Since the early 2000s, the city of San Marcos has been working with the Alliance Regional Water Authority. Due to the growth of San Marcos, Buda and Kyle, at some point in the future the cities would be in jeopardy of running out of water, according to San Marcos Director of Utilities Tyler Hjorth.
The agreement between the city and the ARWA brings in an adequate amount of water for the residents of San Marcos, Buda and Kyle for the next 50 years, Hjorth said, and could deliver as much as 6 million gallons a day.The water will be delivered from the Carrizo Aquifer, and once treated, the water will travel through a 50-mile underground pipeline—that comes in past Lockhart and connects with the city of San Marcos—to groundwater storage tanks.
The roughly 15-acre water treatment plant is located 12 miles east of Lockhart and about 35 miles apart from the groundwater storage tanks in Blanco Vista, visible from I-35. Construction for Phase 1 of the project started in August 2021.
Space: 50 miles
Timeline: Phase 1: first half of water supply by the end of 2023; Phase 2: anticipated completion in 2030
Multiple homes being built in the eastern area of San Marcos
The city of San Marcos agreed to provide wastewater services for two new utility districts on the eastern side of the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction in December. The agreement was made with a developer who is responsible for the construction.
“The city was very excited to enter the development agreement with these two utility districts,” San Marcos Director of Utilities Tyler Hjorth said. “It allows us to provide some protection to the San Marcos river banks, but also work with the developer to bring in much needed housing and commercial on the east side of town.”
This land will be used for the development of several single-family homes as well as a commercial district.
The utility districts are located in the vicinity of Old Bastrop Highway between Redwood Road and the San Marcos River, according to city documents. The districts are adjacent from one another, but they are being developed at different times. One utility district is roughly 567 acres, and the other is approximately 475 acres.
Space: Two parcels between Redwood Road, Old Bastrop Highway and the San Marcos River
Timeline: TBD
Several multipurpose lots approved for Buda
In 2019, Travis County’s Commissioners Court approved the final plat of Turners Crossing South Phase 1 located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Austin within Buda’s city limits.
The land is roughly 131 acres, and it will consist of one commercial lot, one amenity lot, five drainage/park lots, one multifamily lot and 251 single-family lots. The city of Austin will provide fire flow, water and wastewater to the area. Located 20 minutes from downtown Austin, Turner’s Crossing will offer seven single-story and two-story traditional floor plans that range from 1,240-2,024 square feet.
Residents will have easy access to shopping, entertainment and dining in both Buda and South Austin. Homes in Turner’s Crossing will start at $376,990.
They will come with three to four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, one half bathroom, and a two-car garage with one- or two-story options.
Because this is the initial step, a timeline has not been confirmed. Once the plan is finalized, the project’s timeline will be available.
Space: approximately 131 acres
Timeline: TBD
