Marble Falls launches $5 million water treatment plant expansion
Crews were constructing a large clear-well tank Oct. 30 at the Marble Falls water treatment plant facility adjacent to the north end of the U.S. 281 bridge over Lake Marble Falls. The expansion project, which will cost more than $5 million, is expanding the plant's capacity to keep up with growing demand. Staff photo by Connie Swinney
FROM STAFF REPORTS
MARBLE FALLS — Crews have built a water tank to expand the city’s water treatment plant capacity as part of a more than $5 million plant expansion project, Marble Falls officials said.
The new structure is located at the north end of the U.S. 281 bridge over Lake Marble Falls.
“They’re looking at what’s called a clear-well tank, a very large tank,” City Manager Mike Hodge said. “It’s basically a second unit that we’re putting in in preparation for the final phase of the expansion project.”
The tank will store water taken from the lake prior to treatment, he said.
“Currently, we’re utilizing about 70 percent of the current plant capacity, so we’re at a point where we need to expand. So whenever we have very hot and dry days, we have enough capacity in order to provide water to the drinking public,” Hodge said.
Officials must expand to be compliant with regulations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Hodge said.
“We are basically under a requirement to expand the plant. When you’re on 70 percent (capacity), you need to be starting the design,” Hodge said. “When you’re on 80 and 90 percent, you need to be under construction. On (certain) days, we’re at the 80 or 90 percent threshold. That’s why we’re under construction.”
The clear-well tank is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2015.
“We will be constructing a filter system, adding additional filter units, so that we can ultimately treat about 4.5 million gallons of water per day at that facility,” Hodge said of the subsequent phase of the project.
City officials will maintain current staff levels once the expansion is complete. The total expansion will cost more than $5 million to be paid for with certificates of obligation (bond debt).
The total project is scheduled to be completed in early 2016.
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They are also needing to expand due to the fact that they have annexed many new areas which need water lines and infrastructure. Plus they are annexing more land south of hwy 71 that literally will put more strain on even the expansion being built. They need to remember that Lake marble falls only has Just so much water in it and could easily look like lake Travis. With out water Growth wont mean much.