City Council Study Session, 1/21/25

The City of Norman, Oklahoma City Council held a study session on January 21, 2025, focused on updates to the city's comprehensive plan, specifically the Water and Wastewater Master Plans. The meeting detailed the current water supply sources, including Lake Thunderbird, the Garber-Wellington aquifer, and a wholesale connection with Oklahoma City, and discussed projected water demand growth over the next 20 years. The council reviewed a gap analysis identifying a potential water supply shortfall by 2045 and evaluated various water supply alternatives, including groundwater wells, indirect potable reuse (IPR), and expanding the Oklahoma City wholesale connection. Economic and non-monetary criteria such as reliability, environmental impact, and public acceptance were used to prioritize preferred water supply options. The council also discussed a 20-year capital improvement plan for water infrastructure, emphasizing phased implementation driven by demand. On the wastewater side, the existing Water Reclamation Facility (WORF) was deemed sufficient for near-term needs, with plans to maintain and expand the collection system and consider future alternatives like a North or East WORF if economically justified. The meeting included discussions on regulatory pathways, public acceptance of reuse projects, rate increases, and potential policy incentives for water conservation. No formal votes or contract awards were recorded during this session, but the detailed planning and evaluation set the stage for future procurement and capital projects related to water and wastewater infrastructure.