New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) faced increasing capacity and reliability challenges at the Solms Wastewater Lift Station, a more than 30‑year‑old facility serving a growing service area in New Braunfels, Texas. Growth projections showed the station would soon be under‑sized, while aging equipment, problematic pump selection, and an inefficient piping configuration created ongoing maintenance issues. Compounding these challenges, the site sits within the 100‑year floodplain, raising concerns about access, resilience, and long‑term service reliability.

Merrick partnered with NBU to evaluate practical, cost‑effective solutions that would address immediate needs while supporting future system planning. Merrick performed a detailed site assessment and analyzed multiple alternatives, including gravity conveyance and full facility replacement. The team ultimately designed phased pump replacements to increase capacity to 2.8 million gallons per day (MGD) while improving operational reliability and flood resistance. Merrick provided project management, design, permitting, bidding, and construction phase services, coordinating closely with the City of New Braunfels, TCEQ, and NBU operations staff.

Through careful pump selection and targeted flood‑proofing improvements, the project delivers dependable interim performance while positioning the system for a future consolidated lift station to support long‑term growth.