The Austin City Council unanimously approved a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) flood mitigation study during its regular meeting Monday evening.

The study will be carried out by Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) and will carry a cost of $54,800. Because Department of Natural Resources grant money does not cover studies, Public Works Director Steven Lang said the study will be funded by the Local Option Sales Tax.

According to Lang, the WWTP is currently protected by a levee system that was primarily constructed under emergency conditions to protect against floodwaters from the Cedar River. Due to the nature of the construction and lack of design for the existing system, Lang does not believe the existing system will meet the minimum FEMA requirements for accreditation unless it is modified or reconstructed.

SEH submitted the proposal for the study with the goal of developing a feasible flood mitigation system that protects the WWTP that can be constructed to meet the minimum FEMA requirements for accreditation without reducing the level of protection from the existing system.

According to Lang the work would include:

• Data collection and review;

• Evaluation of flood mitigation measures;

• Preliminary cost analysis;

• Drafting of a Feasibility Report; and

• Meeting with city staff for review.

Lang recommended the council approve the study.