Initiatives generate $11 million water treatment chemical cost savings in 2024

North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) Member Cities and Customers saw a $6.4 million cost savings in 2024 due to improved contract terms with chemical suppliers and $4.7 million savings due to chemical optimization at the Leonard Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

Zeke Campbell, Director of Water Treatment and Conveyance, said NTMWD renegotiated contract terms with chemical suppliers after global events impacted steady supply and pricing. 

"We focus heavily on being responsible stewards of our finances, ensuring we secure the necessary chemicals for water treatment while minimizing supply chain disruptions," said Campbell. 

Chemicals are used in the water treatment process to disinfect, adjust pH levels and remove particulate matter from raw water to make it safe to drink and use.

The District switched from annual to quarterly adjustments on chemical prices, securing a more reliable supply of necessary chemicals with the bonus of significant cost savings when prices decreased. Campbell noted that if the original annually adjusted contracts were in effect, the District would have continued to pay the higher prices.

Additional savings were realized through enhanced testing optimization at the Leonard WTP, which treats water from Bois d’Arc Lake. Unlike other WTPs, Leonard is working with a new water source, so historical data isn’t available to help operators plan which chemicals or doses will be needed to treat the water.

Operators are conducting more frequent tests on water from Bois d’Arc Lake compared to more established raw water sources to build a comprehensive dataset. Campbell explained that the lake's water quality will vary with seasons, water levels, and other factors, influencing water treatment strategies. 

Engineers projected chemical costs for treating unknown raw water quality at Leonard WTP, budgeting for a high-use scenario to ensure the necessary chemicals would be available. Through the enhanced optimization, operators discovered that for a few of the treatment chemicals, lower doses were needed.

"The teams are working diligently on optimization," Campbell said. "This is a new water source, and they want to ensure they gain a clear understanding of what operations at Leonard will entail." 

Although the 2024 chemical cost savings was substantial, Campbell stressed that providing safe water is always the top priority at the District.

"We’ve experienced the benefits of these cost savings, but ultimately, we have water quality goals and regulatory requirements to meet for the region," he said. "At the end of the day, water quality remains the most critical factor when determining water treatment strategies.”