Water Treatment Plant 4

Water Treatment Plant 4 Moves Forward

The Austin Chamber works to support a comprehensive strategy to plan for future water needs, including conservation, increased use of reclaimed water and construction of a new Water Treatment Plant 4. Following report from the City Auditor on September 21, 2011 showing the majority of projected delay costs were reasonable estimates, elected officials announced they would not seek a delay and the project will now move forward.

Water LogoSince the 1980s, the Chamber has supported construction of WTP 4 to ensure that our businesses have predictable, reliable, and affordable utility resources for their long-term prosperity. The Chamber and its partner organizations have advocated for the timely, on-budget completion of this project. Partners include sister chambers--Austin Asian-American Chamber, Capital City African American Chamber, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber—as well as AARO, ABOR, AGC, Austin Apartment Association, Austin Young Chamber, BOMA, DAA, HBA, and RECA.

Water Treatment capacity was identified as a strategic imperative for the Opportunity Austin 2.0 initiative and Austin Mayor Leffingwell made the enhancement of Austin’s water infrastructure a priority in his first term of office.

We Want Water Campaign

Our community has been planning for a much needed improvement (the public supported construction of water treatment plant #4 in a referendum held in 1984) to our water supply for decades and now is the time to move forward.

The Austin Chamber has repeatedly stated its support of a comprehensive strategy to plan for future water needs including conservation, increased use of reclaimed water and construction of a new WTP4.

With a timeframe of 4 – 5 years to construct the facility, now is the time to move forward with this vital infrastructure project. Even with current efforts to improve water conservation and use of reclaimed water, Austin Water Utility professionals estimate that Water Treatment Plant 4 needs to be operational by 2016 to address the City's water needs.

Our community has been planning for a much needed improvement (the public supported construction of water treatment plant #4 in a referendum held in 1984) to our water supply for decades and now is the time to move forward.

The Austin Chamber has repeatedly stated its support of a comprehensive strategy to plan for future water needs including conservation, increased use of reclaimed water and construction of a new WTP4. Will you and your business associates join us to show your support?

Between now and early 2010, Austin City Council will consider and vote on a number of items related to Water Treatment Plant 4. With a timeframe of 4 – 5 years to construct the facility, now is the time to move forward with this vital infrastructure project. Even with current efforts to improve water conservation and use of reclaimed water, Austin Water Utility professionals estimate that Water Treatment Plant 4 needs to be operational by 2016 to address the City's water needs.

We want conservation. We also want to preserve our water supply to ensure the quality of life that makes Austin unique. The Austin Water Department estimates that, even with greater conservation efforts, the city's water needs will outpace current capacity within 7 years. A new plant could be online in 4-5 years and would prevent a potentially serious water shortage.


We want reliability.

  • Water Treatment Plant 4 (WTP4) will provide additional reliability by drawing from a second source, Lake Travis, in addition to Lake Austin.
  • The City, following the 2008 closing of the Green Treatment Plant, is served by only two aging water plants. WTP4 will allow for repairs and improvements without impacting daily water service.

We want responsibility.

  • Building now could save taxpayers $23 to $45 million because of today's lower construction costs.
  • WTP4 would allow Austin to take advantage of the latest and most environmentally friendly water delivery technologies.
  • Water from Lake Travis, some of the cleanest in the country, will cost less to treat per gallon.
  • WTP4 will ensure an adequate pressure as water travels to homes, businesses and fire hydrants throughout the entire city.

We want sustainability.

  • In the first year alone, the reduction in emissions would be equivalent to removing 2,000 cars from the road for an entire year!
  • WTP4's high elevation will use gravity instead of expensive uphill pumping systems, saving electricity and up to $1.7 million per year.

Resources

Austin’s access to a young, educated population has spurred the growth of a robust clinical trial atmosphere.  Local hospitals, physician’s offices and specialty healthcare related entities also partner in various clinical trials, covering all aspects of life sciences.