The project is split up into three phases, the first of which is expected to be complete by June 2023 and cost an estimated $17.1M. Funding for the project will come from several sources, including bonds and existing fee income.
Phase 1 of the project consists of a water and wastewater fees study, general improvements to the water supply system and the construction of an Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) well, which will store water from the Trinity Aquifer in times of low demand for use when demand is higher, such as during the summer.
"We're pumping water out of the aquifer and storing it so we can draw it back out at another time when we have key periods," said Wade Benton, interim public works and engineering director for the city of Hutto.
Construction on the ASR well will begin spring 2022.
Plans for further phases of the project include expansion of water pumping stations, construction of three new aquifer wells and eventually construction of a second ASR well and a brackish water treatment plant.
