Today, May 30, 2024, the Austin City Council approved contracts for significant enhancements and expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, totaling over $1 billion.
Under the approved contracts, construction is expected to begin in 2025 on an expansion to add treatment capacity of 25 million gallons per day to serve population growth. The existing plant is currently permitted to treat 75 million gallons per day.
Significant enhancements and modernizations will rebuild or replace aging parts of the existing plant and incorporate improved operational and environmental features throughout the facility.
The project will replace the disinfection system with ultraviolet (UV) light technology, eliminating the use of chlorine chemicals for disinfection and making the plant safer for workers and the community.
The treatment process for both the existing plant and the expansion will be upgraded to reduce nutrients that contribute to algae growth, benefiting the health of the Colorado River downstream of Austin. To improve resiliency, a wall will be built around the plant to protect it from floodwaters.
This construction will occur in every area of the plant while it continues operations. Given the complexities involved in operating during construction and rehabilitating components nearly 50 years old, a collaborative delivery method known as Construction Manager at Risk will be used. This method allows early hiring of contractors who can contribute to key areas such as constructability, maintenance of operations, scheduling work packages, and cost control.
“With these investments, every part of the treatment process will be enhanced and upgraded, and we will be prepared to serve the growing needs of our City,” said Shay Ralls Roalson, Director of Austin Water.
“Austin Water’s management and stewardship of Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and our wastewater infrastructure generally is one of our most important environmental legacies,” said Roalson. “Because of careful planning and around-the-clock efforts by our workforce, Austin Water will continue to provide this vital service responsibly.”
Project Cost Overview (amounts are approximate):
- Renewal Projects: $270 million
- Expansion Projects: $440 million
- Treatment Conversion Projects: $220 million
- Protection Projects: $120 million
Austin Water provides safe, reliable, high-quality water services that have met community needs for over 100 years. It serves over 1 million people in the Austin metropolitan area across more than 548 square miles.
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