Boondoggle Alert on Walnut Creek: Let’s Take a Smarter Approach to Wastewater Management This Thursday, the Austin City Council will consider a resolution (Item 62) that proposes unspecified amendments to environmental regulations to allow for the proposed expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. This $900 million expansion would increase the plant’s capacity to 100 million gallons per day (MGD), a move that raises enormous financial and environmental concerns. This expansion is not only a waste of money but also highlights the Austin Water Utility’s failure to prioritize water conservation as a more effective and sustainable solution to managing wastewater. The justification for this massive infrastructure project is questionable at best. The Walnut Creek WWTP has not exceeded its design capacity of 75 MGD in the past 17 years, and it hasn’t even reached the threshold under Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations that would require expansion. For context, TCEQ only mandates construction of additional capacity when a plant exceeds 90% of its permitted flow for three consecutive months. Walnut Creek WWTP has not hit this threshold. Instead of rushing into an unnecessary and costly expansion, we should first focus on reducing wastewater generation through upfront water conservation measures, reuse initiatives, and improved efficiency. These strategies are proven to lower wastewater flows and could eliminate the need for such drastic and expensive action. The plant’s history also raises red flags about environmental risks. Past compliance issues include unauthorized discharges of untreated wastewater into local waterways, resulting in fish kills and other environmental harm. Expanding a facility with such a record without addressing its operational shortcomings could lead to even greater risks and damage. We now know that the proposed expansion would also require variances to Austin’s environmental code, further jeopardizing the city’s waterways and ecosystems. Austin prides itself on being a leader in sustainability, yet this proposal flies in the face of those values. This expansion was the main driver in hiking up our water utility bills this year. Continuing to fund these massive infrastructure projects negates the investments we are making in conservation. By investing instead in water conservation and reuse programs, the city can reduce the strain on its wastewater system while protecting the environment and saving ratepayers money. These solutions align with Austin’s commitment to environmental stewardship and offer a smarter, more sustainable path forward. We need your help to stop this misguided project. Join us in urging the Austin City Council to reject Item 62 and focus on forward-thinking solutions. Sign up to speak on Thursday and make your voice heard. Together, we can advocate for a greener, more responsible Austin. When: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 10am.
Where: Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Sign Up to Speak: Register by Noon on Wednesday | 
