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PORT NECHES — A Water Purchase Agreement between the City of Port Neches and TPC Group LLC was approved this week after the petrochemical company requested additional water. 

The reason for the jump from 11,520 gallons per day use to the newly approved 29,900 gallons per day is necessitated by engineering improvements to their vapor capture unit which would allow for the ability to increase compliance with air quality regulations. 

“But in this particular instance, as opposed to the other industrial customers, there is a contract because TPC has a designation as a public water supply and the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) required both the city and TPC enter into a contract, I believe, back in 2017, which was approved by both parties at that time,” City Manager Andre Wimer said.

Wimer said some years ago the Lower Neches Valley Authority, which provides raw water to cities and industrial facilities, went to a separate model for the purchases. For example, if the city tells LNVA they are going to draw 5 million gallons of water this month they will pay for drawing that amount even if they use 4 ½ million gallons. 

But if the city goes above the 5 million gallons then they are paying a premium based on the LNVA’s rate structure and contract. 

Knowing the amount to be used is beneficial for the city. 

Councilman Adam Anders asked if the city’s system can handle the additional water, the answer was yes.

There are times when the plants in the area run, water is produced but consumption on the customer side is so low the city may have to take water out of service for a while. Then there are times when the consumption by customers is not what was expected and they discharge treated water from the water towers because it has a shelf life, Wimer said. 

Port Neches resident Erik Tolpo expressed concern saying TPC has not been a good neighbor to Port Neches alluding to the Nov. 27, 2019 explosion at the facility that led to damaged homes and lawsuits. Tolpo worries the increase in water consumption from the company would put a strain on the city’s system. His other concern was fire control noting the city could not keep up with fire suppression during the 2019 explosion and fire.

Fire Chief Eloy Vega said the system is not designed to handle a catastrophic event such as this.

“In light of that, in trying to plan for that, two years ago the Sabine Neches Chiefs Association tested current equipment and water supply lines to pump 36,000 gallons a minute to flow, having capacity to flow 36,000 gallons a minute in preparation for an event like that. That water came from the river,” Vega said. “So if it were to be a situation where we need to relay lines that can be done.”

Tolpo said he was also concerned with TPC wastewater from the extra water usage.

“Are you taking this back in the system, and are there monitors in place to make sure you’re not poisoning the water like you did the air,” Tolpo said.

Guy Burnaman, site manager at TPC, said the water is recycled into their closed loop water system.

Toplo asked the city to vote ‘no’ on the contract for additional water saying “TPC doesn’t have a very good track record.”

Mayor Glenn Johnson addressed Toplo to clarify the purchase of additional water from the city by TPC is revenue for the city and the city is not giving TPC anything, only selling the water. 

The agenda item was approved unanimously.