Growth in the Harker Heights area is difficult to predict because population changes are directly attributed to the Fort Hood army population. During Desert Storm, when a complete division was moved to the Gulf from Fort Hood, a sizeable decrease in population occurred. Less than eighteen months later, a new army division was relocated into Fort hood creating a tremendous growth for the entire area.

The City Council authorized a detailed study of the water system. Due to a long history of limited mapping and record keeping, the first major step was to develop an up-to-date City map, and performed these tasks in a method compatible with our Infrastructure Management System.

When analyzing a pipeline system, the pipe system is entered into the Cybernet program. The system, as modeled, had 1,001 pipes and 825 nodes. The system had two supply points, two pump stations, and three elevated storage facilities. The product of the Cybernet program is a series of flow contour maps of the water system under alternative pipe size conditions. When the desired system is reached, the piping changes are value engineered to ensure optimum cost benefit for the system.

Phases for improvements were then outlined, budgeted, and prioritized so that the City could make informative decisions. City staff worked with City Council to develop a multi-phased improvement program. The study recommended approximately 3.5 million dollars in system improvements to meet TNRCC requirements to support growth to the year 2015.