Lubbock Advances Lake 7 Project with $66 Million Bond Approval

The City of Lubbock is making strides toward the establishment of a renewable water source by the approval of $66 million in bonds. These bonds are intended to finance a variety of water and wastewater initiatives, including the development of Lake 7. At the Tuesday city council meeting, officials authorized the issuance of bonds, allocating $15 million for the procurement of land to develop Lake 7, which is situated off E 50th St.

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Assistant City Manager Erik Rejino clarified that the bond debt will be satisfied by the current budget cycle's water rates, which have been altered to align with this financial obligation.

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Lake 7 has been a long-term vision for the city, with the intention of reusing treated effluent and expanding the Canyon Lakes System. In contrast to other local lakes, Lake 7 is anticipated to provide a sustainable water supply. Approximately 85% of its water will be sourced from Lubbock's wastewater treatment facilities, resulting in stream-quality water.

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Rejino emphasized that the lake would cover approximately one-third of the surface area of Lake Alan Henry, but it is anticipated to produce nearly two-thirds of its water output, producing between 10 and 11 million gallons per day.

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The city has been engaged in this endeavor since 2006 and was granted the requisite water rights permit by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in March. Negotiations are currently ongoing to acquire 1,500 acres from the historic V8 Ranch, with construction anticipated to commence in 2028 or 2029. The city's objective is to improve the recreational opportunities surrounding Lake 7 by managing the shoreline.

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