Summary: With the completion of the permanent connection to Fort Worth water and of the El Chico water tank this week, Willow Park will complete it's Fort Worth Water Project and will be able to blend Fort Worth water with Willow Park well water to provide Willow Park citizens with a reliable source of water. The Fort Worth Water Project will triple the water supply to Willow Park as the Fort Worth water supply provides an additional 3.5 million gallons per day, on average, for a total of about 5 million gallons of water per day for Willow Park citizens.
Latest Update: Wednesday, 26 April, 2023
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Water for Willow Park, A New Beginning
“I actually have very good news for ya’ll. We went on the Fort Worth permanent connection at 11:00 AM today and as of tonight we will start pumping and taking water full-time.” Although the city has been on a temporary connection with Fort Worth water, this announcement signals the end of the For Worth Water Project and the beginning of a reliable source of water for Willow Park [25 April 2023 Council Meeting, Public Works Report by Director Michelle Guelker, Facebook Video 12:45]
After years of starts and stops and more years of negotiation and construction, the Fort Worth Water Project of Willow Park is complete. With the completion of the permanent connection to Forth Worth water and of the El Chico water tank, Willow Park will be able to blend Fort Worth water with Willow Park well water to provide Willow Park citizens with a reliable source of water.
Fort Worth water and Willow Park well water will be blended differently for different seasons, and the Willow Park Public Utility Department indicated they will test each season's blend for water hardness and quality and report to Willow Park citizens so we will have the data to adjust our water softener or purification systems.
However, even with the reliable source of water, Willow Park citizens will be required to conserve water on non-essential uses like landscaping. For additional information on water conservation, see Willow Park Civics > City Services > Water > Water Restrictions & Conservation.
Short History of Fort Worth Water Project
[Sources at Willow Park Civics > City > City Services > Water]
The city of Willow Park has had access to Fort Worth water supply since the summer of 2021, tripling the water supply to the city.
Willow Park city wells produce up to 1.6 million gallons of water per day, most of which is often matched by city consumption leaving no room for emergences. The Fort Worth water supply provides an additional 3.5 million gallons per day, on average, totaling about 5 million gallons per day for Willow Park.
The additional Fort Worth water supply has allowed Willow Park to pump less well water and refurbish the city's water well. The El Chico Water station will allow Willow Park to blend Willow Park well water with the Fort Worth water supply.
During the 12 April 2016 council meeting (agenda), the city started its discussion of an “Interlocal agreement with the City of Hudson Oaks for a cost share program related to a wholesale water study with intent of obtaining treated water from the City of Fort Worth."
In the Spring of 2019 Willow Park approved a "wholesale water purchase agreement with the City of Fort Worth, approved an “agreement for Funding, Construction and Maintenance of Water Supply Facilities with the City of Hudson Oaks” and adopted a new Drought Contingency Plan to match the Drought Contingency Plan of Forth Worth water.
In its July 2021 article “City could have Fort Worth water by next week,” The Community News reported “The nearly $20 million project — divided into a 52-48 cost split between Willow Park and Hudson Oaks, respectively — will include a 24-inch water main, wholesale water meter station, and storage tank and pump station that would help transport water to Hudson Oaks. / The Fort Worth-to-Willow Park pipeline project is expected to be entirely completed on Aug. 27 — about a month-long delay from the original deadline. / Willow Park wells can currently produce up to 1.6 million gallons of water per day, leaving little room for emergencies during the summer months with city water usage averaging to about 1.2 million gallons daily. / The new project is expected to provide an additional 3.5 million gallons per day, on average, totaling about 5 million gallons per day”
Willow Park Civics Research
Willow Park Civics has collected a journal of city activity on the water supply in Willow Park. Willow Park Civic > City City Services > Water
Additional Willow Park Civics Blogs on water
29 December 2022, Parker, Palo Pinto counties seek water partnership
16 December 2022, Rogers: Water is Life
25 September 2022, Water Crisis: It's time to find water solutions
20 August 2022, Drought: Worst drought since 2011