AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE December 3, 2024 --12:00pm Hybrid Regular Called Meeting Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. The first 10 speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns not on the agenda. To register, contact Emily Rafferty at emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, item number(s) they wish to speak on if applicable, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Voting Members: Bill Moriarty Sarah Faust Hani Michel Perry Lorenz Madelline Mathis Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Vanessa Puig-Williams Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Office of Innovation: Daniel Culotta Office of Sustainability: Zach Baumer Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Ramesh Swaminathan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Special Called Task Force meeting on November 4, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS ACTION ITEMS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 2. Report out on Water Forward 2024 Plan, Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan Council consideration outcomes 3. Review and approve the 2025 Water Forward Task Force meeting schedule ADJOURN The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Liaison, Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact …
1 Report out on Water Forward 2024 Plan, Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan Council consideration outcomes 12/3/24 Summary The Water Forward 2024, Water Conservation, and Drought Contingency Plans were recommended for Council approval by the Water Forward Task Force, Austin Water Oversight Committee of Council, Water and Wastewater Commission, and Resource Management Commission The plans were approved by Council on November 21, 2024 11/4 Water Forward Task Force 3 • Recommended on a 9-0 vote with Member Lorenz absent, with edits as Water Forward 2024 Plan noted in the meeting minutes Water Conservation Plan • Recommended on a 7-1 vote with Member Moriarty voting no and Members Lorenz and Faust absent, with edits as noted in the meeting minutes Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on an 8-0 vote with Members Lorenz and Faust absent 4 11/12 Council’s Austin Water Oversight Committee Water Forward 2024 Plan • Recommended on a 3-0 vote with Mayor Watson absent Water Conservation Plan • Recommended on a 3-0 vote with Mayor Watson absent Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on a 3-0 vote with Mayor Watson absent 11/13 Water & Wastewater Commission 5 • Recommended on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Musgrove, Moriarty and Water Forward 2024 Plan Vice Chair Maxwell-Gaines absent Water Conservation Plan Vice Chair Maxwell-Gaines absent Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Musgrove, Moriarty and • Recommended on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Musgrove, Moriarty and Vice Chair Maxwell-Gaines absent 6 11/19 Resource Management Commission • Recommended on an 8-0 vote, with Chair Stone and Commissioner Water Conservation Plan Silverstein absent Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on an 8-0 vote, with Chair Stone and Commissioner Silverstein absent 11/21 Council Meeting 7 Item 3: Water Forward 2024 Plan • Approved on an 11-0 vote Item 4: Water Conservation Plan • Approved as amended on an 11-0 vote Item 5: Drought Contingency Plan • Approved on an 11-0 vote Item 6: Chapter 6-4 (Water Conservation) Code Changes • Approved on an 11-0 vote 11/21 Council – WCP Amendments 8 WCP, Table 13: Five and Ten-Year Goals for Water Use CM Ryan Alter Motion 1 (included changes to plan language) Amended WCP GPCD goals to 119 in 2029 and 112 in 2034, pp. 6, 28, 31 • Vote to approve CM Ryan …
Item 3 - Review and approve the 2025 Water Forward Task Force meeting schedule 2025 Proposed Meeting Dates • February 11, 2025 • April 8, 2025 • June 10, 2025 • August 12, 2025 • October 14, 2025 • December 9, 2025 *All meetings are scheduled on Tuesdays from 12-2pm at Waller Creek Center
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE November 4, 2024 --12:00pm Hybrid Special Called Meeting Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. The first 10 speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns not on the agenda. To register, contact Emily Rafferty at emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, item number(s) they wish to speak on if applicable, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Voting Members: Bill Moriarty Sarah Faust Hani Michel Perry Lorenz Madelline Mathis Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Vanessa Puig-Williams Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Office of Innovation: Daniel Culotta Office of Sustainability: Zach Baumer Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Ramesh Swaminathan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Special Called Task Force meeting on October 28, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion of revisions to the Water Forward 2024 Plan, Water Conservation Plan, and Drought Contingency Plan reports 3. Recommend approval of Water Forward 2024, Austin’s Integrated Water Resource Plan 4. Recommend approval of the revised Water Conservation Plan 5. Recommend approval of the revised Drought Contingency Plan FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURN The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Liaison, Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay …
CITY OF AUSTIN DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC § 288.20 and § 288.22 Water Conservation Division City of Austin, Texas PWS # 2270001 November 21, 2024 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Table of Contents SECTION I: DECLARATION OF POLICY, PURPOSE, AND INTENT ..................................................................... 2 SECTION II: BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 2 SECTION III: TRIGGER CONDITIONS AND GOALS ............................................................................................... 7 SECTION IV: DROUGHT RESPONSE MEASURES .............................................................................................. 11 SECTION V: WHOLESALE CONTRACT PROVISIONS ........................................................................................ 22 SECTION VI: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT................................................................................................................... 23 SECTION VII: PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND EDUCATION................................................................................... 23 SECTION VIII: COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING GROUPS (RPG)............................................... 24 SECTION IX: TCEQ NOTIFICATION ...................................................................................................................... 24 SECTION X: PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATES ........................................................................................................ 24 APPENDIX A: WATER CONSERVATION CODE ................................................................................................... 25 APPENDIX B: WATER CONSERVATION PENALTY CODE ................................................................................. 26 APPENDIX C: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN .................................. 34 APPENDIX D: TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP .................................................... 35 Page 1 of 36 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Section I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent The City of Austin (the City) maintains a decades-long commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply through demand management measures. The latest update to Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan) builds upon this legacy. This iteration of the Plan retains all measures from previous versions while incorporating new strategies to better address droughts in the future. Designed as a comprehensive strategy, the Plan focuses on addressing water shortages and emergencies, with specific attention to domestic water use, sanitation, fire protection, and public well- being. In accordance with Section 11.1272 of the Texas Water Code and Chapter 288 of Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, the City regularly updates this plan, underscoring the importance of adaptability to evolving water supply dynamics. This document outlines the City's strategic response to challenges posed by demand surges, infrastructure constraints, and droughts, including historical critical droughts. Through coordination with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the Drought Contingency Plans of both the LCRA and the City are consistent in terms of targets and goals. The City’s plan is more proactive, including the implementation activities necessary to conserve water. Detailed within the regulatory framework of the City of Austin’s Municipal Code, the Water Conservation Code (updated in conjunction with this plan in May and November 2024) forms an integral part of our proactive water management actions. This Drought Contingency Plan serves not only to fulfill regulatory mandates but …
CITY OF AUSTIN DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC § 288.20 and § 288.22 Water Conservation Division City of Austin, Texas PWS # 2270001 DRAFT - November 21, 2024 - DRAFT City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Table of Contents SECTION I: DECLARATION OF POLICY, PURPOSE, AND INTENT ..................................................................... 2 SECTION II: BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 2 SECTION III: TRIGGER CONDITIONS AND GOALS ............................................................................................... 7 SECTION IV: DROUGHT RESPONSE MEASURES .............................................................................................. 10 SECTION V: WHOLESALE CONTRACT PROVISIONS ........................................................................................ 21 SECTION VI: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ................................................................................................................... 21 SECTION VII: PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND EDUCATION ................................................................................... 22 SECTION VIII: COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING GROUPS (RPG)............................................... 22 SECTION IX: TCEQ NOTIFICATION ...................................................................................................................... 22 SECTION X: PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATES ........................................................................................................ 23 APPENDIX A: WATER CONSERVATION CODE ................................................................................................... 24 APPENDIX B: WATER CONSERVATION PENALTY CODE ................................................................................. 25 APPENDIX C: RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF ADOPTION OF THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN ...... 26 APPENDIX D: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN .................................. 27 APPENDIX E: TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP ..................................................... 28 APPENDIX F: PUBLIC RESPONSE TO NOVEMBER 2023 SURVEY .................................................................. 29 SECTION I: DECLARATION OF POLICY, PURPOSE, AND INTENT ..................................................................... 3 SECTION II: BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 3 SECTION III: TRIGGER CONDITIONS AND GOALS ............................................................................................... 9 SECTION IV: DROUGHT RESPONSE MEASURES .............................................................................................. 11 SECTION V: WHOLESALE CONTRACT PROVISIONS ........................................................................................ 26 SECTION VI: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ................................................................................................................... 27 SECTION VII: PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND EDUCATION ................................................................................... 27 SECTION VIII: COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING GROUPS (RPG)............................................... 28 Page 1 of 52 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan SECTION IX: TCEQ NOTIFICATION ...................................................................................................................... 28 SECTION X: PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATES ........................................................................................................ 29 APPENDIX A: WATER CONSERVATION CODE ................................................................................................... 30 APPENDIX B: WATER CONSERVATION PENALTY CODE ................................................................................. 31 APPENDIX C: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN .................................. 34 APPENDIX D: TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP .................................................... 43 Page 2 of 52 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Section I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent The City of Austin (the City) maintains a decades-long commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply through demand management measures. The latest update to Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan) builds upon this legacy. This iteration of the Plan retains all measures from previous versions while incorporating new strategies to better address droughts in the future. Designed as a comprehensive strategy, the Plan focuses on addressing water shortages and emergencies, with specific attention to domestic water use, sanitation, fire protection, and public well- …
Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile CITY OF AUSTIN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC §288.2 and §288.5 November 21, 2024 Page 1 of 61 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Message from the Director Thank you for your interest in Austin’s most precious natural resource: water. The city was founded in the mid-1800s on the banks of the Colorado River to take advantage of that abundant water resource. Our water supply is just as critical today, but now we face unprecedented challenges: record high temperatures, record low flows into the Highland Lakes, water quality concerns, and continued rapid population growth. Together, we can meet these challenges. The City of Austin’s 100-year Water Forward Integrated Water Resources Plan is focused on water conservation and water use efficiency, as well as strategies to strengthen the diversity of Austin’s water supply. Austin has come a long way over the last decade – in 2023, we used essentially the same amount of water as we did in 2011, despite having 140,000 more residents. But the impacts from climate change require us to become even more water-wise and water-efficient. The update of this Water Conservation Plan is required by the State of Texas every five years to provide short-term strategies to address changing conditions. While Austin Water completed the required plan update in May 2024, we are now providing this November 2024 update to incorporate additional water conservation strategies. Even more importantly, the update is a necessary part of the city’s future sustainability. This document describes Austin Water’s conservation initiatives, programs, and projects to help residents and businesses increase their water use efficiency. In addition, it describes how Austin Water is maximizing our water supply from the Highland Lakes through conservation and water reuse. Learn more about what you can do to conserve our most precious resource at AustinWater.org. Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. Austin Water Director Page 2 of 61 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Table of Contents Message from the Director ...................................................................................................... 2 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 4 Conservation Program History ................................................................................................ 7 Public Education and Information ........................................................................................... 9 Residential Customer Programs ........................................................................................... 11 Regulatory Programs ............................................................................................................. 18 Metering and Water Loss ....................................................................................................... 21 Water Reuse............................................................................................................................ 24 Water Rates ............................................................................................................................ 27 Goals for Water Use and Water Loss .................................................................................... 29 Future Water Use and Loss Activities ................................................................................... 32 Utility Profile ........................................................................................................................... 42 System Data ............................................................................................................................ 47 Appendix A. …
Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile CITY OF AUSTIN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC §288.2 and §288.5 DRAFT - November 21, 2024 - DRAFT Page 1 of 69 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Message from the Director Thank you for your interest in Austin’s most precious natural resource: water. The city was founded in the mid-1800s on the banks of the Colorado River to take advantage of that abundant water resource. Our water supply is just as critical today, but now we face unprecedented challenges: record high temperatures, record low flows into the Highland Lakes, water quality concerns, and continued rapid population growth. Together, we can meet these challenges. The City of Austin’s 100-year Water Forward Integrated Water Resources Plan is focused on water conservation and water use efficiency, as well as strategies to strengthen the diversity of Austin’s water supply. Austin has come a long way over the last decade – in 2023, we used essentially the same amount of water as we did in 2011, despite having 140,000 more residents. But the impacts from climate change require us to become even more water-wise and water-efficient. The update of this Water Conservation Plan is required by the State of Texas every five years to provide short-term strategies to address changing conditions. While Austin Water completed the required plan update in May 2024, we are now providing this November 2024 update to incorporate additional water conservation strategies. Even more importantly, the update is a necessary part of the city’s future sustainability. This document describes Austin Water’s conservation initiatives, programs, and projects to help residents and businesses increase their water use efficiency. In addition, it describes how Austin Water is maximizing our water supply from the Highland Lakes through conservation and water reuse. Learn more about what you can do to conserve our most precious resource at AustinWater.org. Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. Austin Water Director Page 2 of 69 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Table of Contents Message from the Director ........................................................................................................ 2 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 4 Conservation Program History ................................................................................................. 6 Public Education and Information ............................................................................................ 8 Residential Customer Programs ............................................................................................. 10 Regulatory Programs ............................................................................................................... 17 Metering and Water Loss ......................................................................................................... 20 Water Reuse .............................................................................................................................. 23 Water Rates ............................................................................................................................... 26 Goals for Water Use and Water Loss ..................................................................................... 28 Future Water Use and Loss Activities .................................................................................... 31 Utility Profile ............................................................................................................................. 40 System …
Drought Contingency Plan – Documentation of edits after the October 28 Water Forward Task Force meeting (10-21-2024 to 10-31-2024 versions) Edit Location (clean copy) Various locations Page 8, Table 2 Page 17, Outdoor Restrictions table Page 11, 14, 16, 18 – Exemption #8 Page 18, Variances Appendix B. Water Conservation Penalty Code Appendix C. Resolutions in support of adoption of the Drought Contingency Plan Appendix F. Public Response to November 2023 Survey Nature of Edits Unsubstantial formatting edits to the table of contents, table headers, page breaks, and minor textual edits. Edited the trigger text, adding “or more” after “300 MGD” and “320 MGD” (WFTF recommendation) Added “on page 19” to specify the locations of definitions for functional and nonfunctional turf. (WFTF recommendation) Clarification of the use of water for new landscaping to meet permit requirements. Removed the variance from watering restrictions for new xeriscape landscape in Stage 4 to be consistent with current code. Add current City Code, Chapter 2-13 Appendix is deleted because commissions do not adopt resolutions. Appendix is deleted because it indicated public involvement in a previous plan. Water Conservation Plan –Documentation of edits made after the October 28 Water Forward Task Force meeting (10-21-2024 to 10-31-2024 versions) Edit Location (clean copy) Edit Description Various locations Page 11, Residential Irrigation Audits Unsubstantial formatting edits to the table of contents, table headers, page breaks, and minor textual edits. Revised the fiscal year 2025 water use thresholds to receive a residential irrigation audit from 25,000/20,000 to 20,000/15,000 gallons. (staff recommendation) Page 14, WaterWise Rainscape Revised program summary for clarification (staff recommendation) Page 16, Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Audit Page 30, Pandemic impacts bullet Page 30, Extreme weather bullet Page 30, Growth of customers and water use Revised program summary to reflect new fiscal year 2025 rebate amounts. (staff recommendation) Text revision (WFTF recommendation) Text revision (WFTF recommendation) New bullet point to address concerns regarding the impact of large commercial/industrial users on the total water use and GPCD. (WFTF recommendation) Text revision to first sentence. (WFTF recommendation) Page 31, Future water use and goals paragraph Page 32, Table 15 Added milestone regarding the replacement of polybutylene service lines. (WFTF recommendation) Page 39, Special engagement activities Appendix C – G Added two activity bullets regarding assisting applicants to water conservation incentive programs and engaging landscapers and nurseries. Added maps and wastewater treatment plants and permits that were included in the …
APPENDIX A: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix AA - 1 Water Forward 2024 Community Engagement Topic Engagement Activity Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Public Workshop Public Workshop Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Webinar Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Webinar Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Survey Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Date 01/01/21 01/12/21 05/01/21 05/07/21 06/01/21 06/15/21 07/01/21 07/13/21 09/01/21 09/07/21 11/01/21 11/03/21 02/01/22 02/11/22 03/01/22 03/21/22 05/01/22 05/03/22 05/19/22 06/14/22 06/22/22 07/01/22 07/12/22 07/14/22 08/04/22 09/01/22 09/20/22 10/13/22 11/01/22 11/08/22 11/10/22 11/29/22 12/01/22 12/12/22 12/13/22 03/29/23 04/01/23 04/11/23 05/01/23 05/01/23 05/09/23 09/01/23 09/12/23 11/01/23 11/01/23 11/29/23 11/30/23 12/06/23 12/11/23 12/14/23 12/15/23 Water Forward 2024 Update Water Forward 2024 Update Water Forward University Water Forward University - Equity and Affordability Community Values 19 43 21 18 120 574 Survey Water Forward Newsletter Sent Meeting w/ St. David's Foundation Water Forward Task Force Meeting Meeting w/ Austin Justice Coalition Meeting w/ Hill Country Alliance, Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, and National Wildlife Federation Meeting w/ Colorado River Land Trust Meeting w/ Natural Resources Conservation Service Water Forward 2024 Update and Water Management Strategies Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability Colorado River Land Analysis Colorado River Land Analysis Colorado River Land Analysis Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 12/20/23 Meeting w/ Environment Texas FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix AA - 2 Topic Engagement 02/01/24 Meeting w/ Austin Parks Foundation Date 01/01/24 01/04/24 01/09/24 01/11/24 01/18/24 01/22/24 01/23/24 01/24/24 02/07/24 02/14/24 02/29/24 …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix B APPENDIX B: WATER FORWARD 2024 EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY ROADMAP B.1. Summary This goal of this document is to provide context about equity and affordability considerations related to water resource management in Austin and to discuss how these considerations will be included in Water Forward 2024 (WF24), the first update to Austin’s 100-year Integrated Water Resource Plan. This appendix provides key definitions, describes how WF24 evaluated the distribution of benefits and burdens of plan implementation outcomes, summarizes procedural equity best practices, and also provides historical context related to race, the environment, governmental policies, and water resources in Austin. B.2. Water Forward Overview Austin Water is committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality and affordable water services to all water users in our community. The purpose of the Water Forward plan is to develop and implement diverse and environmentally conscious water management strategies to adapt to growth, drought, and climate change and ensure a sustainable, resilient, equitable, and affordable water future for our community for the next 100 years. As part of the 2024 plan update, Austin Water seeks to be intentional in considering equity and affordability impacts in the plan development process and in implementation of plan strategies. Austin Water recognizes the importance of an equity framework rooted in an understanding of historic discriminatory and exclusionary practices that may have contributed to certain present day inequities in qualityof life outcomes for communities of color and low-income communities. Staff have compiled key definitions, historical information, and stakeholder feedback to guide and support the creation of an Equity and Affordability framework for the Water Forward 2024 plan update. B.3. Definitions • Equity: The City of Austin Equity Statement is as follows: “Racial equity is the condition when race no longer predicts a person’s quality of life outcomes in our community. The City recognizes that race is the primary determinant of social equity and therefore we begin the journey toward social equity with this definition. The City of Austin recognizes historical and structural disparities and a need for alleviation of the wrongs by critically transforming its institutions and creating a culture of equity.” • Affordability: Regarding affordability, Austin Water seeks to align with the City of Austin Strategic Direction 2023, which states: "Austinites deserve to experience the necessities of life as affordable and accessible. Simply put, this means a household can afford rent or mortgage, transportation, childcare expenses, …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix E APPENDIX E: PRELIMINARY NEEDS ANALYSIS E.1. Estimating Water Supply Needs Selecting water management strategies and their targeted yields first requires an estimate of the future water supply needs. For the purposes of this analysis, water supply needs are defined as water supply shortages in each decade of the Water Forward 2024 (WF24) 100-year planning period when no additional conservation, reuse, or supply are implemented. The needs in each decade are estimated using modeling and vary based on scenarios, which reflect plausible future conditions. Only existing water management strategies are included in the estimate of future water supply needs. The modeling effort used to estimate needs is known as the Preliminary Needs Analysis. E.2. Model The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Water Availability Model (WAM) is the modeling tool used to estimate future water supply needs. The WAM is a collection of model input files covering all state-granted water rights across all river basins in Texas and a generalized computer modeling platform called the Water Rights Analysis Package (WRAP). The WAM is used by state agencies, water right holders, and stakeholders to simulate water availability for a specified water management scenario through a given hydrologic sequence. Typically the WAM is used to simulate water availability during a repeat of historical hydrology which is comprised of monthly naturalized stream flows and net evaporation, generally covering the past 60 to 80 years for the state’s river basins. The following section describes the modified WAM inputs that are used to assess water availability and needs under a range of future conditions. E.3. Scenarios The Colorado River Basin WAM is modified for the Preliminary Needs Analysis. First, the WAM is modified to reflect basin-wide demands, including Austin’s demands, in future decades of the 100-year planning period. Secondly, future water supply strategies for non-Austin entities are added in the decade within which the strategy is expected to be operational. Lastly, the WAM’s hydrological inputs are also modified to include projections of future drought and climate conditions in addition to the standard historical hydrology. The pairings of future demands, regional supplies, and hydrological conditions are known as Scenarios. The scenario approach to modeling is intended to explore the range of uncertainty in each of the scenario components across the planning period. E.4. Demands Future demand estimates by decade for Austin and customers of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) …
APPENDIX F: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY COST AND YIELD CHARACTERIZATION Strategy characterization and costs were developed by Plummer Associates. The Unified Cost Model, a tool developed by the Texas Water Development Board for use in the state water planning process, was used to create standardized capital, operations and maintenance, and annual costs for each strategy. FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix FF-1 Name: Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Strategy description & assumptions: ASR is characterized as storage of drinking water from AW's water distribution system in an underground aquifer for recovery and use when supplies are scarce. ASR costs and operational assumptions are based on project parameters that have been developed through ASR implementation planning. The yield and storage ranges are used to test the project size against future scenarios. ASR is included in every candidate portfolio for modeling since implementation of the project has started. Modeling assumptions: Yield and storage ranges Year 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2120 0 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 Min model test annual yield (AFY) Max model test annual yield (AFY) Min model test total storage (AF) Max model test total storage (AF) 0 60,000 120,000 180,000 240,000 300,000 360,000 0 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 0 60,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 Yes Scalability assumptions Max start volume (AF) 60,000 Max decadal yield increase (AFY) 30,000 Storage assumptions Does this strategy have a modeled storage element? Other assumptions Can this strategy meet needs above existing COA run‐of‐river water rights and LCRA backup contract? No FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix FF-2 Cost Estimate Summary City of Austin ‐ S‐1 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) CAPITAL COST Item Estimated Cost For Facilities Primary Pump Station (74 MGD) Transmission Pipeline (66 in dia., approx. 50 miles) Well Fields (72 Wells, Pumps, and approx. 13 miles Well Field Piping) Storage Tanks (Other Than at Booster Pump Stations) Water Treatment Plant ‐ wellfield (37 MGD) Integration Point Infrastructure (10 MG GST, 74 MGD Pump Station, Yard Piping, etc) TOTAL COST OF FACILITIES Engineering and Feasibility Studies, Legal Assistance, Financing, Bond Counsel, and Contingencies (30% for pipes & 35% for all other facilities) Environmental & Archaeology Studies and Mitigation Land Acquisition/Leasing and Surveying Interest During Construction (3% for 5 years with a 0.5% ROI) x TOTAL COST OF PROJECT ANNUAL COST Debt Service (6 percent, 20 years) Operation and Maintenance Pipeline, Wells, and Storage Tanks (1% …
APPENDIX G: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY EQUITY EVALUATION Each strategy considered as part of Water Forward 2024 was evaluated and scored in accordance with the Equity and Affordability Roadmap, as discussed in Appendix B. The strategies were evaluated based on the following themes. The results of this analysis are provided on the following pages. Themes: • Water Supply Reliability o Access to water o Infrastructure resiliency • Public Health o Regulatory requirements o Water quality o Environment • Accountability o Transparancy o Accessibility o Community outreach and education • Affordability and Economic Impacts o Rate impacts o Growth and development o Workforce development Score Summary – Potential Impacts/Benefits • Green highlight: net benefit, 5 points • Yellow highlight: net neutral, 3 points • Red highlight: net burden, 1 point FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix GG - 1 Utility Water Loss Control Themes Questions Potential Impacts/Benefits Water Supply Reliability 1.1 Given that marginalized communities can be the most impacted by emergency situations, how does the strategy impact/benefit Austin Water’s access to water supply, especially during drought or other emergency situations? Benefits: Improved water use efficiency, leaky pipes may be concentrated in areas with older infrastructure, which could include areas in marginalized communities. Replacing leaky pipes and reducing water loss should improve service and reliability. Potential impacts of increased construction to implement replacements and repairs may impact surrounding communities. Water Supply Reliability 1.2 How does the strategy benefit Austin Water’s water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater infrastructure resilience? Reducing water loss should result in improved water use efficiency and should improve infrastructure resilience in areas where water loss reduction projects, such as leaky replacement projects, are implemented. N/A Page 1/3 Score Potential Mitigation Strategies Plan to address construction impacts as part of project implementation Water Supply Reliability Water Supply Reliability Water Supply Reliability Public Health 1.3 Does this strategy create an inequitable maintenance burden for Austin Water customers who are a part of marginalized communities? 1.4 Does this strategy include energy resilience components? 1.5 Can this strategy be tailored to help improve water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater service to marginalized communities? 2.1 How does the proposed strategy help equitably restore, protect, or impact public or ecosystem health (air, land, water, soil)? 2.2 Does the proposed strategy include policy and/or regulatory requirements that pose barriers to marginalized communities accessing the benefits of the strategy? Public Health 2.3 Does the strategy include regulatory requirements that …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix H APPENDIX H: COLORADO RIVER LAND ANALYSIS EVALUATION H.1. Austin Water’s Wildlands Austin Water currently protects over 48,000 acres of land through its Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) and Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) programs. Managed by the Wildland Conservation Division, these lands protect portions of the Lake Austin and Lake Travis watersheds for endangered species habitat, and areas over the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones for the long-term resilience of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Since its inception in 1998, the Water Quality Protection Lands program has been bolstered by five voter-approved bonds, totaling around $230 million, with an additional $24 million from partnerships. As part of this initiative to protect its source water, the City of Austin set a goal to keep overall impervious cover below 10% within the Source Water Protection Area, which includes the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. To help achieve this goal, it is estimated that the City of Austin would need to permanently protect approximately 100,000 acres of land. As of 2024, the City of Austin has been able to acquire permanent protections on over 45,000 acres in this area, the majority of which are managed by Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division. Austin Water will continue to protect current and future water supplies through the active management of these Wildlands. Austin Water will also continue to pursue further additions to the Water Quality Protection Lands and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve which includes prioritizing the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. While the Colorado River Land Analysis focuses on watersheds upstream of Lake Austin, protecting groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer and inflows to Lady Bird Lake remains integral for Austin’s climate and drought resilient future water supply options. H.2. Colorado River Land Analysis Austin’s drinking water supply has benefited from a landscape of rural, largely working lands throughout the Highland Lakes’ watershed. However, land use in Texas is changing rapidly as the state’s population grows. According to Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, the 20 counties in the lower Colorado basin have seen an 87% increase in population and the loss of over 108,000 acres of working lands since 1997. The working lands that remain are increasingly being subdivided into smaller and smaller parcels. These trends are likely to continue, emphasizing the need to plan for upstream water quality protection. Source Water …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix I APPENDIX I: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ASSESSMENT AND VULNERABILITY EVALUATION I.1. Selecting Water Management Strategy Portfolios The goal of the water management strategy assessment and vulnerability evaluation and selection process is to identify portfolios of water management strategies that, when combined with Austin's core water supplies from the Colorado River and Highland Lakes, will provide a robust and reliable source of water to meet Austin’s demands over the 100-year planning horizon, from 2030-2120. Austin Water has many potential water management strategies that could extend and supplement its core water supplies sourced from the Colorado River. These strategies, compiled from the list of candidates considered in Water Forward 2018 (WF18), include conservation, potable and non-potable reuse, water supply storage, and the development of new water sources. These Water Management strategies are organized into groupings, referred to as portfolios. The evaluation and selection process seeks to identify the best portfolios for Austin Water to address reliability across a wide range of future scenarios while also considering costs and other planning objectives outlined in the Guiding Principles of Water Forward 2024 (WF24). The entire process is referred to as the Water Management Strategy Analysis and Vulnerability Evaluation, or WAVE. A reliable portfolio meets Austin’s water needs over the 100-year planning horizon. These needs are modeled estimates of water supply shortages in each decade if Austin Water implemented no new water management strategies. The needs in each decade vary based on the modeling scenarios, which reflect the wide range of possible future conditions. The WAVE considers varying levels of Austin demand, of basin-wide or regional water supply development, and of climate change impacts over the 100-year planning horizon. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Water Availability Model (WAM), the state’s surface water rights model, is used to evaluate Austin water needs. I.2. Water Management Strategy Evaluation The WAVE proceeds in two components, 1) a Water Management Strategy Evaluation and 2) a Vulnerability Analysis and Adaptive Management Plan. The first component addresses the water supply needs of the first 50 years of the WF24 planning horizon, from 2030 to 2080. The water management strategy evaluation begins by considering a large number of possible portfolios for 2080. Since there are many types of water management strategies that can be combined in various ways, the number of portfolios is very large. Each potential portfolio is evaluated using a simulation modeling …
FINAL Water Forward 2024 Appendix J APPENDIX J: PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION The top ten candidate portfolios were evaluated as described in the following tables: • Table J-1 Water Forward 2024 Objectives and Performance Measures • Table J-2 Water Forward 2024 Objective Descriptions • Table J-3 Water Forward 2024 Performance Measure Descriptions • Table J-4 Water Forward 2024 Equity and Affordability Framework • Table J-5 Water Forward 2024 2080 Portfolios for Evaluation • Table J-6 Water Forward 2024 Raw Portfolio Evaluation Results J - 1 FINAL Water Forward 2024 Appendix J Table J - 1 Water Forward 2024 Objectives and Performance Measures Objective Sub-Objective Performance Measure Data Source Objective Weight Sub- Objective Weight Water Supply Benefits Maximize reliability and resiliency, minimize vulnerability Water Availability Modeling results Maximize portfolio diversity Portfolio diversity score Economic Benefits Maximize cost-effectiveness Cost (lifecycle, capital, operations and maintenance) Strategy Characterization 20% 20% Equity Benefits Equity and affordability score Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Equity & Affordability Tool 8% 8% Water Availability Modeling Portfolio Characterization Water Availability Modeling Strategy Characterization Portfolio Characterization 40% 20% Minimize ecosystem impacts Net return flows Minimize net energy use Operational energy use Environmental Benefits Maximize water use efficiency Potable GPCD Minimize water quality impacts Water quality impact score Qualitative Minimize implementation and operational risk Implementation and operational risk score Qualitative Implementation Benefits Maximize water distribution and wastewater collection system resiliency System resiliency benefits Qualitative 12% 3.5% Maximize local control/local resource Volume of local and AW-controlled water resources Portfolio Characterization 35% 5% 4% 6% 6% 4% 3.5% 5% J - 1 FINAL Water Forward 2024 Appendix J Table J - 2 Water Forward 2024 Objective Descriptions Objective Objective Description Sub-Objective Water Supply Benefits Avoid severe water shortages during drought and a variety of climate change scenarios Include diverse water management strategies that make use of all water sources Maximize portfolio diversity Maximize reliability and resiliency, minimize vulnerability Economic Benefits Evaluate affordability impacts in a holistic manner that balances near-term and long-term costs Maximize cost-effectiveness Equity Benefits Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Environmental Benefits Develop strategies that continue to protect the natural environment, including source and downstream water quality Minimize ecosystem impacts Minimize net energy use Maximize water use efficiency Minimize water quality impacts Implementation Benefits Develop strategies that are technically, socially, and economically …
WATER FORWARD 2024 | Water Forward 2024 Plan Report FINAL – October 31, 2024 WATER FORWARD 2024 | i Director’s Message Austin Water is doing important work to make sure Austin has a strong and reliable water supply, even as our city faces the challenges of growth, drought, and a changing climate. Over the past few years, Austin Water has put smart strategies in place that have already made a big difference. We've focused on conservation, encouraging our customers to use water wisely through recent hot and dry years. We've also launched GoPurple, a program that will expand our reclaimed water system and includes requirements and incentives for developments to reuse water onsite. We are pursuing water storage strategies to stretch our existing supplies. And working closely with our regional partners, we've strengthened Austin's ability to bridge droughts and provide a sustainable water supply to meet all our community’s water needs. Our work doesn't stop here. Climate science tells us that we must do even more to protect our future. The challenges we face are real, and we need to stay ahead of them. That's why we're committed to learning from our past efforts and adjusting as we go. We've been using an adaptive management approach to closely monitor how our plans are working and make changes as needed. This is a key part of Water Forward 2024, which provides a roadmap for Austin's water future. We've been working hand in hand with the Water Forward Task Force, a group of dedicated community members who help inform our efforts. Together, we've updated the 2018 plan, adjusted our strategies, and responded to the needs we've identified along the way. This collaborative approach has resulted in updates that not only address today's needs but also prepare us for tomorrow's challenges. At Austin Water, work is already underway to carry out this updated plan. We're focused on staying transparent and accountable to you, our community, as we move forward. We know that water is essential to our quality of life, and we're determined to protect this precious resource. As we look to the future, we at Austin Water hold a hopeful vision. Austin is a leader in water conservation and sustainability and we see a future where our city continues to thrive, and where every resident has access to clean and reliable water, no matter what challenges come our way. Together, we can …
DRAFT - Water Forward 2024 Appendix H APPENDIX H: COLORADO RIVER LAND ANALYSIS EVALUATION Austin Water’s Wildlands Austin Water currently protects over 48,000 acres of land through its Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) and Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) programs. Managed by the Wildland Conservation Division, these lands protect portions of the Lake Austin and Lake Travis watersheds for endangered species habitat, and areas over the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones for the long-term resilience of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Since its inception in 1998, the Water Quality Protection Lands program has been bolstered by five voter-approved bonds, totaling around $230 million, with an additional $24 million from partnerships. As part of this initiative to protect its source water, the City of Austin set a goal to keep overall impervious cover below 10% within the Source Water Protection Area, which includes the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. To help achieve this goal, it is estimated that the City of Austin would need to permanently protect approximately 100,000 acres of land. As of 2024, the City of Austin has been able to acquire permanent protections on over 45,000 acres in this area, the majority of which are managed by Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division. Austin Water will continue to protect current and future water supplies through the active management of these Wildlands. Austin Water will also continue to pursue further additions to the Water Quality Protection Lands and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve which includes prioritizing the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. While the Colorado River Land Analysis focuses on watersheds upstream of Lake Austin, protecting groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer and inflows to Lady Bird Lake remains integral for Austin’s climate and drought resilient future water supply options.that meet those programs’ land protection priorities. Colorado River Land Analysis Austin’s drinking water supply has benefited from a landscape of rural, largely working lands throughout the Highland Lakes’ watershed. However, land use in Texas is changing rapidly as the state’s population grows. According to Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, the 20 counties in the lower Colorado basin have seen an 87% increase in population and the loss of over 108,000 acres of working lands since 1997. The working lands that remain are increasingly being subdivided into smaller and smaller parcels. These trends are likely to continue, emphasizing the need to plan for upstream water …
