After years of waiting, Fort Worth's 'garbage wheel' on Trinity is rolling forward with public dollars

For almost 3 years, Fort Worth authorities have promoted their vision for bringing a trash-removing water wheel to the Trinity River. Code compliance director Brandon Bennett had intended to release the "trash wheel" project in 2015, but the city's efforts to totally money it through personal contributions fell short.

Now, the city and Tarrant Regional Water District are planning to chip in $350,000 each to make the task a reality. Structures, private donors and business sponsors have devoted an extra $660,000 to the effort. Each wheel is anticipated to cost around $1.2 million.

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Who has contributed to the "trash wheel" job up until now?

• Christine A. Miller and Gary H. Glaser Charitable Fund



• Mrs. Renfro's




Freese and Nichols



• Nicholas Martin Jr. Family Foundation




Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors




Terracon




GWR Foundation Fund



• TTI, Inc.




Leggett & & Platt




Wilkes Family Charitable Fund




Meta



• Individual donors

If all goes according to plan, Fort Worth will be home to the first water wheel in Texas and the sixth worldwide by next summertime or fall, said Cody Whittenburg, the city's interim ecological services director.

The job was stalled by monetary concerns, plenty of work was being done on design and engineering behind the scenes, Whittenburg stated. He pointed to broad support for the water wheel from the "trifecta collaboration" amongst the city, water district and not-for-profit company Streams & & Valleys

." We have not stopped traction," Whittenburg said. "But I believe it's exciting that we're able to move the task forward with this secure financing."

The job takes motivation from Baltimore Harbor, which is home to 4 solar and water-powered devices that can catch as much as 50,000 pounds of floating trash each day-- the equivalent of 2.5 trash trucks of litter. Using a system of pulley-blocks, rakes and floating buoys, the makers funnel garbage into a close-by dumpster while routing fish away before they can be damaged.

Beyond its ability to clean up the river, ecological officials say the wheel offers a chance to inform the general public about where their litter winds up and how it can negatively affect wildlife.

In Baltimore, residents have made the googly-eyed "Mr. Trash Wheel" an environmental mascot, printing his face on T-shirts and craft beers. Fort Worth officials picture a covered-wagon style to show the city's "Where the West Begins" heritage.

With help from the water district, the city will set up the first wheel at the Purcey Street outfall near Panther Island Pavilion in downtown Fort Worth. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has currently authorized licenses needed to set up infrastructure in the Trinity River, according to a city report.

Part of the location's appeal is its close proximity to the brand-new City Hall building, formerly home to Pier 1.

" It's just southwest of the Henderson Street bridge along the trails, so we can engage with locals who are delighting in the routes and likewise promote ecological stewardship while working to promote a clean river," Whittenburg informed council members throughout an Oct. 24 work session.

Authorities question, support water wheel setup

In addition to their $350,000 contributions, the city and water district will equally divide annual upkeep expenses. Those expenses should total up to about $50,000 and will not surpass $75,000 each year, according to a city report.

The water district's board of directors approved a funding arrangement in September, with a lone opposing vote from board member James Hill. He questioned why the job's funding sources changed from private contributions to a public-private partnership and required the board to postpone its vote.

Fort Worth Report).

Water district personnel have been speaking about the task for many years, said board member C.B. Team. The agency also is distinctively positioned to manage the water wheel's upkeep, he stated.

" I think it's a positive action towards lowering garbage in the Trinity, which is one of our charges, one of our obligations," Team said.

Fort Worth City Council members will vote on the contract Nov. 14. A number of council members, including Macy Hill and Carlos Flores, asked Whittenburg about the wheel's safety and its efficiency.

" In terms of security, say if I'm a kid and I have a lot of idle time and say, 'Hey, what's in there?'" Flores said. "Are there any arrangements for security if someone decides to get too near the water?".

City personnel are preparing to install instructional signage and make it relatively challenging to access the water wheel from the banks of the Trinity, Whittenburg stated. Fort Worth Report).

Obstacles lie ahead for the task, including a high setup expense due to the fact that of the Trinity River's soil type, which differs from the rocky shores of Baltimore, Whittenburg stated. Engineers will need to stabilize the water wheel, so it effectively moves with the river's elevation, he included.

Streams & & Valleys and the city also hope constructing an initial water wheel will drive foundations and corporations to contribute funds to install another, Whittenburg said.

" If those groups want to concern the table, and they decide that they would like to donate, then they can still support this pilot task," he stated. "And if we get more financing, then we might even consider future places. I believe we're excited to pilot one and find out from that experience.".

Haley Samsel is the environmental press reporter for the Fort Worth Report. You can reach them at haley.samsel@fortworthreport.org.

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The Fort Worth Report maintains the copyright for all of its published content. If you have any other questions, contact Managing Editor Thomas Martinez.After years of waiting, Fort Worth's 'garbage wheel' on Trinity is rolling forward with public dollars.
by Haley Samsel, Fort Worth Report.
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