Facilities Tours
Visit Our Treatment Plants
Austin Water offers guided tours of our water and wastewater treatment facilities for educational and professional audiences. Our guided group tours are an exclusive opportunity to see the inner workings of the treatment process, including how Austin Water delivers drinking water of the highest quality to our community and protects the environment by safely returning treated wastewater to the Colorado River.
Tours are free and typically held on the first Wednesday of each month from 8:30–10 a.m. Space is limited to 25 participants per tour, and all participants must be over 18 years of age.
Tours are available to:
- College-level students in water or wastewater fields
- Professional organizations in the water or wastewater industry
- State or federal government agencies
- Other municipal utilities
- Employees of other Austin Water divisions or City departments
Depending on demand, tour groups may include mixed parties. For example, a combination of students and industry professionals could be scheduled for the same tour.
What to Expect
Austin Water's treatment plants are working industrial facilities that cover large outdoor areas and require substantial walking. You can expect large equipment, treatment chemicals and elevated noise levels during your visit.
- Closed-toe shoes are required.
- Hats and sunscreen are recommended.
- You will need to present a valid photo ID at the security gate.
- Some areas of our facilities are not accessible to visitors with mobility limitations, and stairs are required to reach certain sections of the plants. Contact us before registering if you have accessibility questions.
- Photography is welcome in most areas of the facilities. Your guide will let you know if any areas are off limits for security reasons.
Tour Schedule
Submit your tour request at least 14 business days before your preferred date. Tours are held monthly at each of our six facilities on a rotating schedule.
| Tour Site | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beryl L. Handcox Water Treatment Plant | Oct. 1, 2025 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 6800 North FM 620, Austin, TX 78726 |
| South Austin Regional (SAR) Wastewater Treatment Plant | Nov. 5, 2025 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 1017 Fallwell Ln., Del Valle, TX 78617 |
| Albert H. Ullrich Water Treatment Plant | Dec. 3, 2025 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 1000 Forest View Dr., Austin, TX 78746 |
| Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant | Jan. 7, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 7113 FM 969, Austin, TX 78724 |
| Albert R. Davis Water Treatment Plant | Feb. 4, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 3500 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703 |
| Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant | Mar. 4, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 2210 S. FM 973, Austin, TX 78725 |
| Beryl L. Handcox Water Treatment Plant | Apr. 1, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 6800 North FM 620, Austin, TX 78726 |
| South Austin Regional (SAR) Wastewater Treatment Plant | May 6, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 1017 Fallwell Ln., Del Valle, TX 78617 |
| Albert H. Ullrich Water Treatment Plant | June 3, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 1000 Forest View Dr., Austin, TX 78746 |
| Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant | July 1, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 7113 FM 969, Austin, TX 78724 |
| Albert R. Davis Water Treatment Plant | Aug. 5, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 3500 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703 |
| Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant | Sept. 2, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 2210 S. FM 973, Austin, TX 78725 |
| Beryl L. Handcox Water Treatment Plant | Oct. 7, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 6800 North FM 620, Austin, TX 78726 |
| South Austin Regional (SAR) Wastewater Treatment Plant | Nov. 4, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 1017 Fallwell Ln., Del Valle, TX 78617 |
| Albert H. Ullrich Water Treatment Plant | Dec. 2, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m. | 1000 Forest View Dr., Austin, TX 78746 |
How to Register
Tour participation requires advance registration. All participants must be 18 or older.
To request a spot on a tour:
- Select a date and facility from the schedule above.
- Submit a Facilities Tour Request Form at least 14 business days before your preferred date.
- Acknowledge the Safety Terms and Conditions included in the form.
Once we receive and review your request, we will send a confirmation email with the tour date and time, facility address, parking instructions and safety guidelines. You will also need to sign and return a safety form before your visit.