exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

The dam, completed in 1951 and located just upstream from Marble Falls on the Texas Colorado River, needs more than a little work. LCRA is replacing all 10 floodgates with newly built gates, and either refurbishing or replacing its gate-lifting hoists and hoist bridges.

Industrial wastewater presents some of the biggest challenges in water management today. But why is it so difficult to treat?

Leander is ensuring that all water meters in the area are able to wirelessly send data to the city, and the process will require installing a minimum of 15 communication towers around town, Bettis said. Some of the towers will be built as 75-foot poles and others will be stationed on existing elevated water towers.

Hutto requested a comprehensive water and wastewater rate study in December to independently assess the existing rates and provide recommendations for all customers.
“That study intends to help shape what increases may impact different customer classes,” Hutto Public Works Director Rick Coronado said. “That will provide us with financing for the future and budgeting purposes. That way those projects that are still in play can continue to be financed through the future.”

The city of Marble Falls has officially locked in $45.35 million from the Texas Water Development Board to build a new wastewater treatment plant. With the funds, construction can begin soon on the $87 million facility, which is the largest project the city has ever undertaken. 

Neighbors in Beeville now have some relief with the city providing cases of water. They've been without water at their homes since Tuesday, Feb. 18.

They said the system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore adequate pressure, disinfectant levels, and/or bacteriological quality.

The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of February 19, 2025 in the affected area.

Bellaire officials approved a $3 million work order Feb. 17 during city council to advance the city’s regional drainage improvement program.

The city is currently facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit and has not secured funding for required water infrastructure projects.

Texas earned a D+ and a D- for the drinking water and wastewater sectors, respectively.

Under the plan, 15 mobile generators currently leased by CenterPoint will be moved from Houston to San Antonio this summer. Customers across the state grid will pay the estimated $54 million cost to move, connect and operate the diesel-fueled generators.

Wastewater treatment is a difficult process with each facility containing hundreds of IP-enabled assets and thousands of data points that report continuously. Regulation and oversight of the treatment process is an important aspect of environmental protection and public health. As water regulations continue to evolve, water and wastewater treatment plants often struggle to manage the mountains of data required to keep up with compliance and efficiently operate the facility. 

Both cities are exploring contingency plans now that the Corpus Christi water supplies could be exhausted, worst-case scenario, by next year.

The Lower Colorado River Authority likely will move to Stage 2 of its drought response in early March, which would require all LCRA firm water customers to increase water saving measures and limit outdoor watering to no more than once a week. LCRA was last in Stage 2 of its drought response from August 2023 through June 2024.

Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed a disaster proclamation for ongoing drought conditions in Texas. Originally issued in July 2022, the proclamation was extended on Friday, to cover multiple counties still affected by severe drought.

Oklahoma Senator David Bullard’s Senate Bill 92 would set aside half a billion dollars for water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the state. 

A drilling rig is in place along the Nueces River to try and produce a million gallon a day water well.

13 Investigates found test results from the Indian Forest neighborhood in Montgomery County show lead in tap water exceeds EPA limits.

Residents in a Livingston subdivision are asked to boil their water following a line break. The affected area is Indian Springs, according to a release posted by Polk County Emergency Management Tuesday. The notice was first published by Lake Livingston Water Supply on Saturday.

Across Pflugerville and Hutto, some residents have expressed confusion over utility services after seeing increases in their monthly bills.