Enhanced Water Pump System to Preserve Bridgeland’s Green Landscape Amid Drought Conditions
09/25/2023 Update:
The temporary water pump moving water from Inks Lake across the pipeline utility easement/Parkland Commons Fitness Trail into Honey Creek Lake was replaced with quieter equipment late in the afternoon on September 22.
The large hose running across the easement trail cannot be placed underground or even below the trail sidewalk due to the location of underground utilities and pipelines. Residents using golf carts and some bicycle riders choosing to drive over the hose are damaging it and regular repairs continue to be necessary.
Background:
Bridgeland trees and landscaping draw on the community lakes for irrigation needs. Lakes throughout much of the Bridgeland community are replenished from a supply of various non-potable sources (does not meet drinking water standards) including treated effluent from the wastewater treatment plant on the northeast side of the community, stream water pumped from Cypress Creek, and stormwater capture.
During periods of excessive heat and drought additional water wells pumping untreated ground water are activated. These combined water resources are able to supplement many lake levels improving the likelihood that the thousands of trees and other Bridgeland common area landscaping will survive what the community has experienced during the last two summers.
Why the pump??
Honey Creek and the two adjoining lakes between the pipeline easement and Tuckerton Road are the primary irrigation water source for a large portion of Parkland.
In addition to being separated by the pipeline corridor and its underground utility easement restrictions, these three Bridgeland lakes are among those in the Langham Creek watershed and not the Cypress Creek watershed. That is why these Parkland lakes are not interconnected with the other lakes in Bridgeland and benefiting from their additional water replenishment sources.
This temporary pump alone will not restore the three lakes to a normal level because rainfall and storm drain runoff are the primary replenishment sources for these lakes. A drought contingency plan involving a reduction in common area landscaping irrigation is in place but the issue will not be fully resolved until there is sufficient rainfall to restore lake levels.
What is the long-term solution?
A “make-up well” which will provide untreated underground water replenishment water for these three lakes during drought periods is expected to be operational by the end of 2Q 2024.
When will the temporary pump be removed?
The temporary pump will likely remain running until rainfall and storm water runoff adequately restores lake levels. It is possible that the equipment might remain on site with hoses retracted from the utility easement/Parkland Commons Fitness Trail for a period of time after the pump has been shut off.
Who should be contacted with additional questions or concerns?
Please contact the board by utilizing the WCID159 website contact page found at: hcwcid159.org. Thank you.
Board of Directors
WCID159