Infrastructure Project of the Week: Upgrading Lake Nasworthy’s Sewer System
The Lake Nasworthy Sewer Improvement Project in San Angelo, Texas, is nearing completion, with approximately 95% of the pipeline work finalized and commissioning anticipated within the next 60 days. This initiative replaces an outdated and inefficient sewer system that previously relied on a single, uncased pipeline crossing the lake, supported by 26 lift stations and 106 grinders. The new infrastructure features two cased mains, enhancing reliability and minimizing environmental risks by providing redundancy and reducing the potential for sewage leaks. Additionally, the system’s capacity has been significantly increased from 500,000 gallons to 2.5 million gallons per day, accommodating future development around the lake and the nearby airport.
Beyond improving efficiency, the project lays the groundwork for broader regional benefits. The inclusion of a trunk main—a primary conduit—opens the possibility of extending sewer services to areas currently dependent on septic systems, potentially allowing for the decommissioning of six to eight lift stations. Financially, the project is supported by $11.5 million from the Lake Nasworthy Fund, as approved by voters in a 2019 special election, contributing to the total construction cost of $31.6 million. This funding also supports other quality-of-life enhancements at Lake Nasworthy, such as boat ramps, fishing piers, shoreline erosion control, and sandy beaches.
