Reuse in McKinney Roughs Nature Park

Environmentally Responsible Water Reuse

The McKinney Roughs Nature Park, situated in a rapidly developing region just outside Austin, Texas, faced a critical challenge; its existing 0.25 MGD wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was insufficient to meet the demands of planned residential growth and a new school. Corix Utilities (Nexus Water), the plant’s owner and operator, needed to significantly expand capacity to 0.75 MGD while adhering to stringent effluent limits due to direct discharge into the Lower Colorado River, a vital source of drinking water and aquifer replenishment.

Challenges Faced:

Tripled the wastewater treatment plant’s capacity from 0.25 MGD to 0.75 MGD to support local development.
Met strict effluent limits for wastewater discharged into the Lower Colorado River to protect aquatic life and downstream drinking water.
Managed the project within a demanding schedule and strict budget.

Solutions Implemented:

Managed the project from start to finish, handling everything from permitting and design to construction and start-up of the initial 0.25 MGD expansion.
Partnered with CROM to integrate the first-ever MBR system using their CROM² tank, which was a more innovative solution than traditional concrete systems.

Outcome and Impact:

IWS partnered with CROM with their CROM2 tank technology to deliver the plant faster and more cost-effectively than conventional methods.
The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, leading to high customer satisfaction and repeat business from Corix.
The upgraded plant consistently produced high-quality effluent that met all environmental standards, allowing the water to be safely reused for irrigation or discharged into the Lower Colorado River without negative environmental impacts.

Key components of the treatment system include:

EQ Zone
Anoxic Zone
MBR Zone
Aerated Zone
CROM² Tank

Through an integrated approach and innovative technology, the McKinney Roughs Nature Park wastewater treatment plant successfully expanded its capacity while setting a new standard for efficient, environmentally responsible water management in a rapidly growing region.