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What is the South I-35 Water/Wastewater Program and why is it needed?
The South I-35 Water/Wastewater Program is the Austin Water Utility (AWU)'s solution to meeting
South Austin's rapidly growing water and wastewater infrastructure needs, specifically alongside
and east of Interstate 35. AWU had developed a service plan that was tied to service extension
requests (SERs) submitted by developers. However, the need to provide services in a timely
manner for the large number of SERs received mandated a new approach. AWU created the Program
to facilitate the SERs as well as the utility's long-range plan.
How does the South I-35 Water/Wastewater Program fit in the with the City of Austin's Smart
Growth Initiative?
The Program conforms to the Smart Growth Initiative. One key goal of Smart Growth is to
encourage development in the Desired Development Zone (the area of the City roughly east of Loop 1)
and discourage urbanized growth in the environmentally sensitive Drinking Water Protection Zone.
All developments that will receive water and wastewater service under the Program are located
within the Desired Development Zone. The program will have additional environmental benefits
by providing surface water to an area that would otherwise further draw down water from the
Barton Springs portion of the Edwards Aquifer.
Who will receive services from the Program? If I currently have a well and septic system, will
I be able to hook up to the lines?
The Program is primarily designed to provide services to new developments, as mentioned above.
However, in the future, it may be possible for those not currently receiving City water and
wastewater services to request them as a result of the new infrastructure that will be in
place after construction is complete. Those desiring future service may be able to apply
through the Austin Water Utility's Tap Office. For more information on the Tap process,
visit AWU's website at www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/tapforms.htm.
What will be done and when?
AWU will be installing 13 miles of large diameter water transmission main, 5 miles of
wastewater interceptors, a 20 million gallons per day pump station at the existing Pilot
Knob Reservoir, and a 3-4 million gallon elevated storage tank adjacent to west right-of-way
line of South IH-35. The goal of the Program is to have all improvements constructed and operational by end of 2010.
What is the size and location of the waterline?
The water line will be located along Interstate 35 from Slaughter Lane south to FM 1327, east
to Bradshaw Road, north to E. Slaughter Lane, east to Thaxton Road, then north to the existing
Pilot Knob Pump Station.
What are the sizes and locations of the wastewater lines?
Five wastewater interceptors will be constructed as follows:
'Onion Creek Wastewater Interceptor Tunnel - Rinard to Slaughter' will be 54-inch diameter
and will connect the Onion Creek Package Wastewater Treatment Plant (OCPWWTP) to an existing
junction box near the confluence of Onion and Slaughter Creeks.
'Onion Creek Wastewater Interceptor Tunnel - I-35 to Rinard' will be 42-inch diameter and
will connect a new manhole/junction box west of I-35 to OCPWWTP.
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'Onion Creek Wastewater Interceptor Tie-in Line - Bradshaw Rd to I 35' will be 36-inch
diameter or smaller and will connect new developments south of Onion Creek to a new
manhole/junction box west of I-35.
'Onion-Fox Hill Wastewater Collection Line' will be 18-inch diameter or smaller and
will run through the proposed Fox Hill development located south of Onion Creek.
'Onion-Bella Fortuna Wastewater Collection Line' will be 18-inch diameter or smaller
and will run through the proposed Bella Fortuna development located south of Onion Creek.
What exactly is a wastewater interceptor?
Wastewater is produced whenever someone takes a shower, flushes a toilet, runs the washing
machine, etc. This wastewater is carried through a small diameter pipe (typically 8 inches in
diameter) which eventually ties into a regional "interceptor" sewer line that conveys the
wastewater to a wastewater treatment plant. Due to high volume of flow, interceptors are
typically large diameter (24 inches and larger).
Will lift stations be required?
No new lift stations will be needed.
How will affected property owners be compensated? How will the compensation be determined and
when would it be paid?
Easements will be acquired. For each easement, an outside appraiser will determine easement
cost. The City will review the appraisal, and then make an offer to the property owner.
Timing of payment is dependent on the appraisal process.
How will affected property be restored after the construction is finished?
The contractor is required to restore affected property to "like or better" condition.
When will construction begin?
Construction of the water transmission main will begin in Fall 2009. The water pump station
and wastewater interceptors will begin construction in early 2010.
Who will be doing the work?
Due to the large size of the Program, AWU has hired URS Corporation (URS) to manage the Program,
and Group Solutions RJW to coordinate and communicate with the public. Numerous engineering
consultants have been assigned to the individual projects, and upon completion of each design
project, bids will be solicited from contractors to construct the work.
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