At its Oct. 7 meeting, the City Commission approved an ordinance amending the 2026 budget to fund backup generators meant to keep Ennis’s water system running during extended power outages. The project is part of an Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) required by the Texas Water Code and reviewed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). According to city documents, the state-approved plan must be fully implemented by Dec. 31, 2025, meaning the city had little choice but to act quickly. The generators will allow the Water Treatment Plant — a critical facility for the city’s water supply — to keep operating even when the power grid goes down. City staff recommended approval, citing the legal requirement for continuous water service under emergency conditions. “Implementing the Emergency Preparedness Plan is necessary for compliance with the law,” the staff report noted. Still, some residents may question the cost. While ensuring reliable water service is clearly vital, $2 million is no small sum — especially as cities across Texas juggle state mandates that often leave local taxpayers footing the bill. The new generators are expected to be installed before the end of 2025 to meet the TCEQ’s deadline.