Underground construction milestone reached
A major phase of a regional water infrastructure project serving Leander and Cedar Park is now complete beneath Lake Travis. The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority has finished all underground components of its new water delivery system, including two tunnels, each about 11 feet wide, built below the lake.
Project leaders told Leander City Council that the mining and lining of the tunnels are complete, with only minor touch-ups remaining underground.
The authority, formed in 2007, is a partnership between Leander, Cedar Park, and Round Rock. It is responsible for treating and distributing water from Lake Travis through the Lower Colorado River Authority.
Built to reduce drought vulnerability
Construction on the $225 million water delivery system began in 2022. Once completed, it is expected to increase the authority’s total water supply capacity to 145 million gallons per day and reduce the region’s exposure to severe drought conditions.
Leander and Cedar Park currently draw water from Lake Travis using floating pump stations located in Sandy Creek Cove. While the cove is relatively deep, prolonged droughts have lowered lake levels to the point where those floating barges were at risk of bottoming out and becoming unable to operate.
The new system addresses that concern by allowing water to be drawn from deep below the surface of the lake, where fluctuating water levels have less impact.
How the new system will work
Once operational, water will be pulled from a deep intake in Lake Travis and sent through one of the new underground tunnels to a pump station. From there, the water will move through a second tunnel to existing water treatment plants serving Leander, Cedar Park, and the regional system.
City officials say this approach ensures that even when Lake Travis levels drop significantly, the cities will still be able to access water.
Long-term planning through regional cooperation
Leander and Cedar Park leaders have pointed to the project as an example of how regional partnerships can support fast-growing communities. By sharing infrastructure, the cities can spread costs, coordinate planning, and provide flexibility when water demands change at different times.
Officials acknowledged that regional systems require coordination and compromise, particularly when cities are growing at different rates. However, the ability to share capacity during periods of higher demand is seen as a major benefit.
The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority’s new water delivery system is expected to be completed in 2027, reinforcing long-term water reliability for both Leander and Cedar Park as growth continues.
