As one of the fastest-growing cities in central Texas, Georgetown is taking significant steps to ensure its water supply remains sustainable for the future. Facing a potential water shortage by 2030, the city has launched a $291.8 million initiative to expand its water infrastructure, including the development of the South Lake Water Treatment Plant, reports My San Antonio.
The new facility, currently under construction, is expected to increase the city's treated water supply by 22 million gallons per day (mgd) this summer and an additional 22 mgd next summer, doubling the treatment capacity of the city's water utility. According to city officials, the project is a crucial investment in addressing rising water demands fuelled by population growth.
The South Lake Water Treatment Plant, which comes with a $175.3 million contract with PLW Waterworks, is being funded through a combination of new home developer fees and revenue from water utility bills. The project also includes the installation of water, wastewater, and electric lines to support the plant’s operations at Lake Georgetown. Construction is scheduled in two phases and is expected to be completed by 2026.
In addition to the new plant, Georgetown completed two other major water projects in 2024. The city expanded the North Lake Water Treatment Plant, increasing its capacity by 30% to 37.4 mgd, at a cost of $11.7 million. Additionally, the Southside Water Treatment Plant underwent rehabilitation, adding 3.6 mgd to the city’s supply.
Currently, Georgetown relies on the Brazos River Authority for 70% of its water, with limited access to groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer. However, city officials are working to diversify their supply, as the city’s 2022 Integrated Water Resources Plan recommends turning to groundwater as it is less susceptible to drought than surface water.
To achieve this, Georgetown is negotiating three potential groundwater contracts with EPCOR, GateHouse Water, and Recharge Water and Brewer. In January, the City Council authorized negotiations with Recharge Water to assess the cost of sourcing up to 34,800 acre-feet of water annually from the Simsboro Aquifer. The city has also entered into a two-year reservation agreement with EPCOR, which could lead to a contract for delivering 32-62.5 mgd of treated groundwater by 2030.
EPCOR’s project involves constructing an 80-mile underground pipeline from Robertson County to Georgetown, significantly increasing the city's access to groundwater. If all agreements move forward as planned, these new contracts could add up to 110 mgd of additional groundwater supply, providing a long-term solution for Georgetown’s growing water needs.
City officials expect to provide an update on these negotiations by the end of 2025. As Georgetown continues to expand, these infrastructure investments are critical to securing a sustainable water supply and ensuring the city’s future resilience against potential shortages.
