Dripping Springs Solicits Bids for Wastewater Plant Upgrade

The City of Dripping Springs has opened the bidding process for the first phase of its South Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility expansion. The city council voted to approve the invitation for bids during its October 20 meeting.

The initial construction package includes an influent pump station, aeration basins, yard piping, and UV disinfection equipment. The project is funded by grants from the Texas Water Development Board, which awarded the money to the city in July.

The current facility treats 162,500 gallons of wastewater per day. Upon completion of both expansion phases, the plant will have a capacity of approximately 820,000 gallons daily. City officials began planning this infrastructure update more than a decade ago in response to projected population growth. Although the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality granted the city a Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit in 2019, a lawsuit stalled progress until 2025.

Gray Lahrman, the city utilities director, noted that the permit allows the city to discharge treated water into natural waterways like Onion Creek. However, he stated that the city does not plan to use that option.

City staff will evaluate all received bids and present the lowest responsible and responsive offer to the council in early 2027. The design work for the second phase of the expansion will commence while the first phase is under construction.