The city of Boyd hopes to finalize a deal to purchase water from Walnut Creek Special Utility District.

Walnut Creek SUD draws water from Lake Bridgeport.

“We’re looking to switch from well to surface water,” said City Administrator John Hamilton.

However, such a switch could increase water rates for city customers. The amount of the increase is uncertain at this point.

But the city has multiple reasons for wanting to switch water sources, including conservation and quality.

“The state has been encouraging municipalities for years to move to surface water to help preserve the water in the aquifers,” Hamilton said.

Another reason for Boyd to switch is the quality of Boyd’s water. Late last year, Susan Roth, a water engineer and consultant from Austin, tested Boyd’s well water to discover the reasons behind its strong taste and odor.

The amount of sodium found in the sample was more than 19 times the level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Chloride and total dissolved solids also far exceeded EPA recommended limits.

“The city’s water, as far as quality, is completely safe,” Roth said. “There are no compliance issues with TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality). But there is an aesthetic issue with taste and odor.”

The taste and odor of the water even encouraged local business owner Kraig Thome to install a reverse osmosis system in his restaurant, Gogo Gumbo.

The high level of salinity not only affects the taste of the water, but it also damages appliances and pipes.

So despite higher water cost, the city might make the move to all-surface water.

“Our objective is to give our customers the highest quality water,” Hamilton said.

The city council discussed the issue at Tuesday night’s meeting, but no action was taken.

The city also approved permit requests by Devon Energy to re-fracture three existing wells.

The council approved the permits.

New council member Crystal Keiper was sworn into Place 3. She defeated incumbent Harry Towler 63-42 in the May 8 election. Lenard Reynolds retained his spot at Place 5.

The council voted 5-0 to appoint Rod Bill Scroggins as the new mayor pro tem. Reynolds previously held the position.