A Preliminary Engineering Report (Facility Plan) and Environmental Report was prepared in compliance with Texas Water Development Board funding guidelines which recommended wastewater treatment and collection improvements for the City of Burnet over a 20-year design period. The project encompassed the construction of a 1.7 MGD BNR wastewater treatment plant to meet effluent criterion of 5 mg/l CBOD5, 5 mg/l TSS, 2 mg/l NH3-N, 6 mg/l TN, 0.5 mg/l P, 5.0 mg/l O2 and E. coli 126/100 ml. As a result of settlement agreements with the City of Austin and LCRA, Burnet agreed to a 0.15 mg/l P limitation. This effluent criterion is considered the most stringent discharge limitation in Texas. Unit processes included mechanical screening (0.25”), biological nutrient removal (N and P), activated sludge, final clarification, chemical phosphorus removal, tertiary filtration, ultraviolet disinfection, cascade aeration, aerobic digestion, sludge thickening, belt filter press sludge dewatering, beneficial reuse of sludge, effluent discharge and effluent irrigation.

The WWTP incorporated six pump stations including main lift station, RAS pump station, WAS pump station, sludge pump station, non-potable water pump station, and effluent reuse pump station. New buildings included the Operations Building, Main Lift Station, Chlorination Building, Polymer Pump Building, and Belt Filter Press Building. The project was constructed on a site utilizing approximately 10 acres. The project was constructed as a brand new facility. The City of Burnet used the existing 0.746 MGD WWTP for treatment during construction. It was then decommissioned after the new construction was completed.

WTC procured construction permitting from LCRA, TxDOT, USACE, and TCEQ