Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and other City of Arlington officials celebrated the opening of the City’s new $12.3 million Laboratory Services and Maintenance Building on Monday with a ribbon cutting and tour. The 26,825-square-foot facility is at the City’s John F. Kubala Water Treatment plant located on U.S. 287 in southwest Arlington.

The City of Arlington requires more than 18 billion gallons of treated tap water each year. In 2023, the lab analyzed 7,305 samples for 372 different substances. The experience and professionalism of the lab staff have earned them accreditation from the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. The Water Utilities’ treatment division maintenance staff is responsible for making sure that Arlington’s two water treatment plants as well as high service pumps throughout the city and 10 water towers are functioning as needed every day of the year.

Construction on the lab and maintenance building started in 2022. The project combined three buildings that were all in need of expansion and updating into one spacious, modern facility that will serve the City of Arlington into the future. Source Building Group, Inc. an MWBE firm with a portfolio of successful projects throughout North Texas, was the builder for the project.

In addition to the recently completed lab and maintenance building, Arlington’s Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant in west Arlington is undergoing a $112 million Chemical, Clearwell, and Pump Station Improvements Project. The multi-year project at the Pierce-Burch plant includes the replacement of chemical feed facilities used during the water treatment process, clearwells where water is stored, and high service pumps used to send water to homes and businesses. Electrical improvements are also part of the project.

The $112.5 million project at Pierce-Burch is being funded by a combination of Texas Water Development Board Revolving Fund Loan and City of Arlington Water Revenue Bonds.