Consent Decree

Tyler Water Utilities is making major improvements to the City's wastewater infrastructure as part of a long-term plan to modernize the system, prevent overflows, and meet federal regulatory standards. These upgrades include work on Tyler’s 739 miles of sewer mains, more than 12,290 manholes, and 27 lift stations. Much of this work is part of a Consent Decree agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which began in 2017 and extends through 2027.

The City is investing in projects that protect public health, support future growth, and ensure the system operates efficiently for decades to come.

View the most recent progress report given to the Tyler City Council:

Downtown Investment

In February 2025, the Tyler City Council approved a $28.2 million investment to improve wastewater infrastructure in the downtown area. This project includes installing more than 18,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer lines between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Bryan Street. Pipe sizes will range from 6 to 42 inches to meet both current and future capacity needs.

2025 System Achievements

In 2025, Tyler Water Utilities advanced its long-term plan to modernize the wastewater system through targeted cleaning, inspections, and preventive programs. This work included:

• Cleaning 171.4 miles of sewer mains through a combination of scheduled condition assessment and lines identified in the cleaning program.

• Inspecting 1,914 manholes as part of the seven-year cycle, with resources focused on priority locations identified by condition assessments and ongoing projects.

• Reducing sanitary sewer overflows to 50, or 6.9 per 100 miles of pipe, moving toward the goal of fewer than 5.

• Completing 471 grease trap inspections across 471 food service establishments, achieving the annual inspection goal.

These improvements have helped the City reduce wastewater discharges from an average of 15 per 100 miles of pipe to fewer than 7 per 100 miles, benefiting both residents and the environment.

Consent Decree Compliance Milestones

Since 2017, the consent decree has specified deadlines for completing inspections, preparing remedial measures repair plans, and constructing these many projects. In addition, an annual report is required that details all the ongoing and completed work. Each required submittal and milestone has been met through the cooperative efforts of TWU staff, local consulting engineers, and many contractors performing work across the city.

About the Consent Decree

On November 9, 2016, the City of Tyler approved a draft agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to upgrade the wastewater collection system and strengthen existing inspection, maintenance, and cleaning programs. The agreement, known as a Consent Decree, became effective on April 10, 2017, and will last for 10 years.

Under the Consent Decree, Tyler Water Utilities is required to implement a Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) Program. This program provides a framework for better managing, operating, and maintaining the wastewater collection system, identifying areas with potential capacity constraints, and responding to unauthorized discharges.

CMOM Program Components

System Cleaning

• Clean every pipe in the sanitary sewer system at least once every seven years.

• Identify pipe segments that need more frequent cleaning, such as quarterly, biannual, or annual schedules.

Develop New or Updated Procedures

• Perform routine and preventive maintenance of the sewer system.

• Control grease and roots in the sewer system.

• Provide employee training.

• Respond promptly to sewer overflows.

Condition Assessment

• Conduct TV inspections and smoke testing of 715 miles of gravity sewer mains.

• Perform visual inspection of all 12,290+ manholes.

• Carry out visual and operational inspections of every pump and force main at all 27 lift stations.

• Schedule repairs or replacements for pipes, manholes, and pumps identified as needing upgrades.

Capacity Assessment

• Update the sewer system hydraulic model to assess capacity under multiple scenarios, including current and future wastewater flows and the reduction of infiltration and inflow from the system and private lateral lines.

• Schedule replacement of pipes or pumps identified by the model as undersized.

These efforts are building a stronger, more efficient wastewater system that protects public health, supports growth, and preserves environmental quality.