On February 12, 2020 Lakeway MUD (LMUD) unveiled the Lakeway Historical Marker that was recently installed at their district office, located at 1097 Lohmans Crossing. The event was attended by the MUD’s current Board of Directors members and department managers as well as select Lakeway staff, council members, and Heritage Committee members. Speakers included Board President Larry Burmeier, General Manager Earl Foster, Heritage Committee member Kay Andrews, and former Lakeway Mayor Steve Swan. The marker recognizes LMUD as one of the first MUDs in Texas, the first utility company in Lakeway, and the developer of one of the state’s first water reuse systems. The unveiling of the marker was a kickoff event to LMUD’s celebration of 48 years of service; a series of presentations on smart water usage are planned throughout the year. The Marker will also be added to the City’s annual Heritage Trail Tour.

The unveiling took place during the February 12, 2020 LMUD Board of Directors meeting. Foster and Burmeier opened the Unveiling’s agenda item by giving thanks to Andrews for initiating the marker as well as her many years of service as a Board member. The entire Lakeway Heritage Committee was thanked for the honor of being bestowed with a marker. Burmeier gave thanks to Foster and the rest of his staff for providing the community with clean drinking water, recognizing it as a commodity that should not be taken for granted since it is lacking in many parts of the world. Foster also recognized LMUD’s department managers for their hard work: Raf Mendoza, supervisor of the Water department, Roger Fry, supervisor of the Wastewater department, and Tommy Farrell, supervisor of the Field Maintenance department, who has been with LMUD since 1988; as such, Farrell has worked for LMUD under every general manager.

“The Heritage Committee is honored to add the Lakeway MUD Historic Marker to the official list of local historic sites.”

– Vickie Taylor, Chair, Lakeway Heritage Committee

Andrews spoke next. She focused on the time when she was on the LMUD Board and water was in short supply because regulations allowed too much water to be taken from Lake Travis for the rice farmers. She highlighted Bill Hawkins’, another Heritage Committee member in attendance, recent ViewPoints lecture on the formation of Lakeway and his interview with Foster regarding his work with spearheading the Highland Lakes Firm Water Cooperative. As a joint effort between many of the water providers around the Highland Lakes, the Cooperative, formed in 2012, brings firm water interests to the table during water planning discussions with the LCRA to help prevent water levels from dropping dangerously low again. Andrews said, “[Hawkins’ presentation] brought to the attention of the entire community all the good points of the MUD and really amplified our wonderful drinking water that we have here.”

“Thank you for turning this organization around into something truly special.”

– Steve Swan, Former Lakeway Mayor

Unable to attend, Vickie Taylor, Chair of the Heritage Committee later said in a statement to LMUD, “The Heritage Committee is honored to add the Lakeway MUD Historic Marker to the official list of local historic sites. The May 15 Heritage Trail Bus Tours will provide the first of many opportunities to tell the story of excellence of Lakeway MUD.”

Former Lakeway Mayor and current Heritage Committee member Steve Swan spoke next. As a resident of the area since the 1970s, he has seen Lakeway grow and change from a remote retirement community to what it is today. He thanked the current board and Foster for their work by stating, “I’ve had some interesting times with the MUD under different management. The City had a lot of difficulty working with the MUD. Since this group came in and took it over, it has been a delight for us citizens to work with the MUD. Earl has done a fabulous job taking away any of the City’s worries to do with the MUD. Thank you for turning this organization around into something truly special.”

LMUD’s Lakeway Historical Marker text was approved by the Lakeway Heritage Committee before being presented to the LMUD Board of Directors for approval on August 28, 2019. The approved text, as it appears on the cast iron plaque reads:

In 1971, there were 300 houses on 1,000 acres in Lakeway. Out of necessity and to safeguard Lake Travis from contamination, a committee was formed to manage wastewater needs and potable water services. On February 17, 1972 TCEQ approved the formation of “Lakeway Municipal Utility District No. 1” (soon after dropping the “No.1”) becoming one of the first MUDs in Texas and the first utility company in Lakeway. LMUD proceeded to make strategic infrastructure investments in the community including one of the state’s first innovative approaches to water conservation with a water reuse system to irrigate Lakeway’s golf courses, starting with Yaupon Golf Course in 1975. They went on to make history in 1994 by becoming the first water provider in Texas to utilize a water reuse system in a residential area: Estates of Lakeway Hills. In 1987, Lakeway’s iconic golf ball water tower was commissioned by LMUD out of the necessity to bring much needed additional water pressure to the growing community. This was the area’s second elevated water tower, built after a tower near the World of Tennis in 1973. To this day, LMUD continues to be recognized as a leader in water quality management, working closely with residents and the City of Lakeway to provide sustainable growth to the community by providing services that support environmental and public health initiatives.

LMUD’s Lakeway Historical Marker is now open to the public for viewing from their district office located at 1097 Lohmans Crossing. A series of presentations on smart water usage are planned throughout the year in celebration of LMUD’s 48 years of service. Information can be found on the LMUD website: www.lakewaymud.org/events .

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Media Coverage

Lake Travis View

Week of February 20, 2020

Making MUD history

The Lakeway Municipal Utility District unveiled a historical marker at its district office on Feb. 12. The marker recognized Lakeway MUD as one of the first municipal utility districts in Texas, the first utility company in Lakeway, and the developer of one of the state’s first reuse water systems. The unveiling was a kickoff to the district’s celebration of 48 years of service. Presentations on smart water usage are planned throughout the year. Pictured are district general manager Earl Foster, left, along with members of the MUD board and Kay Andrews, member of the Heritage Committee and former MUD board member. [Photos Courtesy William Hawkins]

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The Lake Way

February 14, 2020

LMUD Receives Historical Marker

On Wednesday, February 12, the Lakeway Municipal Utility District (LMUD) was honored during a special ceremony with a historical marker from the Lakeway Heritage Comittee at the LMUD location on 1097 Lohmans Crossing Road for their 48 years of providing service to residents of Lakeway. Since 1972, LMUD has provided water and wastewater services initially from 300 to now over 10,000 residents and business owners in the Lakeway community. This includes mainetnance of extensive water infrastricture, including Lakeway’s iconic golf ball water tower. LMUD is celebrating their 48th anniversary throughout the year with a series of events aimed towards helpiong the community learn about smart water usage. A full list of LMUD events can be found on their websiteL www.lakewaymud.org/events.

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