In the latest episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Marble Falls Mayor John Packer to discuss the city's ambitious plans for managing growth amidst the Texas Hill Country boom. The episode, recorded lakeside with construction in the background, zeroes in on one of the most forward-thinking water recycling initiatives in the region: direct potable reuse, often referred to as 'toilet-to-tap.'
Packer, a small business owner and returning mayor after a four-year break, frames water as the defining issue for Texas cities. 'If we draw over a million gallons of water outta the lake every day to make drinking water, and we produce roughly 800,000 gallons of wastewater, we can turn that 800,000 into at least 600,000 or 700,000 gallons of water. It's just a kind of a no-brainer,' he tells McKenzie. While acknowledging the concept 'makes people cringe a little bit,' Packer insists 'it's the future.'
The city's water plan comprises three prongs: Highland Lakes surface water, a newly purchased well water system, and direct potable reuse from a relocated wastewater plant. This strategy is designed to address the dual pressures of a booming population and persistent drought conditions west of the dry line. Packer's push for reuse is not just theoretical; it is part of a concrete plan that includes coordination with TxDOT, LCRA, TCEQ, and the county on key infrastructure projects like the 281 and 1431 intersection and the Highway 71 corridor.
The episode also delves into other aspects of Marble Falls' growth, including a new lakefront hotel conference center now under construction that aims to connect Main Street shops and restaurants to Lake Marble Falls. The city's Economic Development Corporation strategy largely avoids financial incentive packages, instead focusing on business retention and facade grants. Packer highlights quality-of-life investments such as a built beach along a lake that can flood 18 feet, expanded trails and sidewalks, a popular skate park, and a partnership in the One Water initiative tied to the new wastewater plant's purple pipe system.
The conversation surfaces the operational realities behind growth. Packer recounts how the July 4th flooding turned Lake Marble Falls into 'chocolate milk,' quadrupling treatment cycle times for weeks. He also notes that more than 35,000 vehicles cross through town daily on 281, a route stretching from Mexico to the northern United States, yet traffic nearly vanishes after 7 p.m., complicating TxDOT funding cases. These challenges underscore the need for innovative solutions like direct potable reuse.
The Marble Falls episode is available now on YouTube and wherever podcasts are heard. For more on the city's initiatives, visit the City of Marble Falls website. The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, travels the state interviewing the mayors, business owners, and civic leaders shaping Texas communities. Each episode highlights the people and projects building the future of Texas, from small Hill Country towns to major metros.
