The Amarillo City Council has approved over $10 million to address urgent repairs and updates to the Hollywood Road Wastewater Treatment Facility, a system plagued by frequent malfunctions and aging infrastructure. The funds will be used to replace outdated equipment to ensure the plant remains in compliance with regulatory standards.
Last year, the facility spilled more than 100,000 gallons of wastewater due to flooding and failing systems. The plant’s head works system, responsible for removing trash and debris, is currently operating at just 50% capacity. Michael Price, Amarillo’s director of utilities, emphasized the importance of modernizing the plant to protect public health and the environment while accommodating the city’s growing population.
“Maintaining and replacing equipment at the end of its life is critical to providing reliable service to Amarillo’s citizens,” Price stated.
Mayor Cole Stanley noted the project is a stopgap measure to extend the plant’s lifespan over the next five years while a long-term solution is developed. Preliminary designs and a comprehensive wastewater master plan are underway for a new facility, which is expected to nearly double capacity and meet the city’s future needs.
The city is also pursuing federal grant funding to minimize costs for residents. Construction on the new facility is anticipated to start in summer 2025, though a completion date has not been set due to variables like weather and supply chain issues.
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