Capital Improvement Projects Plan
Planning for the Future of New Braunfels
New Braunfels Utilities’ Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a strategic planning and budgeting tool that outlines major infrastructure investments over a five-year period. It bridges long-range system planning and annual operating budgets, ensuring responsible, phased investment in the essential services our community depends on.
As New Braunfels continues to grow, thoughtful, long-term planning is critical. NBU proactively invests in electric, water and wastewater infrastructure to maintain reliability, protect public health and support sustainable growth. Unlike routine operations and maintenance, capital improvement projects are multi-year initiatives that require significant design, engineering and construction and are typically financed due to their scale and cost.
The CIP includes projects that maintain, replace and expand critical systems to meet service standards and prepare for future demand. Some projects are visible — such as new substations, water lines or treatment facility expansions — while others occur behind the scenes, strengthening system performance, reducing risk and improving operational efficiency.
As a community-owned utility, every capital investment is made with long-term stewardship in mind. Our goal is to ensure growth pays for growth, infrastructure remains resilient, and essential services continue to serve New Braunfels today and for generations to come.
View a summary of planned investments and project categories in the pdf below.
Funding Reliability and Resilience
Long-term planning also focuses on preparing systems for extreme weather, aging infrastructure, and evolving regulatory standards. Capital projects help reduce outages, improve system redundancy, and strengthen resilience across electric, water, and wastewater operations.
These investments protect essential services and help ensure systems perform safely during both routine operations and emergency conditions.
How Projects Are Funded
Capital improvement projects are funded through a combination of utility rates, impact fees, financing and grants. Because NBU is community-owned and operates as a not-for-profit, every dollar collected is reinvested back into maintaining, improving and expanding the systems that serve our customers.
Utility rates help support ongoing infrastructure investment and system reliability. Impact fees — paid by new development — are used to offset the cost of expanding capacity so growth pays for growth. For large, multi-year projects, NBU may use bonds or other financing tools to spread costs responsibly over time, ensuring today’s customers are not solely burdened with long-term investments that will serve future generations.
All funding decisions are evaluated carefully to balance affordability, reliability and long-term stewardship of community resources.
Active Projects
Gruene Road Sewer Main Rehabilitation and Relocation
NBU is leading a critical, two-phase project to upgrade the main sewer line in Historic Gruene. This multi-million-dollar system upgrade is essential for ensuring reliable wastewater services to the Gruene Historic District.
This is an investment in Gruene’s future, benefiting everyone who lives in, works in or visits the area:
- For Future Growth: NBU is replacing the old 12-inch sewer main with a larger 18-inch main. This provides the capacity needed to serve the area today and the ability to handle the area’s growth for decades to come.
- For Improved Reliability: NBU is replacing old, cast-iron lines near the Guadalupe River. This prevents future pipe failures and keeps the entire system running smoothly.
- For Quality of Life: NBU is installing the new Odor Control Unit. This facility is specifically designed to eliminate those occasional, unwelcome odors in the downtown Gruene area.
- Project Update June 1, 2026: Due to weather-related delays, construction and associated traffic impacts have been extended and are now expected to continue through Friday, July 3. Thank you for your patience as we complete this infrastructure improvement project.
Traffic Impact Map: Sunday Night through Friday Morning (9pm-6am)
Neighborhood Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
The project will replace infrastructure that has decayed to a level that no longer meets service requirements. Construction of approximately 3,000 linear feet of 4-inch to 8-inch water main and approximately 3,800 linear feet of 8-inch wastewater main.
The project includes work along:
Timeline: June 8 through November 2026.
Customer Impacts:
- Single-lane shutdowns during installation of new water and wastewater mains
- No through traffic in active work zones
- Access to homes maintained at all times
- Minor temporary water service interruptions expected near the end of construction during waterline tie-ins and service switchovers