In the late 1980s the LCRA Board directed staff to respond to water and wastewater utility needs in the region and, in doing so, to protect public health and water quality, while providing a valuable service to the basin's communities.

In 1992 LCRA began providing wholesale water and wastewater service, and in 1998 began providing retail service to customers of the Lake Buchanan system at the request of the local water supply corporation. Other retail opportunities quickly followed as other communities requested LCRA's help.

Today LCRA owns or operates about 40 water and wastewater utility systems. In total LCRA serves about 190,000 people in 11 counties. See map of existing water and wastewater facilities.

Protect health and water quality, strengthen communities
LCRA's goal is to become the regional provider of choice of excellent water and wastewater utility services at a reasonable price. LCRA is committed to this goal to:

• Protect public health. LCRA can protect public health by improving drinking water quality and reliability and by eliminating potential threats such as reliance on radioactive groundwater and overloaded wastewater plants.
• Protect water quality. LCRA can protect water quality in the Highland Lakes, Colorado River, tributaries and estuaries with regional wastewater treatment systems that meet or exceed environmental standards.
• Invest in the region's economic viability. LCRA can provide utilities to serve industrial, commercial and residential development in rural and suburban communities in our service area.

-- Updated Aug. 2, 2006