REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025, AT 12 P.M. WALLER CREEK CENTER, ROOM 104 625 EAST 10TH STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community (Water Forward) Task Force may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 by remotely, contact Emily Rafferty, Emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. telephone. To to speak register CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Jennifer Walker, Chair Robert Mace, Vice Chair Bill Moriarty Leah Martinsson Hani Michel Madelline Mathis Paul DiFiore AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES Perry Lorenz Sarah Faust Todd Bartee 1. Approve the minutes of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Regular Called meeting on October 14, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. 4. Staff briefing regarding Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions. Presentation by Emily Rafferty, Program Manager, Austin Water. Staff briefing regarding Q3 Water Management Strategy Presentation by Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water. Staff briefing regarding Water Forward 2024 water supply strategies, including implementation of Austin Water’s aquifer storage and recovery project. Presentation by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Water Resources Team Supervisor, Austin Water. Implementation Report. 5. Staff briefing regarding Water Forward Task Force administrative items. Presentation by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Water Resources Team Supervisor, Austin Water. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Emily Rafferty at Austin Water Department, at 512-972-0427 or Emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or Emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov.
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force Meeting | December 9, 2025 Highland Lakes Inflows Highland Lakes Inflows Average 1942 - Present Average 2008 - 2015 2024 Jan.-Nov. 2025 800,000 700,000 600,000 t e e F - e r c A 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage t e e f - e r c a , e g a r o t S 2,200,000 2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 Combined Storage of Lakes Buchanan and Travis January 1, 2005 through December 1, 2025 2.0M ac-ft Full Storage 0.6M ac-ft Interruptible stored water for non-Garwood agricultural operations was not provided by LCRA in 2012 through 2015 and beginning with the second growing season of 2022 through 2025. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 3 U.S. Drought Monitor 4 NOAA 3-month Outlook: January – March The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. 5 NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast La Niña conditions are present and are favored to persist through winter. A transition to ENSO-neutral is likely in January – March 2026 (61% chance). 6 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections 7 Questions? 8
Water Management Strategy Implementation REPORT Third Quarter 2025, July - September | Water Forward Task Force | December 9, 2025 Contents Third Quarter Summary Water Conservation Updates Water Loss Reduction Updates Reclaimed Water and Onsite Reuse Updates Conservation Outreach Updates Water Supply Project Updates Water Use and GPCD Notes Regarding Data 2 Third Quarter Summary The Water Management Strategy Implementation Report is intended to provide transparency and accountability regarding the execution of strategies from the 2024 Water Conservation Plan and the 2024 Water Forward Plan. The plans include proactive and substantial demand management strategies and innovative local supply strategies, but the hard work necessary to complete the strategies and meet the goals are illustrated in the implementation reports. The third quarter of 2025 (July – September) includes what is typically the hottest and driest part of the year in Central Texas. In early July, Central Texas was struck by severe storms that caused severe damage and loss of life but filled Lakes Buchanan and Travis from 50 percent storage capacity to over 90 percent. On September 2, the City of Austin returned to the baseline Conservation Stage water restrictions from Stage 2 Drought restrictions. While the city’s water supply was nearly full, the latter two months of the quarter proved to be the typical hot and dry Texas summer. 3 Water Conservation Updates New Community Outreach Grants to support innovative, community-lead conservation initiatives. (WCP, p. 40) Applications accepted Oct. 15 – Nov. 30 Up to $3,000 Irrigation enforcement: 480 Customer 311 reports, 1,700 warnings, 243 citations Stakeholder engagement for new Uniform Plumbing Code landscape irrigation restrictions (pressure reduction and 50% irrigation area in new homes) Categorized all commercial, institutional, and industrial customer with North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code to aid in high use/leaks identification and the establishment of water use benchmarks Began inclusion of conservation programs in the utility’s enterprise customer relations management software. 4 Water Conservation Metrics Residential Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Drought Survival Tools Irrigation Upgrades Rainwater Harvesting Rebates WaterWise Landscape WaterWise Rainscape Other Residential Programs Q3 2024-Q2 2025 Q3 2025 5 Water Conservation Metrics Commercial Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 5 4 3 2 1 0 4 4 4 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 Bucks for Business Other …
Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Strategies Austin Water | 12/09/2025 Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Strategies Water Forward 2024 (WF24) Supply Strategies Overview Adaptive Management Approach WF24 Year One Implementation Updates by Strategy Aquifer Storage and Recovery Brackish Groundwater Desalination Indirect Potable Reuse Lake Walter E. Long Other Related Efforts Next Steps 2 Water Forward 2024 Supply Strategies Overview Water Forward 2024 Portfolio Utility-Side Water Loss Control • Production meter improvements • Expanded active leak detection programs • Additional analysis of smart meter data Customer Side Water Use Management • Expanded customer incentives for conservation • Use of smart meter data for customer-side leak identification, education, and outreach • Water use budgeting Native & Efficient Landscapes • New landscape ordinances & incentives • • Irrigation efficiency incentives Landscape conversion programs Non-Potable Reuse • Onsite Water Reuse Systems • Decentralized Reclaimed • Centralized Reclaimed 4 Water Supply Storage Aquifer Storage and Recovery Potable Reuse Indirect Potable Reuse New Water Supplies Brackish Groundwater Desalination Lake Walter E. Long On Channel Reservoir Strategies reliant on Colorado River and LCRA supplies 4 Water Supply Strategies 2030 - 2080 Portfolios All volumes in max annual yield, acre-feet per year Strategy 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 Aquifer Storage and Recovery Lake Walter E. Long Reservoir 0 0 44,500 44,500 44,500 44,500 44,500 18,300 18,300 18,300 18,300 18,300 Indirect Potable Reuse *** *** 22,400 22,400 22,400 22,400 Brackish Groundwater Desalination TOTAL 0 0 0 0 0 20,000 40,000 62,800 85,200 85,200 105,200 125,200 5 Adaptive Management Approach Water Forward 2024 Adaptive Management Approach Update plan every five years using an adaptive management approach Between updates: Implement, evaluate and adjust strategies Plan alternate pathways to respond to lessons learned and changing conditions 7 Adaptive Management Approach Excerpt from the Water Forward 2024 Plan Metric Adaptation Triggers Possible Adaptation Actions Annual strategy yield Strategy implementation progress Annual strategy yield falls below target levels for two years in a row Progress falls behind action timeline Combined lake storage Combined lake storage remains below 750,000 AF for four months or longer • Identify supply project delivery methods and tasks that can be accelerated • Evaluate possible alternative supply project configurations or approaches • Accelerate implementation of emergency supply strategies • Re-evaluate staffing and funding levels for projects and programs 8 WF24 Year One Implementation Updates by Strategy …
Water Forward Task Force Administration Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force Meeting | December 9, 2025 Current Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Roster Current Working Group members Include: Jennifer Walker Perry Lorenz Bill Moriarty Hani Michel Paul DiFiore Working Group will continue with bi-monthly meeting cadence in 2026 Working Group membership is limited to 5 Task Force members, as six members constitute a quorum. Notes from the Working Group meetings will promptly be shared with the entire WFTF 2 Current Water Forward Plan Update Working Group Roster Water Forward 2024 Plan Update Working Group members Included: Jennifer Walker Robert Mace Madelline Mathis Sarah Faust Working Group will focus on 2029 Plan with quarterly meetings beginning in 2026 Working Group membership is limited to 5 Task Force members, as six members constitute a quorum. Notes from the Working Group meetings will promptly be shared with the entire WFTF 3 Questions? 4
Water Forward Task Force: Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group November 18, 2025, Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Paul DiFiore, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Bill Moriarty, WFTF Kevin Kluge, Austin Water Katherine Jashinski, Austin Water Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Strategies Update Marisa Flores Gonzalez provided a brief update related to the Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) project. The Bastrop County ASR collaboration agreement will be considered by Austin City Council on November 20. Austin Water is also continuing to work on Indirect Potable Reuse emergency implementation planning, use of Lake Long as a water supply reservoir, and brackish groundwater desalination. Water Forward 2024 Water Conservation Strategies Update Kevin Kluge shared that the Q3 water management strategy report will be presented at the December 9 Water Forward Task Force meeting. He also shared the following conservation updates: • In October a new Community Outreach Grant was launched. The grant will provide five mini-grants to local organizations promoting water conservation activities, providing up to $3,000 per application. Austin Water will be awarding grants in February 2026. • Austin Water has been sending out pilot MyATXWater notifications over the past several months, including notifications sent to irrigators after rain days, notifications sent to those irrigating three or more times per week, and notifications for home water use reports. The Conservation team is gathering data on how these notifications are impacting water use to plan for future broader rollout of notifications. • Conservation staff are categorizing commercial water customers to perform water use benchmarking and analyses. • All water conservation programs are being integrated into SalesForce (a customer relationship management application), which will help to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of customer outreach. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting September 2025 Water Forward 2024 Water Reuse Update Katherine Jashinski shared the following water reuse updates: o The Onsite Water Reuse Systems (OWRS) Team is starting a project next month to use a permit tracking software for onsite reuse permits. This system will automate data collection to estimate savings from operational water systems and provide alerts when systems may not be in use. o OWRS is finishing up an OWRS operators training manual that was developed by AW in collaboration with the Water Reuse Foundation. This training will be publicized and an exam to get the certificate will be made available nation-wide in April 2026. In October, Austin will establish …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE October 14, 2025 --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 Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Innovation Office: Daniel Culotta Office of Climate Action and Resilience: 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 Regular Called Task Force meeting on June 10, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Update on Austin Water’s water distribution system water loss and mitigation 4. Presentation of Q2 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report ACTION ITEMS 5. Review and approve the 2026 Water Forward Task Force meeting schedule 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 Texas at 711. …
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force Meeting | October 14, 2025 Highland Lakes Inflows 2 0100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000600,000700,000800,000JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecAcre-FeetHighland Lakes InflowsAverage 1942 - PresentAverage 2008 - 20152024Jan.-Sep. 2025 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage 3 0200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,0001,200,0001,400,0001,600,0001,800,0002,000,0002,200,00020052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027Storage, acre-feetCombined Storage of Lakes Buchanan and TravisJanuary 1, 2005 through October 1, 20250.6M ac-ft2.0M ac-ft Full StorageInterruptible stored water for non-Garwood agricultural operationswas not provided by LCRA in 2012 through 2015 and beginning with the second growing season of 2022 through 2025. U.S. Drought Monitor 4 NOAA 3-month Outlook: November – January The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. 5 NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast ▪ La Niña conditions are present and are favored to persist through December 2025 – February 2026. ▪ A transition to ENSO-neutral is likely in January – March 2026 (55% chance). 6 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections 7 Questions? 8
Water Loss and Mitigation Briefing Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force | Oct. 14, 2025 Matt Cullen, P.E. Agenda • • • • Overview Water Loss Factors – 2023-2024 Actions to Reduce Water Loss Next Steps Overview Austin Water’s water distribution system includes: 4,018 miles of pipeline Pipes range in size from 2-inch to 84-inch diameter Our multi-pronged approach to reduce sources of water loss: On-going participation in industry best practices and innovations Fast response to reported leaks Infrastructure renewal investments Proactive leak detection 3 Water Loss Trends & Goals 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY13 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) WF Goals 4 Water Loss & ILI Terms ILI is an industry performance indicator calculated as the ratio of Current Annual Real Losses to Unavoidable Annual Real Losses Real Losses: Water lost from system leaks and pressure-related issues. Unavoidable Annual Real Losses: The theoretical minimum level of water loss through all feasible leakage control efforts, regardless of cost. Unavoidable Loss is based on system-specific factors: miles of water mains number of service connections average annual system pressure Apparent Losses: Water that is distributed to a user but isn't accurately measured or billed. Results in lost revenue rather than a physical loss of water. 5 Water Loss Factors 2023 – 2024 30% increase in calculated water loss attributed to: Improvement in production flow measurement (0.5-1.0 billion gallons, or a 7-14% increase) Updated reporting of municipal water use (0.816 billion gallons, or an 11% increase) Increased “Real” Real Loss (0.376-0.876 billion gallons, or a 5-12% increase) 6 Actions to Reduce Water Loss In 2023, Black & Veatch was contracted to analyze our Water Loss Program The final 2024 Black & Veatch Report offered 32 recommendations: 9 are Complete or Operationalized 15 are In Progress 8 prerequisite items are In Progress 7 Leak Detection Practices Evaluate entire system every 6 years Explore more targeted approaches Continue large diameter leak detection & condition assessment Complete leak detection SOPs that include: Contract standards Data management Ongoing staff training Piloting new technologies Inspecting ARV’s, valves & vaults …
Water Management Strategy Implementation REPORT Water Forward Task Force October 14, 2025 Second Quarter 2025, April - June August 2025 Contents 2 First Quarter Summary Notes Regarding Data Water Conservation Updates Water Loss Reduction Updates Reclaimed Water and Onsite Reuse Updates Conservation Outreach Updates Water Supply Project Updates Water Use and GPCD Second Quarter Summary The second quarter of the year (April – June) transitions from the drier winter to one of the wettest months of the year in May. Implementation efforts also transition to meet changing conditions and environments. Landscape water conservation expands for existing and new homes. Increased leak detection for small-diameter pipes. Additional reclaimed customers and usage, while approving onsite reuse permits for future development. Expanded public outreach with springtime messaging. Planning for the aquifer storage and recovery project continued, as well as an emergency implementation plan for indirect potable reuse. Water Conservation Updates Council approved Uniform Plumbing Code with 3 local amendments that implement the Water Forward 2018 Landscape Transformation strategy: • Irrigation pressure reduction components • Limitation of the size of automatic irrigation systems • Requirement of laundry to landscape plumbing Residential landscape rebates – 140% increase over 2024 year to date Staff completed water efficiency audits on 6 City of Austin facilities; immediate action at one facility lowered irrigation consumption by 88% and total use by 21% 4 Water Conservation Metrics Residential Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 5 Drought Survival Tools Irrigation Upgrades Rainwater Harvesting Rebates WaterWise Landscape WaterWise Rainscape Other Residential Programs Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Water Conservation Metrics Commercial Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 5 4 3 2 1 0 6 Bucks for Business Other Commercial Programs Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Water Conservation Metrics Compliance Assessments Number of Compliant Commercial Facilities Number of Compliant Commercial Facilities 3,200 3,180 3,160 3,140 3,120 3,100 3,080 3,060 3,040 3,020 7 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Landscape Irrigation Assessment Cooling Tower Assessment Vehicle Wash Assessment Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Water Conservation Strategy Milestones 2025 Milestones Commercial Incentives Progress Pilot an increased rebate for commercial water use audits. Identify opportunities for CII facility owners/managers to benefit from the My ATX Water alerts and information. Landscape transformation Coordinate with COA Development Services Department …
Item 5 – Review and approve the 2026 Water Forward Task Force Meeting Schedule Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force | October 14, 2025 2026 Proposed Meeting Dates • February 10, 2026 • April 14, 2026 June 9, 2026 • • August 11, 2026 • October 13, 2026 • December 8, 2026 *All meetings are scheduled on Tuesdays from 12-2pm at Waller Creek Center
Water Forward Task Force: Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group September 9, 2025, Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Paul DiFiore, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Bill Moriarty, WFTF Daniel Cavazos, Austin Water Hani Michel, WFTF Katherine Jashinski, Austin Water Jennifer Walker, WFTF Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Strategies Update Marisa Flores Gonzalez provided a brief update on community engagement activities in Bastrop County related to the Aquifer Storage Recovery project. Austin Water is continuing to work on Indirect Potable Reuse emergency implementation planning, with the goal of having a draft report in early 2026. There are four different consultants working on the project components of the Indirect Potable Reuse project. The Water Resources team is still working on preliminary planning for use of Lake Long as a water supply reservoir, brackish groundwater desalination, and direct potable reuse. Water Forward 2024 Water Conservation Strategies Update Daniel Cavazos provided an update on the following water conservation activities: • Austin Water is continuing implementation of the Universal Plumbing Code (UPC) and have been doing community outreach with stakeholders. These codes pertaining to water conservation can be found at the document linked here and brief descriptions are listed below: o 614.1.9 and 614.10 – related to new water pressure regulating components o 614.1.1 – limits irrigation systems to 50% of the landscape area o 1503.10 – requires laundry to landscape plumbing for new homes • Residential landscape rebates increased over 2024 year to date. • Austin Water staff completed water efficiency audits on six City of Austin facilities. Auditors found issues with one facility and made corrections that were able to lower irrigation consumption by 88%. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting September 2025 • Austin Water is working on a conservation community grant program to work with the community to financially support community-based conservation messaging and outreach. The total amount of the grant program would be $15,000 with a total of up to 5 recipients and up to $3,000 per recipient. Water Forward 2024 Water Reuse Update Katherine Jashinski provided an update on water reuse activities highlighted in the Q2 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report. Katherine shared that this year has been largely focused on program development of onsite water reuse and new reclaimed water connection requirements. In March of 2025, a new wastewater billing ordinance was adopted to be able to calculate wastewater billing …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Regular Called meeting on October 14, 2025, at Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Walker called the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Meeting to order at 12:08 p.m. Members in Attendance: Chair Jennifer Walker, Hani Michel, Madelline Mathis, Paul DiFiore, and Sarah Faust Members in Attendance Remotely: Bill Moriarty PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Valerie Menard gave a public comment in-person. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Regular Called Meeting on June 10, 2025. The minutes from the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force regular called meeting on June 10, 2025, were approved on Member Michel’s motion, Member DiFiore’s second on a 6-0 vote. Members Lorenz, Bartee, and Mace absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions. The presentation was made by Emily Rafferty, Program Manager, Austin Water. Staff briefing regarding Update on Austin Water’s water distribution system water loss and mitigation. The presentation was made by Matt Cullen, Division Manager, Pipeline Engineering & Operations Support, Austin Water. 1 4. Staff briefing regarding Q2 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report. The presentation was made by Kevin Kluge, Division Manager, Water Conservation, Austin Water. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Review and approve the 2026 Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force meeting schedule. The motion to approve the 2026 annual schedule was approved on Member DiFiore’s motion, Member Michel’s second on a 6-0 vote. Members Lorenz, Bartee, and Mace absent. ADJOURNMENT Chair Walker adjourned the meeting at 1:32pm. The meeting minutes were approved at the December 9, 2025, meeting on Member DiFiore’s motion, Member Michel’s second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Task Force Chair Walker absent. 2
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE August 12, 2025 --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 Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Innovation Office: Daniel Culotta Office of Climate Action and Resilience: 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 Regular Called Task Force meeting on June 10, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Update on Austin Water’s water distribution system water loss and mitigation 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 Texas at 711. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov.
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE June 10, 2025 --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 Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Innovation Office: Daniel Culotta Office of Climate Action and Resilience: 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 Regular Called Task Force meeting on April 8, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Presentation of Q1 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report 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 Texas at 711. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov.
Water Management Strategy Implementation REPORT First Quarter 2025, January – March Water Forward Task Force June 10, 2025 Contents 2 First Quarter Summary Notes Regarding Data Water Conservation Updates Water Loss Reduction Updates Reclaimed Water and Onsite Reuse Updates Conservation Outreach Updates Water Use and GPCD Water Supply Project Updates First Quarter Summary The sustainability of Austin’s water supply is critical to the City’s future. This is the first quarterly report on implementation of water management strategies in the 2024 Water Conservation and Water Forward Plans. Austin Water has committed to this regular reporting to provide the latest information for stakeholders to understand our progress. In the first quarter of Calendar Year 2025, Austin Water initiated many bedrock tasks of water management strategies, including this new process of reporting. Notes Regarding Data Quarterly reporting of strategy implementation is a groundbreaking effort undertaken by Austin Water. Several important metrics require both explanation and development. Some metrics will be available in future quarterly reports. Quarterly Data – All quarterly data should be considered preliminary and draft, subject to adjustment and revision at the end of the year and included in the annual report. Historical Data – Where possible, 2024 quarterly metrics are included for reference with the 2025 first quarter metrics. Not all metrics have historical data. Yield of Strategies – Estimated volumetric yields from strategies are included in the Water Conservation Plan (2029 and 2034) and the Water Forward Plan (2030). Austin Water is working to identify the volumetric yields of strategies as they are being implemented and report them in future reporting. 4 Water Conservation Updates New single family residential irrigation inspections started in October 2024 3 Commercial/Institutional water audits conducted with pre-approved Bucks for Business applications Commercial water audit training: 2 staff members were certified and local utilities are working to bring the training to Central Texas WaterWise Landscape and Rainscape applications increased by 900% and 350% respectively between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 5 Water Conservation Metrics Residential Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 6 Drought Survival Tools Irrigation Upgrades Other Residential Programs Rainwater Harvesting Rebates WaterWise Landscape WaterWise Rainscape Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Water Conservation Metrics Commercial Rebate Programs Approved Rebates Approved Rebates 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 …
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Average 1942 - Present Average 2008 - 2015 2024 Jan.-May 2025 Highland Lakes Inflows Highland Lakes Inflows t e e F - e r c A 250,000 225,000 200,000 175,000 150,000 125,000 100,000 75,000 50,000 25,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Combined Storage of Lakes Buchanan and Travis January 1, 2005 through June 1, 2025 2.0M ac-ft Full Storage 1.4M ac-ft, DCP Stage 1 0.9M ac-ft, DCP Stage 2 0.75M ac-ft, DCP Stage 3 0.6M ac-ft, DCP Stage 4 t e e f - e r c a , e g a r o t S 2,200,000 2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 U.S. Drought Monitor NOAA 3-month Outlook: July – Sep The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast ENSO-neutral is favored through the Northern Hemisphere through the Summer of 2025. 74% chance of ENSO- neutral in June-August 2025, chances exceeding 50% through August- October 2025. Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections Questions?
Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group May 13, 2025 Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Paul DiFiore, WFTF Hani Michel, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Jennifer Walker, WFTF Water Forward 2024 Water Management Strategies Update ASR Update Marisa Flores Gonzalez provided an update on the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project and recapped related Legislative updates. Marisa went over the original planned timeline for the ASR project. • Phase 1a - Desktop Study to identify most viable location for the project (2021-late 2023) • Phase 1b – Exploratory drilling and field testing. Will involve drilling test wells and conducting water quality testing in a laboratory setting. (Not started) • Phase 2 – Pilot ASR testing. Will involve injecting drinking water into a well to test water quality, operational, and other parameters. (Not started) • Phase 3 – Full scale ASR design and construction. (Not started) Marisa shared that AW completed the preliminary analysis desktop study analysis in late 2023. The team identified a potential location for field testing. Austin Water had begun initial community engagement regarding the proposed ASR project in 2022. Following feedback, outreach was paused in late 2023 to ensure communication proceeded in appropriate stakeholder order. In December of 2024, House Bill 1523 was filed by Representative Stan Gerdes that would prohibit an Austin Water ASR project within the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District jurisdiction. A working group was created by Representative Gerdes that included City of Austin and Bastrop stakeholders, including Bastrop County officials, City of Bastrop officials, utility providers, and the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District. This group began meeting on April 7th to discuss creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and share technical information related to the desktop study and the City of Austin’s plans for field testing. Marisa shared that there will be another working group meeting on May 19th to continue to discuss the MOU and partnership framework. The priorities of these discussions include safeguarding the aquifer and learning about desired community benefits in Bastrop County. A public hearing was held on April 23, 2025 regarding HB 1523. Austin Water Director, Shay Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting May 2025 Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group May 13, 2025 Meeting Notes Ralls Roalson provided testimony. Stakeholders from Bastrop County also provided testimony. Austin Water provided a markup …
