Commissioners approve $600 million contingency increase and $1 billion WIFIA loan for Walnut Creek expansion

Austin Water staff told the Water and Wastewater Commission on March 11 that the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion has reached a new funding milestone and that rising construction costs require an increase in the project's contingency and borrowing authority. Commissioners voted unanimously to increase the construction contract ceiling by $600 million, to a revised maximum of $1.5 billion, and to authorize the City Manager to seek up to $1 billion in EPA WIFIA loan funds.

In a briefing, Assistant Director of Engineering and Technical Services Charles Solaros said the project combines a 25 million-gallon-per-day expansion with extensive modernization: a biological nutrient removal treatment process, ultraviolet disinfection to replace chemical disinfectants, advanced odor control, and a floodwall to protect the plant in the 100-year floodplain. "We're at a milestone now of being ready to move forward with the remaining funding for this project," Solaros said, summarizing why updated authorizations are before council and the commission.

Solaros…