The Austin City Council approved an amendment to the construction contract for the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion on March 12, 2026. The adjustment increases the contingency by $600 million, raising the total contract amount with MWH Constructors Inc. to $1.5 billion.1 This facility, which treats approximately half of the city's wastewater, will expand its capacity by 25 million gallons per day to reach 100 million gallons per day overall. The plant, originally opened in 1977 and last expanded in 2005, has frequently operated above 90 percent capacity.2
“It is definitely a generational project for the future of Austin,” said Charles Celauro, assistant director of engineering and technical services for Austin Water.
The cost escalation from a prior estimate of around $900 million stems from inflation and updated projections. Completion is anticipated by 2031, ensuring long-term wastewater management amid population growth. The approval also includes increasing a low-interest loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to $1 billion.1
Residential Groundbreaking
Trilogy Investment Company broke ground on REV3 at Walnut Creek, a 190-unit build-to-rent townhome community in Northeast Austin, with horizontal construction starting in March 2026. Located near Samsung’s semiconductor campus, the project features three-bedroom townhomes averaging 1,493 square feet and targets completion in late 2028, with leasing to begin in mid-2027.3
“REV3 at Walnut Creek represents a significant milestone for our team,” said Jason Joseph, CEO and Managing Partner of Trilogy Investment Company. “With major corporate expansion and sustained population gains, this corridor continues to demonstrate strong demand for quality housing.”
Recreation Center Milestone
In nearby Pflugerville, construction crews placed the final structural beam at The Monarch multigenerational recreation center in March 2026, advancing the voter-funded project in the Downtown East district.4 This development underscores ongoing commitments to community facilities amid regional expansion.
These large-scale projects highlight sustained investment in essential infrastructure and housing. As construction advances, they are poised to support professional opportunities in engineering, construction management, and related trades through 2028 and beyond, coinciding with nearby industrial growth such as Samsung’s operations.3 Upcoming phases include vertical construction for residential sites and final outfitting for the wastewater plant upgrades.
The content of this article was computed by analyzing available sources.