Water

Water is a precious commodity; it's been called the economic fuel of the 21st century. And in Waco, we have an ample supply right in our backyard. The city's primary water source, Lake Waco, provided 31,000 acre-feet of drinking water allotment to the citizens and businesses of Waco and the surrounding communities in 2000. But that's just a fraction of the water available from the lake.

Indeed, the Waco municipal water supply, with a capacity of twice the annual demand, is the envy of many cities. They city completed the Lake Waco Pool Rise in September 2003 that raised the level of the lake by seven feet, ensuring an abundant supply for many decades to come.

Waco operates two water treatment plants, which meet all current standards required by the state or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Monitoring for about 90 different contaminants, the city has its own full scale laboratory. For a water quality report, check the city's web site at www.waco-texas.com

The City of Waco operates and maintains a low-water dam on the Brazos River downstream from the downtown area and from Baylor's Ferrell Center. The dam was built in 1969 to provide a town lake atmosphere throughout downtown Waco. Currently, the City is working to complete plans on replacing the current structure with a new dam that will provide more reliable service for the next 50 years. The new dam is scheduled for completion in 2007.

Wastewater

Wastewater collection services are provided by the City of Waco. Through effective maintenance activities, city staff ensure that wastewater leaving homes and businesses is transported safely to the Brazos River Authority (BRA) wastewater treatment plant. BRA operates the Waco Metropolitan Area Regional Sewerage System and has the capacity to process more than 80 million gallons per day.

Solid Waste

The City of Waco landfill is classified as a Type 1 Municipal, regional landfill and has ample capacity to meet waste disposal needs of citizens and businesses for decades to come. The landfill accepts Class 2 and Class 3 industrial waste. Several locally licensed haulers contract to handle hazardous waste for industrial employers.

While the city collects residential waste, private collection services are used by business and industry. Curbside recycling of paper waste is available throughout the city, and several companies offer recycling of other materials.

Utilities

In the mid 1990s, TU Electric and Lone Star Gas companies - who had been Waco's main power providers for more than 80 years - merged to become TXU Electric and Gas Company. A proven leader in the energy industry, TXU is among the top 10 energy companies in the world, serving 11 million customers worldwide. TXU is a global leader in electricity and natural gas services, merchant energy trading, energy marketing, telecommunications, and other energy-related services.

As of January 1, 2002, Texas' electric industry opened to customer choice, giving businesses and individuals the power to choose their electrical provider. The "Electric Choice" program offers greater control over energy providers and should lower the price of electricity over time since Texas is one of the most attractive power markets in the country for new investment. (Forty-seven new power plants were built or planned in Texas between 1995 and 2001; that's almost one-fourth of all power plants built or planned in the nation.)

Broadband

Waco is served by two fiber-optic broadband networks, Time Warner and ClearSource. Service by two providers is a rarity in a city the size of Waco and indicates the city's commitment to providing the infrastructure needed for leading-edge technological capabilities requiring speed and capacity. By enabling such business applications as streaming video, business-to-business portals, data storage, and videoconferencing, broadband capacity is a must for any city.

Transportation

Flying into and out of Waco is easy, since American Eagle connects to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport with several flights each day.

Waco Regional Airport offers amenities such as free parking, and on-site concierge to answer calls about flight status, schedules, luggage, or other needs. The airport offers four rental car companies, a cafe, and private plane services such as charter flights, flight instruction, gasoline, and hangar facilities.

Central Texas Trailways and Greyhound Trailways bus lines both serve the Waco area through Waco's newly constructed Intermodal Transportation Center. Combined, the two companies dispatch 19 buses from the terminal each day.

Local city buses operate out of the same station and provide safe and reliable public transportation. Services include fixed-route bus services within the city, the Baylor Bears Campus Express, and van service for individuals with disabilities.

Several private taxi, van, and limousine services also oprate in Waco.

Rail service in Waco is provided by the Union Pacific Railroad, which offers service to all industrial areas.

Almost two dozen motor freight carriers serve the needs of Waco industry. With an overnight radius of 400 miles, freight carriers can each any of the 32 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the Southwest in a day. Waco is also home to the state's largest motor freight company, Central Freight Lines.