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Elgin has bolstered its utility infrastructure with the installation of backup generators across its water and wastewater systems, ensuring uninterrupted service during emergencies, according to City Council.
New generators have been added at the water treatment plant, booster station and wells No. 15, 16 and 17. An existing generator from the wastewater treatment plant expansion was also repurposed for well No. 14.
In April, the city opened the Doug Prinz Memorial Wastewater Treatment Plant. The $17.6 million facility includes a dedicated generator to support operations, alongside mobile units that can be deployed to lift stations during emergencies.
“During Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the city, as most communities in Central Texas did, experienced an extended loss of electrical service,” city officials said in a prepared release. “Due to the lack of service through Oncor, the City’s water and most of the City’s wastewater systems were not operable for almost a week. We made these investments to ensure that basic utility services will continue for our residents even during extreme weather conditions.”
These upgrades, funded through Certificates of Obligation 2021, help guarantee that all parts of the water treatment system and essential utility services will remain operational, no matter the conditions, according to the city.
As Elgin’s population is projected to grow to 50,000 in the coming years, Mayor Theresa McShan emphasized the importance of these improvements.
