Weatherford's GAC water‑treatment project nearing major milestones; city withholding liquidated damages

Rick Schaffer, Water Utilities, updated the board on the GAC treatment project, saying crews completed final pipeline connections last week and site work is progressing with rebar placement and weather‑dependent concrete pours planned.

"We were able to make that final connection on that pipeline," Schaffer said, describing a shutdown and overnight work to complete the tie‑in and restore plant operation. He reported crews were setting the chemical manhole and expected manhole and piping work to finish in the next week and a half, with permanent fencing and final electrical and SCADA work to follow.

Schaffer told the board the project remains on schedule for a substantial completion in July and that the city is withholding about $1,000,000 in liquidated damages for schedule issues and $390,000 in retainage. He said the project budget was $8.8 million and invoiced amounts currently total about $7.8 million.

Board members reacted positively to the progress and thanked staff for the update. Schaffer said final acceptance testing and punch‑list work would follow substantial completion.

Why it matters: The GAC project advances local treatment capacity, helps meet water‑quality goals, and connects to the broader treatment‑plant expansion that will raise the plant's capacity. Withholding damages indicates the city is using contractual levers tied to schedule and performance.