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Utilities update: reclaimed water, $162M treatment plant expansion and several transmission projects in design
Summary
Utility staff told council a reclaimed water line to 1849 Park is in active design, the $162 million water treatment plant expansion aims for substantial completion in spring 2026, and multiple transmission and wastewater interceptor projects are staged with varying timelines and easement risks.
Utility staff briefed council on water, wastewater and reclaimed water projects in the CIP, including construction timing, design progress and easement risks.
On reclaimed water, staff said the 1849 Park purple pipe extension is at roughly 60–90% design and is expected to go to construction in fiscal 2026. For potable water, staff described several transmission projects, noting the 42‑inch transmission pipeline and a 30‑inch SH‑130 corridor line are in active design and tied to development along SH‑130 and the western corridor.
The water treatment plant expansion — a multi‑year project with substantial completion aimed for spring 2026 — was described as a $162,000,000 program with retainage and equipment warranties that could push final payments into 2027 if delays occur. “It could be retainage…So it's a $162,000,000 project overall,” Utility staff said.
Wastewater projects include the Wilbarger 6 MGD treatment facility (seeding late summer 2026; completion expected March 2027), multiple interceptors and lift station rehabilitations, and targeted work to remove asbestos‑cement piping. Staff noted some wastewater interceptors were ahead of schedule while others had been pushed out due to easement or eminent‑domain concerns.
Staff cautioned that easement acquisition and right‑of‑way issues can delay pipeline projects and that some lift stations lack backup generators, creating operational risk during power outages; staff described a specific lift station with flaking interior coating and no backup power as a priority for rehabilitation.
Next steps: staff will bring specific design and construction contracts to council for award consideration (some slated for October), continue easement negotiations, and coordinate with developers and Travis/Williamson counties on joint projects.
