AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE October 8, 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 September 19, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS ACTION ITEMS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Review and approve the meeting minutes from the Special Called Task Force meeting on 2. Presentation on water distribution system water loss report 3. Presentation on revisions to the draft Water Forward 2024 Plan, Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan reports 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 …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and Council Members THROUGH: Robert Goode, P.E., Assistant City Manager FROM: Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E., Director, Austin Water DATE: October 2, 2024 SUBJECT: Austin Water’s Water Loss Program Review As a part of Austin Water’s focus on managing our community’s water resources in a resilient and sustainable manner, we work to proactively reduce our system water losses. Austin Water employs industry best practices related to water loss control and performs well compared to peer utilities. Water loss can result from a variety of reasons, primarily water main leaks and breaks. We have multiple programs focused on detecting and repairing leaks and responding to main breaks as quickly as possible. As a part of our strategic business plan that uses Effective Utility Management strategies to meet the challenges ahead, Austin Water sought an external expert in water loss control to review our program and make recommendations for improvement. The results of this study are documented in the Water Loss Program Review, Analysis, and Optimization report. The report finds that Austin Water has comprehensive programs to track and reduce water losses, with successful performance on key water loss strategies, including rapid response times to repair leaks, a robust capital program to replace poor performing water mains, and proactive leak detection programs in both large and small diameter pipelines. The report recommends improvements and additional investment in the following areas: • • • • • • • • Implement programmatic improvements to proactive leak detection activities. Expand program currently underway to replace poor performing water service lines. Improve production meter accuracy at the water treatment plants. Strengthen data validation practices for large meters. Expand data management and analysis tools across the water loss program. Improve estimates of unbilled authorized consumption (e.g., water for flushing and firefighting). Implement training for utility staff on reducing water loss during normal operations. Evaluate creating district metering areas to pilot reducing water loss through pressure management. Page 1 of 2 A summary of the recommendations is included in the attached study. Austin Water has launched a cross-departmental team to execute these recommendations. Austin Water will develop a regular report to stakeholders on the status of these recommendations. We will discuss these findings in more detail at the Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force (aka Water Forward Task Force) on October 8 and the Water and …
WATER LOSS PROGRAM REVIEW, ANALYSIS & OPTIMIZATION BLACK & VEATCH PROJECT NO. 415677 FINAL PREPARED FOR Austin Water 1 OCTOBER 2024 2.0 Introduction and Initial Audit Analysis ..................................................................................... 2-1 AUSTIN WATER | Water Loss Program Review, Analysis & Optimization Table of Contents Abbreviations and Definitions ................................................................................................................ vi Key Terms ............................................................................................................................................. vii 1.0 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.2 3.3 1.2.1 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.3.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.3.4 2.3.5 2.3.6 2.3.7 2.3.8 2.4.1 State Audit Requirements ..................................................................................... 2-2 Determination of Real Losses .............................................................................. 2-8 Determine Authorized Consumption ................................................................... 2-6 Outline of AWWA Audit Approach ........................................................................ 2-3 Gather Data and System Information .................................................................. 2-4 Determination of Water Loss ............................................................................... 2-7 Determination of Non-Revenue Water ................................................................. 2-9 Determining Apparent Loss .................................................................................. 2-7 Determine System Input ....................................................................................... 2-5 Real Loss (Leakage) ............................................................................................. 1-3 Production Metering ............................................................................................. 1-3 AW’s Water Auditing and Loss Control Programs .............................................. 2-2 Apparent Loss ....................................................................................................... 1-3 Water Loss Audit Approach .................................................................................................. 2-2 Summary of Recommended Strategies ............................................................................... 1-2 Trends and Key Performance Indicators ............................................................................. 1-1 City of Austin System Profile ................................................................................................ 2-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 2-1 Water Loss Audit Results .................................................................................................... 2-10 Performance Indicators and Data Validity ......................................................... 2-10 Performance Indicators ...................................................................................... 2-12 Data Validity ........................................................................................................ 2-12 Mayfield ............................................................................................................... 3-10 Davis WTP Summary and Recommendations .................................................. 3-10 Ulrich WTP ........................................................................................................................... 3-12 Ullrich Low Service Pump Station ...................................................................... 3-12 Ullrich Medium Service Pump Station ............................................................... 3-13 Ullrich High Service Pump Station ..................................................................... 3-13 Ullrich WTP Summary and Recommendations ................................................. 3-13 i Davis WTP .............................................................................................................................. 3-5 Handcox WTP ........................................................................................................................ 3-1 Davis High Service Pump Station ......................................................................... 3-7 Davis Raw Water Pump Station............................................................................ 3-5 Handcox WTP Summary and Recommendations ............................................... 3-3 Davis Medium Service Pump Station ................................................................... 3-6 Handcox Raw Water Meters ................................................................................. 3-1 Handcox Finished Water Production Meter 1 ..................................................... 3-2 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3 3.3.4 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.2.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 3.1.1 3.0 Production Metering Analysis .................................................................................................. 3-1 3.1 BLACK & VEATCH | Table of Contents AUSTIN WATER | Water Loss Program Review, Analysis & Optimization 5.3 5.4 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 3.4 Water Exports ...................................................................................................................... 3-14 4.0 Apparent Loss Analysis ........................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Customer Metering Inaccuracies ......................................................................................... 4-1 Meter Testing Staffing .......................................................................................... 4-3 Meter Testing Equipment and Methodologies .................................................... 4-3 Meter Testing Reporting ....................................................................................... 4-4 4.2 Systematic Data Handling Errors ......................................................................................... 4-4 Billing Data Investigation ...................................................................................... 4-4 4.3 4.4 Unauthorized Consumption .................................................................................................. 4-5 Apparent Loss Cost ............................................................................................................... 4-6 5.0 Real Loss Analysis …
WATER LOSS PROGRAM REVIEW, ANALYSIS & OPTIMIZATION Presentation to Water Forward Task Force Andrew Chastain-Howley October 8, 2024 Report Overview 1.0 Executive Summary 2.0 Introduction and Initial Audit Analysis • City of Austin System Profile • Water Loss Audit Approach/Results • Data Validity 3.0 Production Metering Analysis 4.0 Apparent Loss Analysis • Customer Metering Inaccuracies • Systematic Data Handling Errors • Costs of Apparent Losses 5.0 Real Loss Analysis • COA Leakage Detection • Real Loss Component Analysis/Results • Costs of Real Losses 6.0 Goals and Recommended Strategies • Production Metering Strategies • Apparent Loss Strategies • Real Loss Strategies • Other Strategies KPI Real Loss (ILI) Real Loss (gal/conn/day) Apparent Loss (gal/conn/day) Data Validity 2022 AUDIT 4.1 75.60 17.40 77 2030 GOAL (THIS PROJECT) 3.0 55.60 7.40 85 AW’s Water Forward (2024) ILI Goal is 3.0 by 2040. 2 AWWA Manual M36 Water Audits and AWWA Manual M36 Water Audits and Loss Control Programs Loss Control Programs 3 Real Loss Component Analysis See Section 5.2 & Appendix A How does Austin Water’s Real Loss Compare to Other Utilities? Mains Failure Frequency Comparison Service Connection Failure Frequency Comparison ) r y / s e l i m 0 0 1 / r e b m u n ( 30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 ) r y / s n o i t c e n n o c e c i v r e s 0 0 0 1 / r e b m u n ( , 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 Failure Frequency Austin Water Department Average Failure Frequency in North America (WaterRF 4372) Failure Frequency for Optimized Distribution Systems (Friedman 2010) Failure Frequency Austin Water Department Failure Frequency for Optimized Systems (AWWA UARL) 4 Austin’s Ongoing Efforts See Sections 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 Four Pillars of Leakage Management Pressure Management Speed and Quality of Repairs Active Leakage Control Real Losses in this range are not technically recoverable Real Losses in this range are not economic to recover Economically Recoverable Annual Real Losses Pipeline and Asset Management Selection, Installation, Maintenance, Renewal, Replacement Renewing Austin Third-party proactive leakage detection AW leakage detection program 5 Austin’s Ongoing Efforts See Sections 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 Development of strategies through Austin's Water Forward program Replacing smaller meters to transition to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Meter calibration/verification and validation 6 Key Findings 1 Limitations with production piping …
Water Forward 2024 Plan Report This page intentionally left blank. DRAFT – September 3, 2024 Report Cover Page WATER FORWARD 2024 - DRAFT | 2 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 in place smart strategies 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 includes requirements and incentives for new and existing 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, which means we 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 plan, adjusted our strategies, and responded to the needs we've identified along the way. This collaborative approach means we're not only thinking about today's needs but also preparing 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 …
1 Presentation on revisions to the draft Water Forward 2024 Plan, Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan 10/8/24 Report Edits No further edits were made to the WCP/DCP in this round Water Forward 2024 edits include: • New cover page, header, footer, and water supply graphics • Ch. 4: Edits to Colorado River Land Analysis section (pp. 25-27) • Ch.5 • Additional intro language and strategy summary table (p. 28) • Updated Customer Side Water Use Management 2030 & 2040 Yields (p. 30) • Updated Native and Efficient Landscape 2030 & 2040 Yields (p. 31) • Edits to Land Conservation Strategies section (pp. 44-46) • Ch.6: Added section on 100-Year Adaptive Management Plan (pp. 48-49) Pending edits: • Completion of Executive Summary • Appendix references (and completion of appendices) • Breakout of Indirect Potable Reuse & Capture Local Inflows to Lady Bird Lake • Further grammar, spelling, readability, and formatting edits as needed Colorado River Land Analysis Overview Identifying Priority Conservation Areas in the Highland Lakes Watershed Helps understand solution geography and scale • Lake Travis drainage area is 40x that of entire Austin corporate limits! • Want/need to focus on the highest priority areas within this large basin • Some areas clearly more critical to conserve than others Rating system: consider multiple factors • Water supply: stream flows, recharge, springs, wells, AW intakes • Environmental: riparian/floodplains, impervious cover, protected lands, slopes, vegetation Combine via GIS to spatially show priority conservation areas in the Highland Lakes Watershed Central Texas and waterways of interest Rivers • • Colorado Llano • • • • Pedernales San Saba North Llano South Llano Watersheds • Middle Colorado, Brady, San Saba, Llano, North Llano, South Llano, Buchanan-LBJ Lakes, Pedernales, Lake Travis, Lake Austin Lake Austin Watershed (92 sq. mi.) Barton Springs Zone (371 sq. mi.) GIS analysis factors: scales and weights Flow Recharge Zones Springs Distance from Intakes Wells Combined Water Factors Raster Combined Water Factors Raster Riparian & Floodplain Vegetation Pavement Slopes Protected Lands Vegetation Combined Environmental Factors Raster Combined Enviro. Factors Raster Final Conservation Priority Raster Final Conservation Priority Raster 13 Colorado River Land Analysis Next Steps Further refine conservation prioritization model based on stakeholder feedback Conduct additional analysis to include economic, equity, and social factors + further watershed modeling Engage with land conservation and governmental entities; evaluate potential partnership opportunities Evaluate …
Tentative Schedule 10/9 WF24 Update Working Group Meeting • Opportunity for further discussion of WF24/WCP/DCP Late October Water Forward Task Force meeting (Date TBD) • Opportunity for further discussion of WF24/WCP/DCP 11/4 Water Forward Task Force meeting • Recommendation for Council action re: WF24/WCP/DCP 11/12 AWOC meeting • Briefing and possible action re: WF24/WCP/DCP 11/13 W/WW Commission meeting • Recommendation for Council action re: WF24/WCP/DCP 11/21 Council meeting • Consideration of WF24/WCP/DCP
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, October 8, 2024 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Regular Called Meeting on October 8, 2024, with Social Distancing Modifications. Chair WALKER called the meeting to order at 12:02 pm. Members in Attendance: Jennifer Walker, Chair Robert Mace, Vice Chair Madelline Mathis Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Chase Bryan Kevin Critendon Members in Attendance Remotely: Bill Moriarty Paul DiFiore Hani Michel Sarah Faust Vanessa Puig-Williams Austin Water Staff: Shay Ralls Roalson Teresa Lutes Kevin Kluge Marisa Flores Gonzalez Emily Rafferty Fatima Wahid Young-Hoon Jin Joseph Gonzales Sherri Kuhl Justin Bates Brandon Niese Matt Cullen Richard Hoffpauir Charles Celauro Jose Emperador 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 Dan Strub Others in Attendance: Qiwen Zhang, Plummer Brigit Buff, Plummer Curtis Smith, TNLA Cody McCann, Plummer Andrew Chastain-Howley, Black & Veatch PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. Curtis Smith gave a public comment in-person. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the meeting minutes from the special called September 19, 2024, Task Force meeting. The minutes from the September 19th, meeting were approved on Member MATHIS’ motion and Member FAUST’s second on an 8-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND/OR REPORTS 2. Presentation on water distribution system water loss report The presentation was made by Andrew Chastain-Howley, Black & Veatch, Matt Cullen, Division Manager of Engineering & Operations Support, Austin Water. 3. Presentation on revisions to the draft Water Forward 2024 Plan, Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan reports The presentation was made by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Program Manager III, Sherri Kuhl, Environmental Resource Officer, and Justin Bates, Environmental Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water. VOTING ITEMS None Chair WALKER adjourned the meeting at 2:34pm. The minutes were approved at the October 28th, 2024, meeting on Paul DiFiore’s motion, Sarah Faust’s second on an 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Task Force Members Hani Michel and Perry Lorenz and Vanessa Puig-Williams absent. …
