Abilene approves $41.4M for water treatment revamp

ABILENE – The Abilene City Council has approved $41.4 million for the Hamby Wastewater Treatment Plant renovation project. Construction will begin in December 2013, and completion is scheduled for May 2015, according to Tommy O’Brien, director of water utilities.

The city issued a $63.785 million bond — of which the approved $41.4 million is included — to rehab the Hamby Wastewater Treatment Plant. The bond will require debt service of $4.5 million a year for 25 years.

To complete the project, an additional $16 million to $26 million could be needed in a second certificate of obligation bond during summer 2014, which O’Brien said would cover any costs associated with the enhancements of other water treatment plants.