As the city of Austin continues to expand, the need for reliable infrastructure keeps pace. The latest completion of the North Austin Reservoir and Pump Station at 826 Old Koenig Lane marks a notable step in updating the city's water system. With a capacity of 8 million gallons and a new pump station capable of providing 50 million gallons per day, this project aims to ensure water reliability for Austin residents for years to come.
The reservoir, a fixture for over a century, now boasts improved facilities designed not only to maintain but to actively enhance water service and pressure across Austin. Assistant City Manager Mike Rogers was quoted in a statement, celebrating the effort as "an excellent example of how the City of Austin comes together to deliver on big projects with a collaborative, team approach," as reported by the City of Austin. Despite the complexity and scale of the operation, the Austin Water team was able to demolish the old reservoir and erect the new one without interrupting service to customers.
The project was not merely about replacing an old structure but was fundamentally about modernizing an essential part of Austin's urban core. Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson told Austin's official website that their project team brought the new reservoir online "a year ahead of schedule, further improving reliability for Austin Water’s customers." This feat was partially enabled by funding from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which underscores the commitment of various administrative levels to invest in the city's resilience.
Moreover, with winter approaching, there is a push for both the utility and residents to prepare for the colder weather. Roalson emphasized the importance of such preparedness, noting on Austin's news release, “While Austin Water is taking steps to winterize our facilities and prepare for the upcoming winter season, we ask customers to prepare their homes and business for winter weather." This includes locating and ensuring clear access to the water shut-off valve, insulating pipes in vulnerable areas, turning off and draining external facilities, and maintaining an emergency water supply.
