabilitated water storage tanks; pump station expansions; and improvements to water delivery points. The program gives additional consideration to projects that are ready to move toward construction.
The city’s presentation identifies improvements involving the Northwest Pump Station and water lines along portions of Bear Creek Road. If funding is awarded, projects would have to be completed by August 2031.
The application comes as Glenn Heights continues preparing its infrastructure for substantial residential development.
A July review by Glenn Heights Future of utility records, maintenance logs, inspection reports, planning documents and budget presentations found no evidence that the city’s water and wastewater systems were in crisis. The records instead showed an actively maintained system facing increasing demands for long-term planning as the city grows.
That review also identified several areas where long-term infrastructure information remained unavailable or under development. The city reported that water distribution condition assessments, hydraulic studies and water-system modeling reports were unavailable. A citywide inflow and infiltration study had not been completed, and historical infrastructure mapping remained under development as part of the city’s GIS implementation.
Those findings did not indicate an immediate failure of the city’s utility system. Rather, they highlighted the increasing importance of infrastructure planning as additional development places new demands on existing systems.
Public Works has also identified targeted water improvements through the city’s budget process, including a proposed water-system loop between Wynnewood Drive and Westmoreland Drive and replacement of a two-inch water main in Lindell Estates with an eight-inch line intended to improve fire protection and accommodate future development.
The $21 million grant application represents a substantially larger potential investment in the city’s physical water infrastructure.
Under the resolution before council Tuesday, City Manager Clifford Blackwell would be authorized to provide documents and other information necessary for the application. The city’s financial adviser and engineering firm would also be authorized to assist with preparing and submitting the request.
Council approval would authorize the city to apply for funding but would not guarantee that Glenn Heights receives the grant.
The infrastructure request comes as the council considers several issues tied to the city’s growth and development. Tuesday’s agenda also includes possible action to hire a consultant to assist with recruiting a grocery store and to begin a comprehensive review of the city’s zoning ordinance and Specific Use Permit provisions.
The City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Glenn Heights City Hall. To see the agenda, click here.
