Future-Proofing a Suburb: Inside Lewisville's Wastewater Expansion

LEWISVILLE, TX – June 30, 2026 – In the rapidly expanding suburbs of North Texas, growth is visible everywhere—in new housing developments, bustling retail centers, and ever-busier highways. But the most critical infrastructure supporting this boom often lies unseen and uncelebrated. The City of Lewisville is now making a major investment in this hidden foundation, awarding a contract to Crescent Constructors, an affiliate of the century-old Zachry Construction Corporation, for a significant expansion of its Prairie Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

This project isn't just a routine upgrade. It's a strategic response to a population surge that is testing the limits of the city's essential services. The expansion will increase the plant's treatment capacity by a third, from 12 million gallons per day (MGD) to 16 MGD, laying the groundwork for a future that promises even more growth.

Keeping Pace with a Booming Community

For cities like Lewisville, proactive infrastructure planning is not a luxury; it's a necessity. The city's population has climbed from just under 112,000 in 2020 to an estimated 141,000 today, an intense growth spurt fueled in part by the 2021 annexation of the large Castle Hills development. This influx added a staggering 30% to the city's customer accounts in just five years, placing immense pressure on its utility systems.

Public records show the Prairie Creek plant is already operating at or above 75% of its permitted capacity—a critical threshold that signals an urgent need for expansion. Without it, the city would face potential service disruptions and a ceiling on future development. A recent S&P Global report underscored this reality, identifying the city's sewer capacity as a primary credit risk, while also noting the city's proactive funding for the expansion.

"As Lewisville continues to grow, investing in critical infrastructure is essential to maintaining the high level of service our residents and businesses depend on," said Aaron Russell, the city's director of public works. "The Prairie Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion is a strategic investment in our community's future, increasing system capacity, enhancing reliability, and ensuring we are prepared to meet the needs of a growing city for decades to come."

The project represents the first phase of a long-term vision to ultimately bring the plant's capacity to 20 MGD, a figure officials believe will secure reliable wastewater service for at least the next 20 years, allowing Lewisville to continue its trajectory as a desirable destination for families and businesses.

A Strategic Dive into Water Infrastructure

The project also marks a significant milestone for San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Corporation. By securing this contract through its affiliate, Crescent Constructors, the company is solidifying its strategic expansion into the burgeoning water and wastewater infrastructure market—a sector critical to the sustainability of fast-growing regions across the Sun Belt.

Zachry, a construction giant with over a century of experience in large-scale projects, affiliated with the Plano-based Crescent Constructors in 2025. The move was a deliberate one, designed to integrate Crescent's specialized expertise in complex municipal water systems with Zachry's vast resources and regional footprint. This Lewisville project is a prime example of that synergy in action.

"Reliable wastewater infrastructure is essential to how growing communities plan for the future," noted Ryan Glanz, vice president of Crescent Constructors. "We appreciate the opportunity to support the city of Lewisville as it invests in dependable service for residents, businesses and future development."

This partnership allows the combined entity to tackle the increasingly complex public-sector infrastructure needs of North Texas. As municipalities face the dual challenges of aging systems and unprecedented population growth, specialized teams that can navigate both the technical and logistical hurdles of these projects are in high demand. This project positions the Zachry-Crescent team as a key player in a market defined by urgent public need and long-term investment.

The Art of Open-Heart Surgery on Infrastructure

Expanding a wastewater treatment plant is not as simple as building a new wing on a factory. The work at Prairie Creek is more akin to performing open-heart surgery, as the entire facility must remain fully operational throughout the multi-year construction process. Every day, millions of gallons of wastewater will continue to flow into the plant, requiring treatment and processing without interruption.

This presents a formidable logistical challenge. The project scope is extensive: it involves demolishing an older section of the plant to make way for a larger aeration basin—where microbes are used to break down organic matter—and constructing an entirely new blower building to support the process. Simultaneously, crews will rehabilitate existing headworks (where initial screening occurs), other aeration basins, and the sludge processing building, along with a web of interconnected pipes, electrical systems, and control panels.

Crescent's team will have to execute this complex dance through carefully phased construction. Activities will be meticulously planned to sequence shutdowns, integrate new electrical and control systems, and coordinate with a host of suppliers and city operators. Any misstep could risk disrupting service for thousands of residents. The delicate process is a testament to the advanced planning and engineering precision required for modern infrastructure renewal.

Scheduled for completion in November 2028, the upgraded facility will not only handle more volume but will also incorporate modern, more efficient technologies. It’s an investment that pays dividends not just in capacity, but in the long-term reliability and sustainability of one of the most essential public services.