More than two decades after they started talking about it, the Austin City Council finally takes a vote on Water Treatment Plant No. 4.
"We can continue to study the study, or plan the plan or we can stand up and grow up and make a decision," Council Member Sheryl Cole said.
The decision, as expected was a close one. Council voted three against four in favor of starting construction.
"I just feel as though we have two aging plants and it's just time for us to be looking at the future," Council Member Randi Shade said.
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WTP4
News 8's Reagan Hackleman explains how much it's going cost you on your monthly water bill.
 
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If all goes according to schedule, the plant should go online by 2014. The plant will be built on city owned land at the corner of FM 620 and RR 2222.
Thursday's vote approved $3 million for construction of tunnels that would pump water out of Lake Travis.
Once the plant is done it will cost about $508 million.
"In 2014 once the project was completed, our water rates would go up, we estimate about 12 percent. That would be about $3 to $4 a month starting in 2014," Director of Austin Water Utility Greg Meszaros said.
That increase would stick around until the bonds are paid off, 30 years later.
"It is a gamble--not build this plant now--it's a gamble, and I for one will not roll the dice with the health and safety of the people of Austin," Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said.
For it, against it or even if you really don't care, two things are almost certain, your water bills will be going up and one Austin's most controversial public works projects will finally get underway.
