Posted: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:01 AM - 10,482 Readers

By: Steve Alberts

photo by KVUE News

For more than 20 years, Austinites have debated whether to build a new water treatment plant. The item was before council again Thursday.

If approved the plant would be built at the corner of FM 620 and Bullick Hollow Road. It would open in 2014 and treat 50 million gallons of water a day, drawing its water directly from Lake Travis. The cost -- about $508 million.

Thursday afternoon, both sides of the debate made their final arguments before the city council.

The first step in the lengthy process is to award a $3 million contract to excavate the site, beginning the building process.

Council members Bill Spelman, Laura Morrison and Chris Riley raised concerns about building the plant, arguing the city should use less water and not build a new water treatment plant.

"There are a lot of things we can do instead of spend a half a million dollars on a new water treatment plant," said Bill Spelman, council member. "I think what we’re urging the city manager to consider is other uses of the money, other means of providing for our water security that are going to be safer, more secure and cheaper than another water treatment plant."

"Moving forward with Water Treatment Plant 4 is not needed," said Laura Morrison, council member. "It would have detrimental impacts and negative consequences on our community."

Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez and Council Member Sheryl Cole have been strong supporters. They argue it will benefit the city and meet future long term demands for water in a growing community. Council member Randi Shade was the swing vote but came out in favor of it.

"What I'm worried about and what made me decide to support (the) staff’s recommendation was we have two aging plants that are landlocked in close proximity to neighborhoods. Technology has also changed. Elevation and gravity need to be working in our favor, especially when we consider transmission needs to the northern part of our community," she said.

Shade said she wants to end what she describes as a feud and focus on building a new water treatment plant and water conservation.