CABLE SERVICE
Providers in Waco are Time-Warner Cable and Grande Communications.
ELECTRICITY SERVICE
Service providers are deregulated in Texas. For more information on competition among energy companies in Texas, call (866) 797-4839 or visit powertochoose.org, a Web site maintained by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Customers can compare electric rates and terms of service by entering their zip code. The PUC also gives consumers advice on searching for an electric power provider.
Chamber members providing electricity:
Oncor Electric Delivery
Residential (800) 242-9113
Business (800) 368-1728 |
McLennan County Electric Co-op
(254) 840-2871 |
NATURAL GAS SERVICE
Natural gas is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission, and rates are regulated by the cities. In Waco and many of the surrounding areas, the franchisee is ATMOS Energy, the nation’s largest natural gas utility. For more information: Texas Railroad Commission
ATMOS Energy
(800) 621-1867
TELEPHONE SERVICE
Service providers are deregulated. Fiber optics and high-capacity digital are available.
Local providers:
TRASH COLLECTION
Waco’s Solid Waste Services provides trash collection for residential and commercial customers. Wheeled containers hold 30, 65 or 90 gallons. The city also offers 35-gallon green carts for yard waste only. Blue carts collect paper for recycling. For more information, call (254) 299-2612.
WATER
Water is not in short supply in Waco thanks to the planning of early city leaders. Waco is one of few communities that has an adequate supply of water for the future. Waco’s lifestyle, economic development and daily needs are met with the impressive water supply, which also supports some of Central Texas’ most important businesses.
WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE
Waco’s business community continues to help maintain a high quality supply. To help with this effort, the City of Waco created a Water Task Force, which spurred other organizations like the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce’s Water Quality Committee. These efforts are dedicated to protecting the North Bosque River, Lake Waco and their source watershed.
The Water Quality Committee is in a continuous learning mode by attending presentations, reviewing Waco water quality reports and meeting with political representatives to learn about their efforts to improve Waco’s water.
When it comes to water quality and other issues pertaining to our quality of life, we create a vibrant community and make things better by caring.
Dr. Roland Goertz
Water Quality
Committee Chair |
| Water Facts |
| Service Provider: |
City of Waco |
| Source: |
Lake Waco |
| Size of Mains: |
2 to 42 inches |
| System Looped: |
Yes |
| Max. System Capacity: |
130 million gal./day |
| Avg. Daily Use: |
29.8 million gal./day |
| Max. Daily Use: |
53.5 million gal./day |
| Pressure on Mains: |
60 psi |
| Total Storage Capacity: |
26.3 billion gallons |
| Treated Storage Capacity: |
40 million gallons |
| Waco Water Rights: |
79,100 acre-feet of Lake Waco |
| Total Storage Lake Waco:* |
109,600 acre-feet |
| *Does not include conservation storage |
| Waste Water Services |
| Service Provider: |
City of Waco |
| Treatment Plant Type: |
Trickling filter |
| Max. Daily Use: |
59 million gal./day |
| Avg. Daily Use: |
24.7 million gal./day |
| Max. System Capacity: |
80 million gal./day |
LAKE WACO
Perhaps the most important part of Waco’s water supply is Lake Waco, which provides more than 70 million gallons of water for personal and business uses. Lake Waco is the city’s primary drinking water source and is a popular recreational landmark. The first Lake Waco Dam was finished in 1930 and was reconstructed in 1964 to accommodate Waco’s growing community. The dam also provides better flood control for the city and areas downstream of the Brazos River. |
|
| The Lake Waco Wetlands provide a natural filtering system for our water source. |
BAYLOR EXPERIMENTAL AQUATIC
RESEARCH FACILITY
Another important stride to maintain high water quality was made last September when the Baylor Experimental Aquatic Research (BEAR) facility opened.
Located at the Waco Wetlands, the BEAR facility will provide researchers a place to test complex water quality experiments, including contaminant studies, that could ultimately benefit the City of Waco and address the taste and odor issues.
Other recent developments have given Wacoans even more reason to appreciate Lake Waco as the City of Waco plans to build a $48 million filter system next fall that will produce high-quality and
better-tasting water.
As other communities struggle to provide water for their citizens, McLennan County residents can take pride in knowing that thoughtful plans put in place decades ago continue to develop to serve Wacoans today. |
