Government
Officials approve $600M wastewater plant expansion costs increase
City officials approved a $600 million or 66% increase to expected construction costs for the expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The big picture The Walnut Creek plant first opened in the late 1970s with the ability to process 18 million gallons daily, or MGD, and it’s grown over the years to its current 75 MGD capacity. Actual treatment levels are closer to 60 MGD today but expected to near that 75 MGD limit in just a few years due to popula- tion growth, requiring the expan- sion initiative increasing capacity to 100 MGD by 2032. Multiple contracts totaling more
than $1 billion, both for the expan- sion and related modernization and facility improvements, were approved in 2024. Austin Water has anticipated securing federal and state loans for a large share of the project cost, and using local revenue bonds supported by rising utility charges. The largest of the 2024 contracts was a $900 million agreement for preliminary engineering work by MWH Constructors. In March, City Council voted to increase that authorization up to a total of $1.5 billion for final construction due to updated project designs and other cost escalations, according to AW officials.
A project to add 25 million gallons per day to the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant’s existing 75 MGD capacity is expected to wrap up in 2030. Expansion timeline
25 MGD Expansion
2025 Q1 Q2Q3Q4
2026 Q1 Q2Q3Q4
2027 Q1 Q2Q3Q4
2030 Q1 Q2Q3Q4
2024 Q1 Q2Q3Q4
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Design
Pre- construction
Construction
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Penalties increased for noisy vehicles Residents, law enforcement and city officials said the policy came together after extensive reports of disruptive noise and racing activity around neighborhoods.
A new ordinance was approved to combat excessively loud vehicles that have reportedly become a growing nuisance on Austin streets. What happened Drivers whose cars or motorcy- cles are unreasonably loud can now be cited after an initial warning is issued. Violations are Class C misdemeanors.
SCOFIELD BRANCH 1500 W Parmer Ln Austin TX, 78727
“This is a constant daily threat to our peace and safety, and a noise ordinance is written as a balanced, reasonable measure that empowers our officers to protect our commu- nity,” resident Lisa Capps said.
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