Project Overview

After Winter Storm Uri in 2021 caused extensive water outages in the area, we've been studying, designing and planning improvements to the water infrastructure for our neighbors in Southwest Austin. In May 2023, Austin City Council authorized two engineering services contracts for two related projects: the Southwest Parkway Transmission Main and Elevated Reservoir project and the South I-35 Elevated Reservoir project.

The first of these two projects will serve approximately 7,000 customers in the Southwest B pressure zone, who are currently served by only one reservoir. We need an additional reservoir on Southwest Parkway near Amarra Drive to improve storage and resiliency in the pressure zone. This elevated reservoir is expected to be approximately 120 feet tall with a 2.5 MGD (million-gallons-per-day) capacity and will connect to the Southwest Parkway Transmission Main project, providing safe, reliable service to Austin Water customers in the northern section of the Southwest B pressure zone.

These water storage projects are part of Austin Water's Strategic Long-Range Water System Plan. We're moving forward based on recommendations from the University of Texas Center for Water and the Environment to create additional pathways for water supply to reach customers in South, Southwest and Southeast Austin. During Winter Storm Uri, Southwest Austin was hardest hit because it's farther away from centralized water distribution sources. Each reservoir will provide more water storage in Austin Water's service area during extreme weather events.

"The construction of these two major projects will further enhance our ability to deliver and maintain dependable water service to areas of Austin," said Shay Ralls Roalson, director of Austin Water. "Together, these important system upgrades will also help reduce impacts to our operations during emergencies by strengthening and improving our infrastructure resiliency."

Timeline

Design and permitting completion are expected to start in April 2027. Construction is not expected to start until October 2027 and will continue for three years through 2030.

Communications

Outreach to the community will begin this spring with a public meeting planned in April.

Contacts

Chris Irwin, Project Manager
Austin Capital Delivery Services
chris.irwin@austintexas.gov
512-974-7332

Mary Anne Connolly
Austin Water Public Information Office
maryanneconnolly@austintexas.gov
512-972-2180