Ullrich Water Treatment Plant to Upgrade Safety Systems
The 840-day project will modernize disinfection technology at the West Austin site without interrupting service.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Utilities
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Residents in West Austin will see the decades-old Ullrich Water Treatment Plant transition to new, safer disinfection technology following a City Council vote. The project replaces hazardous chemicals currently stored at the 1969 facility with on-site generation systems.
Why it matters
The $89.7 million upgrade removes the need for bulk storage of gaseous chlorine and anhydrous ammonia at the city-owned site. The move aims to modernize utility safety, though the transition will occur while the plant remains in full operation for the next 840 days.
The city approved a $89.7 million contract for water plant upgrades, including $81.5 million for construction and an $8.1 million contingency fund. The project will take 840 days to complete at the plant, which has been in operation since 1969.
The players
Austin City Council
The local governing body responsible for overseeing city-owned utilities and approving major municipal contracts.
Ullrich Water Treatment Plant
A West Austin water utility facility commissioned in 1969 that is undergoing a multi-year safety and technology upgrade.
The details
The City Council approved the contract to replace traditional gaseous chlorine and anhydrous ammonia with sodium hypochlorite and liquid ammonium sulfate. Sodium hypochlorite will be generated on-site through the electrolysis of salt and water, while liquid ammonium sulfate will be stored in liquid form. The project includes a temporary storage and feed system to ensure operations continue uninterrupted during the multi-year transition.
Timeline
The Ullrich Water Treatment Plant began operations in 1969.
City Council authorized the disinfection project on October 22, 2026.
Construction crews have 840 days to complete the planned site upgrades.
The Texas Context
This project follows a broader trend of municipal utility upgrades across Texas aimed at replacing aging, hazardous chemical storage systems with modern alternatives. The transition at the Ullrich plant marks a significant shift in safety protocols for a facility commissioned in 1969.
Residents should not expect disruptions to their water service as the Ullrich plant will remain open during the 840-day transition period. The upgrade works toward eliminating the storage of bulk gaseous chlorine in the West Austin neighborhood.
The takeaway
The city is prioritizing long-term safety by moving to on-site chemical generation at one of its oldest treatment plants. Neighbors can follow the progress of this 840-day construction timeline through the City Council’s project updates.
Further reading
For more on how the city manages its infrastructure, visit Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
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