WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - The cost to refurbish Olney’s water treatment plant is estimated at $7.7 million, according to Olney City Administrator Simon Dwyer.

This estimate comes from the engineering firm Jacob and Martin, which was hired to update the plant within a $14 million budget.

While the proposal leaves room for possible cost reductions, it doesn’t guarantee the plant will last another 50 years.

“One of the primary concerns is a system known as the flocculator, which is a slow mix and then a rapid mix. It has some issues right now that need to be addressed. Those issues can’t be fixed unless the system is taken down and rebuilt, so that part of the plant will need to be rebuilt,“ Dwyer said.

The upgrades were a topic of discussion at Olney’s latest city council meeting, as the city is considering upgrading its water treatment plant to meet new EPA regulations and PFAS guidelines. PFAS are “widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time,” according to the EPA.

While the current pump produces good water for everyday needs, the city is exploring a membrane-based system.

“It filters much better than a conventional plant. It offers filtration capabilities that conventional plants just don’t have, specifically micro-, ultra-, and nano-filtration. That means you get much cleaner water with fewer byproducts and sediment,” Dwyer said.

The timeline for a new plant depends on permits and regulatory changes. However, if Olney moves forward soon, the results could benefit the city for years to come.

“If we were to get the membrane plant, we’d aim for a capacity of 2 million gallons per day. That would give us room for future growth in Olney and provide clean water for generations to come,” Dwyer said.

Both options would require building a new plant next to the current facility.

City officials are opting to gather more information regarding the cost before making a final decision.