Pipeline project nears completion in Horseshoe Bay
A Horseshoe Bay water line project is nearing completion, putting an end to months of construction and traffic disruption. Stock image.
A Horseshoe Bay water line project that has caused months of construction and traffic disruptions is almost finished, city officials said, with full completion planned for March 2026. Crews have finished installing a new 16-inch water transmission line along Clayton Nolen Drive, Pawnee Trail and Hi Mesa, a line designed to more than double water-flow capacity in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas.
The project, known as the High Zone Transmission Main, is funded entirely through utility impact fees, one-time charges collected from new development to help cities build the infrastructure needed to support growth.
“This project was identified as a critical water-infrastructure improvement in response to the city’s continued growth and increasing water demand,” Utilities Director Ray Garcias told DailyTrib. “The need for this upgrade was originally determined by the current city manager, Mr. Jeff Koska, during his tenure as director of the utilities department.”
Garcias said the project’s primary goal is to strengthen water supply on the west side of the city by installing a new 16-inch main transmission line capable of providing uninterrupted flow to the Summit Rock Water Tower.
“This improvement will be an addition to the existing 12-inch main line, which contains multiple service connections that restrict flow and slow the process of maintaining adequate tower levels during both peak demand and normal operating conditions,” Garcias added.
With installation finished, the contractor is pressure-testing the line and making any necessary repairs before connecting it to the city’s high-storage pump room in early 2026. Remaining work includes restoring streets, driveways and other disturbed areas.
Once fully operational, the new pipeline will reduce the current eight-hour water transfer from the Central Water Plant to the Summit Rock Water Tower to about four hours. The upgrade will allow faster, more reliable delivery to the 750,000-gallon tower while strengthening the city’s overall water infrastructure according to the Horseshoe Bay officials.