Midland County Utility District completes new water tower, storage tanks to expand access

The Midland County Utility District (MCUD) has recently completed three major pieces of infrastructure that county officials say mark significant progress in expanding water access for Midland County residents.

The newly constructed facilities include a 100,000-gallon elevated water tower and two 2-million-gallon ground storage tanks.

“One of the 2-million-gallon tanks will serve as a collection tank, while the other will store treated, fresh water,” the county said. “Together, the new infrastructure strengthens storage capacity and positions MCUD to deliver water to residents and subdivisions as additional system components come online.”

MCUD General Manager Norman Ashton said the infrastructure developments are visible signs of real progress for the county.

“The infrastructure is going into the ground and in the air. This system is moving forward, and it will benefit the citizens of Midland County for decades to come,” he said in a statement.

County officials confirmed that about four wells have been drilled and are producing about 500,000 gallons of water per day. MCUD officials said they remain hopeful that individual customers and residential subdivisions will be able to connect to the water system in the near future.

The district continues work on its water treatment facility, which is nearing completion,” said the county. “The plant is designed with long-term growth in mind and will be capable of treating up to 3 million gallons per day once fully built out.”

Voters approved of MCUD's creation in 2013 with the purpose of getting non-city areas off of individual water wells and onto a system that is potable and reliable, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram report. The MCUD district exists outside of city limits in large portions of eastern and southern Midland County. This includes Greenwood, where Vander Ranch area residents last year experienced persistent water shortages.

Although MCUD receives some financial support from Midland County for infrastructure development, it operates independently and is not a county department. Currently, MCUD remains a separate governmental entity operating under state law with its own board of directors.

“MCUD was created to provide safe, reliable water at the lowest possible cost to residents within its boundaries,” said County Judge Terry Johnson. “The County’s role has been to support that mission, and we’re proud of the progress being made.”