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Round Rock public works reviews projects, water-loss gains and staff milestones
Summary
City staff presented a department-wide update highlighting personnel, completed and under-construction transportation and utility projects, water-loss reductions, reuse ("purple pipe") expansion plans and awards; council members offered praise but took no formal action.
Michael, a public works presenter for the City of Round Rock, gave the City Council an overview of the newly combined Public Works Department and a yearlong summary of projects, staffing and program metrics.
The presentation covered staffing (about 255 public-works employees), retirements and recognition, transportation and utility projects completed in 2024 and projects now under construction, water-loss detection and repair successes, the city's water-conservation and reuse efforts, and recent awards. Michael said the department rejoined utilities and transportation under Public Works in August and described that consolidation as producing efficiencies.
The update emphasized water system work. Michael reported the city's acoustic leak-detection program had identified roughly 400 underground leaks and that the system-wide water loss rate was about 5 percent, compared with an industry average he cited of about 18 percent. He said the city increased rebate funding for conservation programs and that the environmental lab and surcharge program for high-strength commercial dischargers had grown, adding about $1,300,000 in revenue that is returned to the wastewater system.
On capital projects, Michael highlighted recent completions including segments of Kinney Ford, the Union Pacific quiet zone phase 2, and a new traffic signal at University Boulevard in Salerno Estates. He described multiple projects now under construction or soon to start: Wyoming Springs Parkway, Herald Parkway to Old Settlers Park, the Old Settlers Boulevard extension toward County Road 110, a number of waterline projects (including a 36-inch and a 42-inch line), and generator installs intended to protect water service during outages.
He showed progress on the deepwater intake at Lake Travis that is part of the BCRUA (the regional water group discussed). Michael described that intake and tunnel systems as multi-city, multimillion-dollar work intended to add source resiliency during droughts. He said Lake Travis remained substantially below normal water levels.
Turning to wastewater, he described ongoing clarifier rehabs and construction of tertiary filters to meet permit requirements and improve treatment quality. On reuse, Michael described the "purple pipe" network and said planned segments will connect areas around Kalahari, Kenny Fort and tie into lines at Forest Creek; he noted design work to extend reuse lines behind the rec center and toward Gattis/Cedar Ridge areas.
Council members responded with thanks and praise for the department's work. Council member Flores said the presentation and video underlined staff dedication; Mayor Pro Tem Stevens, Council members Ortega, Montgomery and others echoed appreciation. There was no council motion or vote on the presentation itself.
The presentation concluded with a staff recognition moment. Michael asked employees in the room to stand; the council thanked the public works staff and the meeting moved on to subsequent agenda items.
