Water and Wastewater Engineering Austin, Texas

What MES does in Austin

MES provides water and wastewater engineering for land developers and water districts in Austin and across Central Texas. We start with how a site will get water and sewer service. Then we design the lines, lift stations and permits to match.

When a site cannot reach a city sewer, we compare the paths side by side: extend to the city system, build a small treatment plant, reuse treated water, or use septic. We also provide site civil engineering and construction administration.

How permitting and review work in Austin

Austin Water decides how a site connects to city water, wastewater and reclaimed water. If the nearest line is more than 100 feet from your property, or cannot serve the project, you file a Service Extension Request (SER). The landowner or developer pays to design and build the improvements it calls for.

The City of Austin reviews site plans and subdivisions for land in the city. Septic (OSSF) permits come from the City of Austin inside the city and from Travis County in unincorporated areas. Sites near Lake Travis go to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) instead. See septic versus central sewer in Travis County.

Parts of the Austin area sit over the Edwards Aquifer. TCEQ's Edwards Aquifer rules (30 TAC Chapter 213) require an approved plan before regulated construction on the recharge, transition or contributing zones. See building in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.

TCEQ also issues the permit for any new wastewater plant, or a reuse authorization under its Chapter 210 rules.

Work near Austin

In Taylor, we secured TCEQ reuse authorizations for an industrial site and a business park after the county denied septic. In San Marcos, we secured the reuse authorization for a mixed-use data center development. In Martindale, we did the same for a mixed-use development.

We also handled rezoning, platting and site design for a mini-warehouse site in Georgetown, and a due diligence study for a site in Dripping Springs.

Common questions

When do I need an Austin Water SER?

When the nearest water, wastewater or reclaimed water line is more than 100 feet from your property, or the existing system cannot serve your project. File early, because the answer shapes the site plan.

Is my site over the Edwards Aquifer?

Check the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer map viewer, or ask us. If the site is in a regulated zone, clearing and construction usually need an approved TCEQ plan first. The rules differ by zone.

Can treated wastewater be reused instead of discharged?

In many cases, yes. TCEQ's Chapter 210 rules allow reclaimed water to be used for irrigation and other approved uses. See 210E authorizations.