AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE April 8, 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 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Ex Officio Member introductions 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Called Task Force meeting on February 11, 3. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 4. Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Project Update 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.
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Highland Lakes Inflows Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage U.S. Drought Monitor NOAA 3-month Outlook: May – July The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast A shift from La Niña conditions to ENSO-neutral is favored to develop in the next month and persist through the Northern Hemisphere summer 62% chance of ENSO- neutral in June-August 2025) Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections Questions?
Water Supply Project Update April 8, 2025 Agenda Overview of Indirect Potable Reuse and Lake Walter E. Long Strategies Overview of Consultant Support Work to date on Indirect Potable Reuse planning Next steps on big picture water supply strategy evaluation and related work Water Forward 2080 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 Water Supply Storage Aquifer Storage and Recovery Use of Lake Walter E. Long Potable Reuse Indirect Potable Reuse New Water Supplies Brackish Groundwater Desalination Strategies reliant on Colorado River and LCRA supplies 3 Indirect Potable Reuse (Drought Emergency Strategy) Annual Yield Targets (acre feet per year) 2030 *** 2040 *** 2050 22,400 2060 22,400 2070 22,400 2080 22,400 Capital Cost of Infrastructure Capital Cost including Contingencies and Land Acquisition Annual Cost O&M and Debt Service ($ per year) Total Annual Cost ($ per acre foot per year) $114,104,000 $180,486,000 $19,710,000 $880 Five Year Implementation Actions • • • Develop IPR schematic design, design criteria, technical specifications (2024) Begin design-build procurement process and, pending Council approval, issue design-build contract (2025) Preliminary target for substantial completion of IPR project construction (2028) 4 Use of Lake Walter E. Long Annual Yield Targets (acre feet per year) 2030 0 2040 18,300 2050 18,300 2060 18,300 Annual Storage Targets (acre feet) 2030 0 2040 6,100 2050 6,100 2070 18,300 2060 6,100 2080 18,300 2070 6,100 Capital Cost of Infrastructure Capital Cost including Contingencies and Land Acquisition Annual Cost O&M and Debt Service ($ per year) Total Annual Cost ($ per acre foot per year) $331,634,000 $518,117,000 $55,507,000 $3,033 Five Year Implementation Actions • • • Complete feasibility report to evaluate off-channel reservoir configurations and recommend a preferred configuration (2025) Begin water quality sampling of Lake Walter E. Long (2025) Begin preliminary engineering of a conceptual project layout for the preferred strategy configuration, including Colorado River infrastructure, improvements to the intake pipeline, water treatment plant infrastructure, intake infrastructure, and distribution system integration. (2026) 5 IPR …
Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group March 11, 2025 Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Bill Moriarty, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Paul DiFiore, WFTF Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Hani Michel, WFTF Kevin Kluge, Austin Water Jennifer Walker, WFTF Water Forward 2024 Water Management Strategies Update - Kevin Kluge shared implementation updates on conservation strategies, including the following: o Continuing to expand commercial incentive programs o Brought on 2 interns in February to classify commercial customer accounts Implemented irrigation inspections for residential usage o There was discussion regarding the data inspectors are finding in their inspections. Kevin shared that when irrigation systems do not pass inspection, the reasons are documented. He also shared that when they began inspections, they found a lot of systems that failed inspections, but over time there are more passing systems than failing. Jennifer Walker suggested using the data collected through these inspections to incorporate into Quarterly Reporting to Council, for example, the top 5 weak points identified when systems are failing inspection. o Update on Quarterly Reports timeline and framework - Marisa Flores Gonzalez gave update on the implementation of supply strategies, including the following: o IPR – Austin Water is working with a consultant to evaluate three potential different configurations of IPR. All three configurations could take water from South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and treat the water to reclaimed water quality, including potential additional treatment. The water would be discharged upstream of Longhorn Dam. A new intake downstream of Tom Miller Dam would convey water to Ullrich Water Treatment Plant to treat for potable uses. These options are being compared using cost estimates. Bill Moriarty requested to see a written schedule for this project. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting March 2025 Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group March 11, 2025 Meeting Notes o ASR – Finishing up evaluation of protentional locations for field testing, need to do field testing before piloting. - Paul DiFiore discussed the cost-of-service study and asked why inclining block pricing is only used for residential customers and not commercial customers, and if this is considered best practice among other cities. Paul suggested that Austin Water investigates how this rate structure could be expanded to commercial customers. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting March 2025
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE February 11, 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 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 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Called Task Force meeting on December 3, 2. Presentation on lessons learned and initial planning for 2029 Water Forward, Water Conservation, Drought Contingency Plan updates 3. Update on Water Management Strategy Implementation Quarterly Report development 4. Discuss City Council’s proposed merger of the Water Forward Task Force with the Water and Wastewater Commission 5. Discuss Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group members 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 …
Lessons learned and initial planning for 2029 Water Forward, Water Conservation, Drought Contingency Plan updates 2/11/25 Overview Summary of Task Force feedback received Additional lessons learned Next Steps to Prepare for 2029 Plans Summary of Task Force Feedback received Reduce level of effort for plan updates • Increase length of time between WF plan updates or have a lighter 5-year update with more rigorous10-year update Front load difficult technical work to avoid rushing at the end Continue to use scenario planning approach • Including use of stochastic and probabilistic forecasts Summary of Task Force Feedback Received Increase COA Equity Office involvement in plan development • Add Equity Office as Ex Officio member (would be a Council decision) Increase Task Force Ex Officio participation Analyze equity impact of entire Water Forward plan Additional Lessons Learned Updating Water Forward, WCP, and DCP at the same time led to greater integration and alignment between plans and staff Climate and hydrology, demand forecasting, and water needs analysis work could be done on the backend by staff with input from a technical advisory group Next Steps to Prepare for 2029 Plans Begin early updates to technical tools and models to enable quicker updates to input analyses during the plan update process • Climate and hydrology projections, population and employment projections, demand forecasting models, preliminary needs analysis, vulnerability analysis Establish on-boarding process for Ex Officio members and partner City departments as we begin implementation phase Next Steps to Prepare for 2029 Plans Continue to gather water management strategy implementation data to inform 5-year performance evaluation • Key performance indicators to be reported on a quarterly basis Continue to build and strengthen AW's existing relationships with community and City department stakeholders Begin scoping for two-year plan update effort in late 2025/early 2026 Questions?
Update on Water Management Strategy Implementation Quarterly Report Kevin Kluge February 11, 2025 Agenda 1. Quarterly reporting in the Plans 2. Framework of Quarterly Reports 3. Contents of Quarterly Reports Quarterly reporting in the Plans These quarterly reports will include leading demand reduction and supply performance measures. Austin Water will also develop public year-end annual reports including leading performance measures, descriptions of programmatic efforts, conservation performance, and total water use and loss. (Water Forward) …revise those [quarterly] updates to be more focused on the performance of conservation measures and offer it to all interested City bodies. In addition, AW will produce an annual report that describes the implementation progress of conservation activities. (Water Conservation) • “Austin Water will utilize a quarterly report to share its progress and the progress of our community in achieving our desired water savings, including gallons per capita per day (GPCD) by residential, industrial, and commercial customer classes.” (Mayor’s motion) Framework of Quarterly Reports Continued refinements to reporting, including future possible dashboards Based on calendar year • Annual report will be consistent with other State and LCRA reports Quarter 1 (January – March) report anticipated by May 8 • Posting for May RMC and WWWC meetings 4 Framework of Quarterly Reports Focus on leading measures – activities that should produce savings Qualitative updates – textual descriptions of progress Quantitative updates – consistent data and charts updated each quarter 5 Framework of Quarterly Reports Volumetric yields by strategy and activity where applicable Milestone progress (WFP and WCP) 6 Contents of Quarterly Reports Water Conservation Gallons Per Capita Daily (GPCD) • Utility-Side Water Loss Control and water use by category • Water Conservation • Customer-Side Water Use Management Potable Water Supply • Aquifer storage and recovery • Native and Efficient Landscape • Off-channel reservoir • Centralized/Decentralized • Indirect potable reuse • Brackish GW desalination Reclaimed • Onsite Water Reuse • Customer Outreach • Milestone progress 7 Questions?
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 11, 2025 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Regular Called Meeting on February 11, 2025, with Social Distancing Modifications. Chair WALKER called the meeting to order at 12:10 pm. Members in Attendance: Jennifer Walker, Chair Robert Mace, Vice Chair Bill Moriarty Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Kevin Critendon Chase Bryan Ramesh Swaminathan Kathleen Garrett Liana Kallivoka Members in Attendance Remotely: Hani Michel Sarah Faust Austin Water Staff: Shay Ralls Roalson Teresa Lutes Kevin Kluge Marisa Flores Gonzalez Emily Rafferty Brandon Niese Eric Anderson PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the meeting minutes from the special called December 3, 2024, Task Force meeting. 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 contact 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. Page 1 of 2 The minutes from the December 3rd, meeting were approved on Member DIFIORE’s motion and Member MATHIS’ second on an 7-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND/OR REPORTS 2. Presentation on lessons learned and initial planning for 2029 Water Forward, Water Conservation, Drought Contingency Plan updates The presentation was made by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Program Manager III, Austin Water. 3. Update on Water Management Strategy Implementation Quarterly Report development The presentation was made by Kevin Kluge, Division Manager, Water Conservation, Austin Water. 4. Discuss Council’s proposed merger of the Water Forward Task Force with the Water and Wastewater Commission 5. Discuss Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group members Chair WALKER adjourned the meeting at 1:45pm. The minutes were approved at the April 8th, 2025, meeting on Robert Mace’s motion, Hani Michel’s second on an 6-0 vote with two vacancies. Task Force Members Sarah Faust, Madelline Mathis and Tod Bartee absent. 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 …
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 …
