A new wastewater treatment plant in Hutto is expected to break ground this summer and by 2016 be treating up to 2 million gallons of the city’s wastewater each day. “As exciting as wastewater can be, I think it’s really exciting,” City Engineer Matthew Bushak said. “This is something that’s been about eight years in the making.” Wastewater is used water drained from kitchen and bathroom fixtures as well as residential or commercial appliances. The Hutto South Wastewater Treatment Plant is a $21.3 million project approved by City Council in 2013 to accommodate Hutto’s growing population and alleviate the burden on Hutto’s existing plant, which had reached up to 80 percent capacity, Bushak said. To date the treatment plant is the largest capital expense Hutto has ever incurred, he said. The new water treatment plant will use microwave radiation instead of chlorine to sanitize wastewater and allow for future recycled uses of the water—such as agricultural use or to water sports fields. These options are not currently useful or available in Hutto, so the treated water from the plant is scheduled to be drained into Brushy Creek, he said. Round Rock uses wastewater to irrigate Old Settlers Park, the Dell Diamond and other water-hungry sites. The city of Pflugerville announced in October it is looking to expand its wastewater use to include industrial and business use. Hutto Council Member Anne Cano said the new wastewater treatment plant shows that Hutto is not only conscious of its present needs but is planning for the future. “What this says to me is we’re preparing for our future growth,” she said. “It shows that we expect the growth, and we’re not going to be behind the curve. It shows us as being forward-thinking and preparing ourselves.” Cano said the city is focusing on drawing new commercial and residential development and said infrastructure is a critical component to securing new investments. “If we don’t have infrastructure, we can’t put a building on the ground,” she said. Erin Klingemann, interim president of the Hutto Economic Development Corp., said the new wastewater treatment plant is needed in Hutto for residential growth and incoming businesses. “It is important for all cities to stay ahead of infrastructure needs in order to be prepared for the future,” she said. The Hutto South Wastewater Treatment Plant is being constructed on the Saul property at 10700 FM 1660 and will be obscured from nearby neighborhoods by a line of trees, Bushak said. No lights will be pointed toward neighboring subdivisions, and the plant will be built to minimize noise, odor and environmental impact, he said. “We spent some extra money to keep it as out-of-sight, out-of-mind as possible—to cut down on any nuisances,” Bushak said.