AUSTIN, Texas — A new state-of-the-art project aims to revolutionize water use at the University of Texas at Austin.
The university is developing a 9,600-square-foot processing facility on campus that will allow it to decrease its water usage by an estimated 40%.
Dubbed the UT WaterHub, the facility will be the largest of its kind in the country once it’s completed. The facility is being developed with a Canadian-based water solution company, H2O Innovation.
“This transformational project further positions UT Austin as a national leader in resource management,” UT’s Xavier Rivera Marzán said. “The UT WaterHub will enable the university to be proactive, resilient and dynamic in our reclaimed and recovered water strategy.”
The facility will also use fewer chemicals and need fewer resources to treat wastewater. Not only will it allow the university to produce reclaimed water for its cooling towers and boilers, but it will also students and researchers to study water treatment and reuse technologies in real-world scenarios.
UT expects the WaterHub to reduce campus sewer capacity and reduction in sewer overflows by 70% while water use by 40%. Overall, UT expects the project to save millions of dollars over the next several years.
Officials said Austin Water is also aware of UT’s plans for the WaterHub and has partnered with the utility throughout the process. The university will continue to purchase and use reclaimed water provided by Austin Water.
The WaterHub will also include a greenhouse space with amenities to support tours and visitors. The project was approved in December 2024 with hopes of completion by late 2027.