Officials said the updates, which were approved throughout 2022, will serve as a map to help ensure that residents receive adequate water services as the city population increases in the next 20 years.
Utilities Department Director Michael Thane said all of the plan updates will help city staff examine the existing state of infrastructure used to render some utility services.
Additionally, master plan updates give the city’s utility department an opportunity to ascertain what needs improvement or expansion, Thane said. In March, the city was forced to evaluate its existing wastewater infrastructure following heavy rains and ongoing issues that caused a wastewater treatment plan in the city to become overwhelmed and release excess effluent into Brushy Creek.
To address some of the causes of this issue and prevent future overwhelming, City Council approved a contract for a Wastewater Master Plan update. Once updated, the plan will help partner cities Austin, Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock determine infrastructure needs such as the timing of the next plant expansion.
“With the rapid growth we received from the four cities, we need to make sure we get ahead of the game,” Thane said in August. “So we’ll get a good report of that when we start that design for the next expansion there.”
Similarly, the Stormwater Master Plan will identify where and what kinds of infrastructure updates are necessary to address flooding in the area during instances of extreme weather.
Officials ordered the Water Master Plan update in late October to assist with the completion of the city’s impact fee study, but it will serve a similar purpose as the wastewater update, Thane said.
“We’re doing this because we’re seeing some tremendous growth and construction costs continue to rise,” Thane said.
Other stories to follow in 2023:
Griffith building to be renovated
City officials have confirmed that with the opening of the new Round Rock Public Library, the unoccupied Robert G. and Helen Griffith Public Library building will likely be renovated to accommodate the Round Rock Chamber, the Round Rock Arts and Culture Department, and a visitors center.
Candidacies announced for City Council
Four city of Round Rock officials have declared candidacy ahead of the City Council election set for May 6.
Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan confirmed Dec. 6 that he will seek re-election, and Place 1 Council Member Michelle Ly issued a press release Dec. 12 announcing her intention to run for re-election in May.
Greg Rabaey, vice chair of the Round Rock Planning and Zoning Commission, announced Dec. 15 his candidacy in the race for Place 4. Place 4 incumbent Frank Ortega also announced his candidacy for re-election Jan. 2.
The deadline to file for candidacy for the May 6 election is Feb. 17.
