ROCKDALE, Texas — In a major step toward improving local infrastructure, the Rockdale City Council has approved a $9.2 million construction contract to overhaul nearly eight miles of the city’s aging water distribution system. The project will replace approximately 40,000 linear feet of deteriorating cast iron pipes with modern PVC lines, according to a city announcement.

The contract was awarded to Lopez Utility, a Houston-based firm with experience in municipal utility upgrades. The water line replacement initiative is one of Rockdale’s most significant infrastructure investments in recent years and is designed to reduce system failures and improve water service reliability for residents.

“We are thrilled to partner with Lopez Utility on this critical project,” said Rockdale Mayor Ward Roddam. “This has been a long time coming and we appreciate our citizens’ patience.”

City officials say many of the cast iron pipes set for replacement have been in service for over 50 years and are beyond their intended lifespan. Replacing them with PVC pipes will help mitigate a persistent problem with leaks and water main breaks.

“A system with new water lines should reduce the number of line breaks in the system,” said Rockdale City Manager Tim Kelty. “Many things can cause a water line leak, such as ground temperature. Putting new PVC pipes in the ground will reduce our water loss and the City having to issue boil water notices.”

The initiative is funded through the Texas Water Development Board’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), a program that supports water infrastructure improvements in communities across the state.

In addition to cutting down on water loss and emergency repairs, the new system is expected to support better water pressure and service reliability, key benefits as the city grows and demands on the system increase. Rockdale officials hope the investment will also serve as a foundation for future development.

Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025 and is expected to take approximately 18 months, with completion projected by January 2027.

This upgrade aligns with broader state and national infrastructure efforts aimed at improving water quality, ensuring environmental compliance, and bolstering public health. Rockdale's investment is particularly timely, as municipalities across Texas work to modernize aging systems and prepare for climate and population shifts.

Originally reported by Jacob Wallin in Kcentv.