A Detailed Analysis of the City of Amarillo Waste Water Facilities
Debunking the Political Lies of the Jason Herrick Campaign
Wastewater treatment facilities are critical infrastructures designed to operate effectively for approximately 40 to 50 years before necessitating significant upgrades or replacements. Amarillo’s Hollywood Road Wastewater Treatment Plant, constructed in the mid-1960s, has surpassed this typical lifespan, leading to operational challenges.
In June 2023, heavy rainfall caused overflows at this facility, resulting in approximately 85,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater discharging into Lake Tanglewood. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was notified and collaborated with the city to mitigate environmental impacts.
In response to these challenges, the Amarillo City Council approved over $10 million in December 2024 for immediate repairs to the Hollywood Road facility, aiming to extend its operational viability by five years and maintain regulatory compliance. Mayor Cole Stanley emphasized that these funds are intended solely for emergent repairs to prolong the plant’s lifespan.
Amid these developments, mayoral candidate Jason Herrick has criticized the current city administration, alleging that the TCEQ has threatened to shut down Amarillo’s community water system within five years due to neglect. However, there is no public record or statement from the TCEQ supporting this claim.
Furthermore, Herrick’s recent focus on infrastructure concerns contrasts with his prior support for previous city leadership, during which similar issues were not prominently addressed.
The city’s current efforts to address wastewater treatment challenges highlight a proactive approach to infrastructure management. While past administrations may have deferred necessary upgrades, the present council’s actions demonstrate a commitment to resolving longstanding issues and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Typical Lifespan of Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure
Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) components are engineered for long service lives, but they are subject to aging, wear, and environmental stress. Here’s a breakdown of expected lifespans for common infrastructure elements:
Component & Expected Lifespan
Concrete basins and structures: 50–75 years
Steel pipes and fittings: 25–50 years
Pumps and motors: 15–25 years
Control systems (SCADA, alarms): 10–15 years
Mechanical screens/grit removal: 15–25 years
Blowers and aeration systems: 15–20 years
Electrical panels and wiring: 20–30 years
Lift stations (if well-maintained): 25–40 years
Membrane/UV or other advanced systems: 10–20 years
Note: These timelines can be shorter in areas with:
High hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) corrosion
Frequent flooding or freeze-thaw cycles
Poor maintenance or deferred capital investment
What This Means in Practice
1. Infrastructure failures typically develop over decades, especially for large facilities like Amarillo’s.
2. Critical issues (e.g., pipe coupler failures, electrical alarms not functioning, clogged pumps) often arise when components approach or exceed their design life, or if maintenance is inconsistent.
3. If Amarillo’s Hollywood Road WRF and Cliffside Lift Station were built or heavily upgraded more than 20–30 years ago, it’s very plausible they are at or beyond key lifecycle thresholds—especially if capital reinvestment hasn’t kept pace.
4. TCEQ and EPA both recognize aging infrastructure as a national issue. That said, they also expect facilities to plan for aging and prevent permit violations, especially if previous spills signal risk.
Regulatory Expectation
If failures are due to:
Neglected upgrades
Inadequate inspection
Delayed maintenance despite visible aging
Then TCEQ typically considers them preventable and holds the permittee (the city) responsible—not as an accident, but as a foreseeable failure to act.
City of Amarillo Wastewater Treatment Facilities
The City of Amarillo operates two main wastewater treatment plants: the Hollywood Road Water Reclamation Facility (also called the South Plant) and the River Road Water Reclamation Facility (North Plant). Each has a long history of service and has undergone various upgrades to meet growing capacity needs and regulatory standards. Below is an overview of each facility’s original construction date and major improvements over time.
Hollywood Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility (South Plant)
Original Construction (Commissioning): The Hollywood Road facility was originally constructed and put into operation in the mid-1960s . Sources indicate it was built in 1965, with a designed treatment capacity of about 12 million gallons per day (MGD) . This plant is located on Amarillo’s south side and is the only facility in the area equipped to receive septic waste hauled from outside the sewer system . From the start, it provided secondary wastewater treatment for the growing south Amarillo population and industrial users.
Major Upgrades and Improvements: Over its ~60 years of operation, the Hollywood Road plant has required upgrades to expand capacity, replace aging equipment, and meet environmental regulations. Key improvements and milestones include:
• 1970s: Upgrades were made to ensure compliance with new Clean Water Act requirements for secondary treatment. By this time, the plant was fully treating sewage to mandated standards (e.g. removing 99% of BOD and ammonia) before discharge . These mid-century improvements allowed the facility to continue operating within regulatory compliance as Amarillo’s population grew. (Specific records of 1970s projects are not detailed in news sources, but the plant’s continued operation indicates ongoing investment during this period.)
• 1980s–2000s: The plant underwent routine rehabilitation of its infrastructure. This included maintenance of aeration systems, clarifiers, and effluent filters as they aged. No major capacity expansions were reported in this era (the design capacity remained ~12 MGD), but the city invested in keeping the plant functional. For example, city officials note that “ongoing maintenance and repair issues” at Hollywood Road have been a challenge over decades . Funding for these routine upgrades typically came from Amarillo’s water and sewer utility revenues or bond programs dedicated to utility infrastructure.
• 2010s: By the 2010s, the Hollywood Road facility’s equipment and structures were reaching end-of-life. City budgets from this period began earmarking significant funds for wastewater improvements. In a 2016 wastewater system plan, Amarillo identified over $38 million in needed updates, including upgrades at Hollywood Road (e.g. new lift stations and process improvements) . These plans were funded in part by low-interest loans from the Texas Water Development Board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund and by water/sewer revenue bonds.
• 2023 (Infrastructure Emergency): Historic rainfall and flooding in summer 2023 exposed the plant’s vulnerabilities. In September 2023, the Hollywood Road WRF experienced a series of overflows – nearly 1 million gallons of partially treated sewage spilled over three days due to flooding and outdated infrastructure . This crisis highlighted that the plant, located in a flood plain and built in 1965, had serious structural and capacity issues . In response, the city immediately allocated $17 million for emergency repairs and short-term upgrades to keep the plant functional . This work included removing accumulated sludge from the equalization basin, repairing damaged equipment (like influent bar screens and blowers), and renting temporary pumps and filter units . All emergency measures were funded through existing utility funds and approved by City Council in late 2023 .
• 2024 (Short-Term Rehabilitation): Throughout 2024, additional funds were directed to stabilize Hollywood Road while a long-term solution is planned. In November 2023, the City Council approved over $500,000 in emergency equipment rentals and parts for the plant (e.g. pumps, filters, sludge dewatering units) . In December 2024, another $10 million was approved to replace aging components and keep the plant in regulatory compliance for the next few years . These stop-gap investments are aimed at preventing further spills and maintaining treatment performance until a new facility can be built. All of these improvements have been funded by Amarillo’s water and sewer utility revenues (to avoid burdening taxpayers) , and the city is also seeking federal grants to offset costs .
• Planned Replacement (2025–2029): Recognizing the plant has “many infrastructure issues” and is beyond its intended lifespan , Amarillo has initiated plans to completely replace and expand the Hollywood Road facility. In August 2024, the City contracted with an engineering firm (Kimley-Horn) for a $5.9 million preliminary design and engineering study to evaluate options for updating or rebuilding the plant . The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) had mandated this planning after the city self-reported that Hollywood Road exceeded 75% of its permitted flow capacity . The new plant is expected to roughly double the capacity of the current one to accommodate future growth . City officials anticipate a new South Plant could be constructed within about 4–5 years (by 2028–2029) , pending design completion and securing funding. Mayor Cole Stanley noted they hope to secure grants so that costs “don’t go to our ratepayers” . In the meantime, the city remains focused on “maintaining compliance” at the aging facility until the replacement is operational .
River Road (North) Water Reclamation Facility (North Plant)
Original Construction (Commissioning): The River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant is Amarillo’s oldest sewage facility. It was originally constructed in 1927 , replacing earlier rudimentary sewage disposal methods with a dedicated treatment plant. Often called the “North Plant,” it is located north of the city near the banks of East Amarillo Creek. The original 1927 plant provided primary treatment of wastewater and served as Amarillo’s sole sewage treatment facility for many years. Over the ensuing decades, it has seen “numerous upgrades” and expansions , evolving into a modern water reclamation facility with a current capacity of 16 MGD . Treated effluent from River Road is released into East Amarillo Creek or reused for industrial cooling water, as detailed below.
Major Upgrades and Improvements: After opening in 1927, the River Road plant underwent continuous improvements to increase capacity, enhance treatment processes, and facilitate water reuse. Significant developments in its history include:
• Mid-20th Century Expansion: By the 1950s, Amarillo began pioneering industrial reuse of treated wastewater. In the mid-1950s, the River Road plant was upgraded to provide better-quality effluent for sale to a local Texaco oil refinery. This made Amarillo one of the first Texas cities to beneficially reuse wastewater. In 1960, the city further expanded reuse by supplying treated effluent from River Road to the Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS) for cooling water at power generation stations. (SPS, now part of Xcel Energy, operates power plants near Amarillo.) These initiatives required enhancements at the plant – including improving treatment from primary to secondary – to ensure the water was suitable for industrial use. Notably, an EPA report indicates Odessa’s similar reuse agreement in the 1950s prompted an upgrade from primary to secondary treatment, and Amarillo likely undertook comparable treatment improvements during this era. Funding for these mid-century expansions was supported by the revenue generated from selling reclaimed water to industry, reducing the burden on taxpayers.
• Secondary Treatment and Capacity Growth (1960s–1970s): By the late 1960s, the River Road facility had been retrofitted with full secondary treatment (e.g., biological treatment and clarification) to comply with emerging water quality standards. As Amarillo’s population grew and wastewater flows increased, the plant’s capacity was expanded through additional treatment units. For instance, new aeration basins and clarifiers were added, and the discharge was routed to the creek with improved quality. In this period, River Road’s capacity grew to roughly 8–11 MGD (by the 1970s), allowing it to handle the city’s base flows even as the South Plant (built in 1965) began taking some load. These upgrades were often funded by municipal bonds and state/federal grants available after the Clean Water Act, as well as ongoing reuse revenue. By 1972–1977, the plant met federal secondary treatment mandates for all discharged effluent.
• Industrial Reuse Expansion (1970s–1980s): The partnership with SPS/Xcel expanded significantly. By 1984, about half of Amarillo’s wastewater (from River Road) was being sold to SPS for cooling water at its power plants. To facilitate this, the city constructed pipelines and advanced treatment features to deliver large volumes of reclaimed water. The River Road facility was likely upgraded with filtration and cooling water conditioning processes to serve SPS’s Nichols and Harrington Stations. During this time, the plant’s effective capacity grew further (approaching the current 16 MGD, counting both discharge and reuse flows). These improvements were mutually beneficial – the power company obtained a reliable water source, and the city generated revenue and reduced surface discharge. Excess blowdown water from the power plants was even reused for irrigation by local farmers, demonstrating a robust reuse cycle in Amarillo.
• 1990s–2000s Modernization: In the late 20th and early 21st century, the River Road WRF continued to be modernized. Upgrades during this period included the rehabilitation of aging concrete tanks, the installation of new aeration equipment, and improvements to the disinfection system. By the 2000s, the plant had advanced controls and monitoring to optimize treatment efficiency. Its permitted capacity was incrementally raised to 16 MGD, reflecting added infrastructure. A major driver for these upgrades was the ongoing provision of water to Xcel Energy (formerly SPS) – currently, about 8.7 MGD of treated effluent from River Road is piped to the power plants for cooling. The remainder (roughly 7–8 MGD on average) is discharged into East Amarillo Creek in compliance with environmental permits. Throughout this era, funding came from utility revenue bonds and state assistance programs. For example, Amarillo has utilized the Texas Water Development Board’s funding programs for projects like pump station improvements. In 2018, the city received a $12.5 million TWDB loan/grant to build a new major lift station on South Osage Street, which improved the collection system feeding River Road. While that project was on the collection side, it highlights how state funding has supported Amarillo’s wastewater infrastructure.
• Recent Infrastructure Projects (2020s): Amarillo is now investing in projects to optimize flow distribution between the two plants and prepare for future expansion at River Road. In late 2023, the City Council approved a $71.3 million construction contract for the Northeast Interceptor sewer project. This project lays about 13 miles of large-diameter sewer pipeline to redirect wastewater from the fast-growing northeast and east areas of Amarillo directly to the River Road plant. Currently, that region’s sewage has to be pumped multiple times to reach the Hollywood Road plant, but the new gravity interceptor will send flows northward more efficiently. This not only extends service to new development areas but also helps balance the load between the two treatment facilities, taking pressure off the aging Hollywood Road plant. The River Road WRF has the available capacity to accept these additional flows, thanks to its past expansions. City leaders have noted that “at some point [we will] expand the River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant” as well, indicating that planning is underway to further increase its capacity in the future. Any such expansion would be a major capital project, likely funded through a combination of city utility funds and potential state/federal loans, similar to past projects.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Even as large projects move forward, the city continues regular maintenance and smaller upgrades at River Road. In late 2023, for example, the City Council approved funds for replacement parts that serve both plants (such as lab equipment and spare components). Unlike the Hollywood plant, River Road has not experienced catastrophic failures; however, it is nearly a century old and requires diligent upkeep. Amarillo’s City Manager underscored in 2024 that, after rebuilding the Hollywood plant, the city will need to focus on expanding/upgrading River Road next to meet long-term needs. This indicates the North Plant will see significant investment in the coming years to continue its reliable service.
Summary of Funding Sources: Historically, major upgrades at both facilities have been financed through utility revenue and bonds, often supplemented by state programs. Amarillo’s sale of reclaimed water to industry (Texaco, then Xcel) provided an innovative funding stream that helped pay for early expansions. More recently, the city has leveraged the Texas Water Development Board’s low-interest loans and federal infrastructure grants for costly projects. City planning documents (like capital improvement plans and master plans) repeatedly emphasize wastewater projects as a priority, ensuring that funding is allocated in annual budgets. Community approval (when needed for bond issues) and City Council actions have thus far supported the continuous modernization of these critical facilities.
TCEQ Enforcement in Amarillo’s Water & Wastewater Systems (2018–2025)
Drinking Water Compliance Issues (Public Water System)
The City of Amarillo’s public water system has generally met state and federal standards in recent years, with a Superior rating from TCEQ as of 2023. However, one notable compliance issue occurred with the 2021 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The city failed to include the required content (specifically data on arsenic and uranium levels) in the annual water quality report distributed in 2021. This omission violated TCEQ’s public notification rules, but it was corrected by including the missing information in subsequent reports. No fine was issued for the CCR content violation; the enforcement action was limited to a notice of violation and required corrective action (updating the report), which the city completed to return to compliance.
Wastewater Treatment Violations and Enforcement Actions
Hollywood Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF) Violations (2022–2023)
The Hollywood Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility in Amarillo, where flooding and infrastructure issues led to multiple unauthorized discharges of treated sewage.
• April 24, 2022 (Hollywood Road WRF) – A major spill of partially treated wastewater occurred at the city’s Hollywood Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility. An estimated 820,000 gallons of effluent overflowed the plant’s filters, meaning the discharged water did not meet TCEQ standards for total suspended solids. The release lasted for about four hours on April 24 and flowed into a nearby stream (River Falls in Randall County), potentially affecting Lake Tanglewood. City crews contained and disinfected the spill on site, and water quality testing was initiated. TCEQ was immediately notified of the incident and monitored the cleanup. This unauthorized discharge violated the facility’s discharge permit, but at the time, the city reported no monetary penalty; the focus was on remediation and preventing environmental harm. The case was handled as a compliance violation with TCEQ oversight, and no fine was assessed for this spill in 2022.
• June 1–2, 2023 (Hollywood Road WRF & Osage Lift) – Heavy rainfall in early June 2023 caused two wastewater overflows in Amarillo. At the Hollywood Road WRF, storm flooding inundated the plant, causing it to overflow into an onsite playa lake and release an estimated 85,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater to Lake Tanglewood. Around the same time, a sanitary sewer manhole on Osage Street overflowed due to rain, spilling about 50,000 gallons of raw (untreated) sewage into the environment. Both spills were fully contained and cleaned up by city crews within hours. TCEQ was notified of each overflow and worked with the city on environmental protection measures. These incidents also constituted unauthorized discharges under state law. No immediate fines were levied in the aftermath – by mid-2024, city officials confirmed they had not been fined for the June 2023 overflow, although TCEQ was aware of the violations. Instead, the agency conducted investigations and required the city to undertake improvements to prevent recurrences.
• September 20–22, 2023 (Hollywood Road WRF) – A more severe series of spills occurred at the Hollywood Road plant over three consecutive days. From Sept. 20 to Sept. 22, the facility experienced repeated equipment failures and flood-related overflows, resulting in a cumulative release of nearly 1 million gallons of partially treated sewage (approximately 275,000 gallons on Sept. 20, 525,955 gallons on Sept. 21, and 141,000 gallons on Sept. 22 ). All overflow was contained on facility property or adjacent playa lakes, but the discharges again exceeded permit limits. The city attributed these spills to decades-old infrastructure and a major flooding event that overwhelmed the plant. TCEQ was notified of the incidents and oversaw the city’s response, which included emergency repairs and accelerated plans for plant upgrades. Given the recurring violations at Hollywood Road WRF (in April 2022 and mid-to-late 2023), TCEQ initiated a formal enforcement action. In late 2024, the commission proposed an Agreed Order with a $44,625 fine against the City of Amarillo for “failing to prevent an unauthorized discharge of wastewater” from the Hollywood Road facility. This enforcement order (Docket No. 2024-0022-MWD-E) covers the permit violations related to the spills and requires the city to comply with corrective measures. As of October 2024, the order was published for public comment, and it was expected to be finalized by TCEQ afterward. (Notably, this is the first monetary penalty identified in the past seven years for Amarillo’s water/wastewater systems.) Resolution status: The city has been making infrastructure upgrades and has not yet paid a fine as of mid-2024. With the agreed penalty in the process by late 2024, Amarillo will likely pay the $44.6k fine upon finalization and continue improvements to bring the Hollywood Road WRF into full compliance.
Cliffside Lift Station Sewage Spills (2023–2024)
In addition to the issues at the treatment plant, Amarillo’s wastewater collection system saw significant spills at a major lift station. The Cliffside Lift Station (located at 7100 Cliffside Road, near Bishop Hills) experienced large unauthorized discharges of raw sewage on two occasions:
• December 12, 2023 (Cliffside Lift Station) – A mechanical failure (a broken pipe coupler) at the Cliffside lift station led to an overflow from a manhole, spilling approximately 1,026,000 gallons of untreated wastewater onto the ground. City crews responded quickly, vacuuming up the majority of the spillage and disinfecting the remainder with chlorine. The cleanup was completed the same day, and TCEQ was notified of the incident, coordinating with the city to minimize environmental impacts. This raw sewage spill is considered an unauthorized discharge under the Texas Water Code and the city’s wastewater permit. No fine was immediately issued for the December 2023 spill; TCEQ’s involvement focused on ensuring proper cleanup and assessing any environmental damage. The event is under review as part of the city’s compliance history, and any enforcement (if pursued) would likely be addressed in a future agreed order. As of early 2024, the city had not reported any penalties for this spill.
• September 16–17, 2024 (Cliffside Lift Station) – Another major overflow occurred at the same lift station about nine months later. Beginning the night of Sept. 16, 2024, and continuing into the next afternoon, roughly 945,000 gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged from the Cliffside station before the spill was stopped and contained. The cause was identified as a pump clogged by debris combined with an alarm system failure, which prevented early detection. City crews contained the sewage on site and carried out remediation and disinfection by Sept. 17 . TCEQ was promptly informed of the spill and the corrective actions taken by the city’s wastewater department. Like the previous incidents, this constituted a violation of state water quality laws (unauthorized discharge). Outcome: The September 2024 spill was contained without off-site contamination, and by the time of reporting, no fine or formal sanction had been announced specifically for this incident. It is likely that TCEQ will factor this overflow into Amarillo’s enforcement record. If additional penalties or orders are pursued for the Cliffside spills, they would come in a subsequent TCEQ action. For now, the city has addressed the mechanical issues at the lift station and improved monitoring to prevent future failures.
Summary of Fines and Resolutions
In summary, over the past seven years most enforcement actions in Amarillo involved corrective orders and oversight rather than financial penalties. The only fine explicitly identified in this period is the $44,625 penalty tied to the Hollywood Road wastewater permit violations in 2022–2023 . All other documented incidents (spills and reporting violations) were handled through containment, public notices, and TCEQ compliance directives without monetary fines. Notably, city officials confirmed no fines were issued for the 2023 sewage overflows as of mid-2024 . Instead, the City of Amarillo worked under TCEQ supervision to remediate each incident and invest in infrastructure improvements (e.g. $17 million allocated to the Hollywood Road plant upgrades ). The resolution status of each case is that the immediate violations were addressed (spills cleaned up, missing reports corrected) and longer-term fixes are in progress. Barring the pending Hollywood Road enforcement order, no other TCEQ fines or sanctions were formally imposed on Amarillo’s water or wastewater facilities in the 2018–2025 period. All sources indicate that Amarillo is cooperating with TCEQ to ensure compliance moving forward .
Sources: Official TCEQ Texas Register notices and city press releases were used to confirm the enforcement actions and volumes of spills. Local news outlets (ABC 7 Amarillo, NewsChannel10, Amarillo Globe-News) provided contemporaneous reporting on each spill and any public notifications. These sources corroborate that while several permit violations occurred (related to wastewater discharges and a reporting lapse), TCEQ’s enforcement in Amarillo over the last seven years has involved one financial penalty and multiple compliance orders, with all incidents now contained or resolved.
Direct Response to Jason Herrick’s False and Libelous Claims
In light of recent discussions concerning Amarillo’s wastewater treatment infrastructure, it’s essential to address claims made by mayoral candidate Jason Herrick. Herrick has asserted that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has mandated that Amarillo construct a new facility within five years or face the shutdown of its community water system. However, a thorough review of TCEQ’s public records and official communications reveals no evidence supporting this claim. While TCEQ has collaborated with the city to address compliance issues, there is no indication of an ultimatum threatening the shutdown of Amarillo’s water system.
Furthermore, Herrick has criticized Mayor Cole Stanley’s handling of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) following the discovery of a $750,000 wire transfer from the AEDC to The Range, a nonprofit organization led by Herrick. This transaction prompted an inquiry by the Amarillo City Council, leading to significant scrutiny and subsequent reforms within the AEDC. Herrick contends that these actions have harmed Amarillo’s reputation at the state level. However, it’s important to note that the council’s intervention aimed to ensure transparency and proper use of public funds within the AEDC. The necessity for such oversight was underscored by the fact that the transfer exceeded both the AEDC-approved line item budget and the City Council’s Consent Agenda approval, along with violations of AEDC bylaws and state laws, raising concerns about the absence of fiscal controls and adherence to legal requirements.
Additionally, Herrick’s sudden recent focus on infrastructure concerns is highly inconsistent with his prior support for previous city administrations who did not prioritize necessary upgrades to the city’s wastewater facilities. His current emphasis on these issues contrasts with his earlier paid endorsements of leadership that overlooked critical infrastructure needs. In contrast, the present city council has recognized the urgency of the situation, securing over $10 million in December 2024 for immediate repairs to the Hollywood Road facility to extend its operational viability and maintain regulatory compliance. This proactive approach underscores the council’s commitment to addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges and ensuring the city’s adherence to environmental standards.