Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force - Oct. 28, 2024
Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Special Called Meeting of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE October 28, 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 October 8, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS ACTION ITEMS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Review and approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Called Task Force meeting on 2. 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 Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov.
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 May 2DRAFT - 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 ............................................................................................... 8 SECTION IV: DROUGHT RESPONSE MEASURES .............................................................................................. 11 SECTION V: WHOLESALE CONTRACT PROVISIONS ........................................................................................ 20 SECTION VI: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT................................................................................................................... 20 SECTION VII: PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND EDUCATION................................................................................... 21 SECTION VIII: COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING GROUPS (RPG)............................................... 21 SECTION IX: TCEQ NOTIFICATION ...................................................................................................................... 21 SECTION X: PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATES ........................................................................................................ 21 APPENDIX A: WATER CONSERVATION CODE ................................................................................................... 22 APPENDIX B: WATER CONSERVATION PENALTY CODE ................................................................................. 59 APPENDIX C: WATER USE TRIGGERS FOR WATER USE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE .............................. 86 APPENDIX D: RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF ADOPTION OF THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN ...... 87 APPENDIX E: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN ................................... 94 APPENDIX F: TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP ..................................................... 95 APPENDIX G: PUBLIC RESPONSE TO NOVEMBER 2023 SURVEY .................................................................. 96 1 Page 1 of 136 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN City of Austin, Texas May 2024 SECTION I: DECLARATION OF POLICY, PURPOSE, AND INTENT ..................................................................... 3 SECTION II: BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 3 SECTION IV: DROUGHT RESPONSE MEASURES .............................................................................................. 15 SECTION V: WHOLESALE CONTRACT PROVISIONS ........................................................................................ 29 SECTION VI: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT................................................................................................................... 29 SECTION VII: PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND EDUCATION................................................................................... 30 SECTION VIII: COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING GROUPS (RPG)............................................... 30 SECTION IX: TCEQ NOTIFICATION ...................................................................................................................... 31 SECTION X: PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATES ........................................................................................................ 32 APPENDIX A: WATER CONSERVATION CODE ................................................................................................... 33 APPENDIX B: WATER CONSERVATION PENALTY CODE ................................................................................. 71 APPENDIX C: RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF ADOPTION OF THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN .... 110 APPENDIX D: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN ................................ 111 APPENDIX E: TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP ................................................... 120 APPENDIX F: PUBLIC RESPONSE TO NOVEMBER 2023 SURVEY ................................................................ 124 2 Page 2 of 136 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 …
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 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 …
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 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 ...... 36 APPENDIX D: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN .................................. 37 APPENDIX E: TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP ..................................................... 38 APPENDIX F: PUBLIC RESPONSE TO NOVEMBER 2023 SURVEY .................................................................. 39 Page 1 of 44 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 …
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 Page 1 of 188 May 2DRAFT - November 21, 2024 - DRAFT Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Page 2 of 188 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 3 of 188 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Table of Contents Message from the Director ...................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 5 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 ............................................................................................................................ 26 Goals for Water Use and Water Loss .................................................................................... 27 Utility Profile ........................................................................................................................... …
Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Working Group October 9, 2024 Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 10:00 am Attendees: Madelline Mathis, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Robert Mace, WFTF Matt Cullen, Austin Water Jennifer Walker, WFTF Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Vanessa Puig-Williams, WFTF Discuss 10/8 WFTF meeting content: The group further discussed the content shared at the recent 10/8 full Water Forward Task Force meeting. The topics included the water loss report, its alignment with the Water Conservation Plan, and updates to the draft Water Forward 2024 plan report. Discussion included the following: - The numbers that go into calculating water loss, comparing the gallons per connection unit with the gallons per capita unit that is in the Water Conservation Plan, and aligning the units - The Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) as a metric and using something else that is easier for stakeholders to understand and engage with - Polybutylene service lines and AW’s plan to allocate more money and resources to expedite the process of replacing those that remain in the water distribution system - Adding more visuals and graphics to the draft Water Forward plan surrounding - Apparent loss versus real loss and the importance of apparent loss to be able to the GoPurple Program measure real losses Water Forward 2024 Working Group Meeting October 2024
APPENDIX A: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY A-1 Date May-2023 Activity Survey Survey Nov-2023 Total Survey Engagement: 06/14/22 06/22/22 01/23/24 01/24/24 Total Workshop Engagement: 11/29/22 Webinar Webinar 03/29/23 Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop 04/25/24 Webinar 06/27/24 Webinar Water Forward 2024 Community Engagement Topic Community Values Water Forward 2024 Update and Water Management Strategies Engagement Water Forward 2024 Update Water Forward 2024 Update Water Management Strategies Water Management Strategies Water Forward University Water Forward University - Equity and Affordability Water Forward 2024 Update and Water Management Strategies Water Forward 2024 Update and Water Management Strategies Water Forward 2024 Update - Preferred 50-year Portfolio, Water Conservation Plan, and Drought Contingency Plan 50-Year Portfolio 120 574 694 19 43 12 32 106 21 18 8 14 25 36 122 45,052 Open House Open House 08/27/24 08/28/24 Total Webinar/Open House Engagement: Total Number of Impressions of Water Forward Related Social Media: 02/01/24 Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 1:1 Meeting w/ Austin Parks Foundation 1:1 Meeting w/ Austin Sierra Club, Save Barton Creek Association and Save our Springs Alliance Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 1:1 Meeting w/ Clean Water Action Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 1:1 Meeting w/ Earth Day Austin Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 1:1 Meeting w/ Environment Texas Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 1:1 Meeting w/ Texas Water Foundation Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability 1:1 Meeting w/ St. David's Foundation Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability 1:1 Meeting w/ Austin Justice Coalition 1:1 Meeting w/ Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 1:1 Meeting w/ DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action) 1:1 Meeting w/ DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action) 1:1 Meeting w/ Colorado River Land Trust Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability Colorado River Land Analysis Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability 05/31/24 02/29/24 05/30/24 12/20/23 02/07/24 11/29/23 12/06/23 01/04/24 01/11/24 02/14/24 12/14/23 12/11/23 03/20/24 03/15/24 07/11/24 09/12/24 10/10/24 12/15/23 1:1 Meeting w/ Hill Country Alliance, Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, and National Wildlife Federation 1:1 Meeting w/ Hill Country Alliance, Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, and National Wildlife Federation 1:1 Meeting w/ Hill Country Alliance, Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, and National Wildlife Federation 1:1 Meeting w/ Hill …
DRAFT – Water Forward 2024 Appendix B APPENDIX B: WATER FORWARD 2024 EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY ROADMAP Summary This goal of this document is to provide context about equity and affordability considerations related to water resource management in Austin and to discuss how these considerations will be included in Water Forward 2024 (WF24), the first update to Austin’s 100-year Integrated Water Resource Plan. This appendix provides key definitions, describes how WF24 evaluated the distribution of benefits and burdens of plan implementation outcomes, summarizes procedural equity best practices, and also provides historical context related to race, the environment, governmental policies, and water resources in Austin. Water Forward Overview Austin Water is committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality and affordable water services to all water users in our community. The purpose of the Water Forward plan is to develop and implement diverse and environmentally conscious water management strategies to adapt to growth, drought, and climate change and ensure a sustainable, resilient, equitable, and affordable water future for our community for the next 100 years. As part of the 2024 plan update, Austin Water seeks to be intentional in considering equity and affordability impacts in the plan development process and in implementation of plan strategies. Austin Water recognizes the importance of an equity framework rooted in an understanding of historic discriminatory and exclusionary practices that may have contributed to certain present day inequities in qualityof life outcomes for communities of color and low-income communities. Staff have compiled key definitions, historical information, and stakeholder feedback to guide and support the creation of an Equity and Affordability framework for the Water Forward 2024 plan update. Definitions Equity The City of Austin Equity Statement is as follows: “Racial equity is the condition when race no longer predicts a person’s quality of life outcomes in our community. The City recognizes that race is the primary determinant of social equity and therefore we begin the journey toward social equity with this definition. The City of Austin recognizes historical and structural disparities and a need for alleviation of the wrongs by critically transforming its institutions and creating a culture of equity.” B-1 DRAFT – Water Forward 2024 Appendix B Affordability Regarding affordability, Austin Water seeks to align with the City of Austin Strategic Direction 2023, which states: "Austinites deserve to experience the necessities of life as affordable and accessible. Simply put, this means a household can afford rent or mortgage, …
DRAFT - Water Forward 2024 Appendix C APPENDIX C: POPULATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND DEMAND PROJECTIONS Integrated water resource planning provides a blueprint that ensures residents and businesses in Austin have sustainable access to clean water now and into the future. To properly plan and manage Austin’s water resources, it is critical to have a reasonable understanding and characterization of how and where water is currently used in the city as well as quantifiable estimates of how much water will be needed in the future. Appendix C.1 describes the primary tool used to characterize and explore water demands, referred to as the Disaggregated Demand Model (DDM). Using the tool, current water use is defined, as described in Appendix C.2, and future demand is projected, as described in Appendix C.3. These sections describe the City’s water demand at the water source (diversions), at the water treatment plant (pumpage), and at the Austin Water customers’ meters (consumption). C.1 Disaggregated Demand Model The foundation of the Water Forward 2024 water demand estimates is the underlying DDM, which evaluates historical demand, population, housing units, and employment and uses projections of future population, housing units, and employment to project future demands. The DDM was used to develop a range of demands based on high, medium, and low population and employment projections. The DDM provides the analytical environment for assessing potential water savings from conservation and reuse measures being evaluated during plan development. The DDM also includes functionality to assess water demands under future climatic scenarios and tracks water consumption by end uses, which informs the assessment of yield potential for decentralized supply options. The following sections describe the model’s attributes, primary data sources, and development. C.1.1 Demand Model Attributes The DDM is a data-driven Python tool that models water use by sector, subsector, and end use at geographic planning units for current demands as well as high, medium, and low demand projections for the key planning horizons of 2040, 2080, and 2120. Austin Water staff conducted this analysis using geographic units known as the Delphi, Trends, and Imagine Austin (DTI) polygons, which refers to Austin’s comprehensive plan, Imagine Austin. The DTI polygons divide the city into 235 geographic units. The area covered by the DTI polygons includes the City of Austin’s full and limited purpose jurisdictions, as well as the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction, as shown in Figure C-1. The DDM provides an estimate of existing and future …
DRAFT – Water Forward 2024 Appendix D APPENDIX D: CLIMATE AND HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS The Water Forward 2024 (WF24) Climate and Hydrology Analysis is a set of collaborative tasks between Austin Water, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), and consultant Richard Hoffpauir, Phd, PE (Hoffpauir Consulting). The tasks within the Climate and Hydrology Analysis were developed with input from the Water Forward Climate Technical Advisory Group (CTAG). The goal of the Climate and Hydrology Analysis was to provide Austin Water with projections of temperature, precipitation, and streamflow based on various future warming pathways from General Circulation Models (GCMs), also known as global climate models. The projection data was used to develop hydrologic scenarios for modeling future water supply needs and water management strategy portfolio performance across a range of possible future conditions. The Climate and Hydrology Analysis tasks and results are documented in a series of technical memoranda which are included in this Appendix. The tasks numbers and titles are as follows: Task 2: GCM Selection Task 3: Downscaling Task 4: Hydrologic Modeling Task 5: Climate Scenario Inputs for WAM Task 6: Stochastic Drought Sequences Note that Task 1 of the Climate and Hydrology Analysis addressed project management and did not produce a technical memorandum. D-1 DRAFT – Water Forward 2024 Appendix D Summary Task 2: Selection of General Circulation Models April 2022 Prepared by: The University of Texas at Austin This report summarizes the efforts as part of the UT-CoA project for evaluation of 35 General Circulations Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) in the Colorado River Basin. The goal is to find the most appropriate models by comparing the model results with observational datasets. Statistical analysis of three variables, including precipitation, temperature, and the number of dry days, provides quantitative assessment against the observational datasets. A methodology for scoring model performance is presented. Taylor diagrams are also used for visual comparison across multiple models. Finally, best- performing GCMs are suggested for use in the future tasks. D-2 DRAFT – Water Forward 2024 Appendix D List of Acronyms CMIP Coupled Model Intercomparison Project CPC Climate Predictions Center GCM General Circulation Model (or Global Climate Model) NDD Number of Dry Days P Precipitation R Correlation coefficient T Temperature UDEL University of Delaware WAM Water Availability Model WRCP World Climate Research Program D-3 DRAFT – Water Forward 2024 Appendix D Introduction GCMs are …
DRAFT - Water Forward 2024 Appendix E APPENDIX E: PRELIMINARY NEEDS ANALYSIS Estimating Water Supply Needs Selecting water management strategies and their targeted yields first requires an estimate of the future water supply needs. For the purposes of this analysis, water supply needs are defined as water supply shortages in each decade of the Water Forward 2024 (WF24) 100-year planning period when no additional conservation, reuse, or supply are implemented. The needs in each decade are estimated using modeling and vary based on scenarios, which reflect plausible future conditions. Only existing water management strategies are included in the estimate of future water supply needs. The modeling effort used to estimate needs is known as the Preliminary Needs Analysis. Model The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Water Availability Model (WAM) is the modeling tool used to estimate future water supply needs. The WAM is a collection of model input files covering all state-granted water rights across all river basins in Texas and a generalized computer modeling platform called the Water Rights Analysis Package (WRAP). The WAM is used by state agencies, water right holders, and stakeholders to simulate water availability for a specified water management scenario through a given hydrologic sequence. Typically the WAM is used to simulate water availability during a repeat of historical hydrology which is comprised of monthly naturalized stream flows and net evaporation, generally covering the past 60 to 80 years for the state’s river basins. The following section describes the modified WAM inputs that are used to assess water availability and needs under a range of future conditions. Scenarios The Colorado River Basin WAM is modified for the Preliminary Needs Analysis. First, the WAM is modified to reflect basin-wide demands, including Austin’s demands, in future decades of the 100-year planning period. Secondly, future water supply strategies for non-Austin entities are added in the decade within which the strategy is expected to be operational. Lastly, the WAM’s hydrological inputs are also modified to include projections of future drought and climate conditions in addition to the standard historical hydrology. The pairings of future demands, regional supplies, and hydrological conditions are known as Scenarios. The scenario approach to modeling is intended to explore the range of uncertainty in each of the scenario components across the planning period. E - 1 DRAFT - Water Forward 2024 Appendix E Demands Future demand estimates by decade for Austin and customers of …
APPENDIX F: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY COST AND YIELD CHARACTERIZATION Strategy characterization and costs were developed by Plummer Associates. The Unified Cost Model, a tool developed by the Texas Water Development Board for use in the state water planning process, was used to create standardized capital, operations and maintenance, and annual costs for each strategy. F-1 DRAFT ‐ Water Forward Modeling Characterization of Water Management Strategies Name: Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Strategy description & assumptions: ASR is characterized as storage of drinking water from AW's water distribution system in an underground aquifer for recovery and use when supplies are scarce. ASR costs and operational assumptions are based on project parameters that have been developed through ASR implementation planning. The yield and storage ranges are used to test the project size against future scenarios. ASR is included in every candidate portfolio for modeling since implementation of the project has started. Modeling assumptions: Yield and storage ranges Year 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2120 Min model test annual yield (AFY) 0 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 Max model test annual yield (AFY) 0 60,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 Min model test total storage (AF) 0 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 Max model test total storage (AF) 0 60,000 120,000 180,000 240,000 300,000 360,000 Scalability assumptions Max start volume (AF) 60,000 Max decadal yield increase (AFY) 30,000 Storage assumptions Does this strategy have a modeled storage element? Other assumptions Yes Can this strategy meet needs above existing COA run‐of‐river water rights and LCRA backup contract? No DRAFT ‐ Water Forward Modeling Characterization of Water Management Strategies DRAFTF-2 DRAFT ‐ Water Forward Modeling Characterization of Water Management Strategies Cost Estimate Summary City of Austin ‐ S‐1 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) CAPITAL COST Item Estimated Cost For Facilities Primary Pump Station (74 MGD) Transmission Pipeline (66 in dia., approx. 50 miles) Well Fields (72 Wells, Pumps, and approx. 13 miles Well Field Piping) Storage Tanks (Other Than at Booster Pump Stations) Water Treatment Plant ‐ wellfield (37 MGD) Integration Point Infrastructure (10 MG GST, 74 MGD Pump Station, Yard Piping, etc) TOTAL COST OF FACILITIES Engineering and Feasibility Studies, Legal Assistance, Financing, Bond Counsel, and Contingencies (30% for pipes & 35% for all other facilities) Environmental & Archaeology Studies and Mitigation Land Acquisition/Leasing and Surveying Interest During Construction (3% for 5 years with a 0.5% ROI) x TOTAL COST OF …
APPENDIX G: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY EQUITY EVALUATION G-1 Equity and Affordability Framework Draft note sheets with scores for each strategy - attached Themes: • Water Supply Reliability: o Access to water o Infrastructure Resiliency • Public Health o Regulatory requirements o Water Quality o Environment • Accountability o Transparency o Accessibility o Community outreach and education • Affordability and Economic Impacts o Rate impacts o Growth and development o Workforce development Score summary – Potential Impacts/Benefits: • Green highlight: 5 points • Yellow highlight: 3 points • Red highlight: 1 point G-2 Draft Equity and Affordability Notes Centralized Reclaimed Themes Questions Potential Strategy Impacts/Benefits Potential Mitigation Strategies Page 1/3 Score Water Supply Reliability 1.1 Given that marginalized communities can be the most impacted by emergency situations, how does the strategy impact/benefit Austin Water’s access to water supply, especially during drought or other emergency situations? Water Supply Reliability 1.2 How does the strategy benefit Austin Water’s water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater infrastructure resilience? Water Supply Reliability 1.3 Does this strategy create an inequitable maintenance burden for Austin Water customers who are a part of marginalized communities? Potential for improved resiliency in emergencies by providing access to non-potable water from a second system source. Potential to increase access to water during drought situations if reclaimed water can be used for onsite purposes and to maintain outdoor irrigation to support community spaces. Outdoor irrigation from reclaimed in drought may provide benefit from mitigation of heat island effects. N/A Investing in centralized reclaimed system projects would expand AW's system and provide additional resilience to reclaimed water customers. N/A Possibly-- dual-plumbing for water distribution in residential buildings could result in increased maintenance requirements for owners due to additional pipe, some of which may be located in marginalized communities. However, development projects with a qualified affordable housing component are excluded from the reclaimed connection requirements. Programs to provide maintenance support, training for building management, etc. for dual plumbed systems. Water Supply Reliability 1.4 Does this strategy include energy resilience components? No significant energy resilience components. Water Supply Reliability 1.5 Can this strategy be tailored to help improve water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater service to marginalized communities? Implementation of this strategy could include a focus on bringing additional benefit to marginalized communities by providing an additional source of water (non-potable) during drought. The GoPurple program provides incentives to help projects offset costs to connect to the centralized …
DRAFT - Water Forward 2024 Appendix H APPENDIX H: COLORADO RIVER LAND ANALYSIS EVALUATION Austin Water’s Wildlands Austin Water currently protects over 48,000 acres of land through its Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) and Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) programs. Managed by the Wildland Conservation Division, these lands protect portions of the Lake Austin and Lake Travis watersheds for endangered species habitat, and areas over the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones for the long-term resilience of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Since its inception in 1998, the Water Quality Protection Lands program has been bolstered by five voter-approved bonds, totaling around $230 million, with an additional $24 million from partnerships. As part of this initiative to protect its source water, the City of Austin set a goal to keep overall impervious cover below 10% within the Source Water Protection Area, which includes the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. To help achieve this goal, it is estimated that the City of Austin would need to permanently protect approximately 100,000 acres of land. As of 2024, the City of Austin has been able to acquire permanent protections on over 45,000 acres in this area, the majority of which are managed by Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division. Austin Water will continue to protect current and future water supplies through the active management of these Wildlands. Austin Water will also continue to pursue further additions to the Water Quality Protection Lands and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve that meet those programs’ land protection priorities. Colorado River Land Analysis Austin’s drinking water supply has benefited from a landscape of rural, largely working lands throughout the Highland Lakes’ watershed. However, land use in Texas is changing rapidly as the state’s population grows. According to Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, the 20 counties in the lower Colorado basin have seen an 87% increase in population and the loss of over 108,000 acres of working lands since 1997. The working lands that remain are increasingly being subdivided into smaller and smaller parcels. These trends are likely to continue, emphasizing the need to plan for upstream water quality protection. Source Water Protection refers to the management of areas through which water travels and the regulation of activities on these lands to prevent pollution and contaminants from entering public drinking water sources. The quality and quantity of a city’s drinking water supply, as well as other …
DRAFT - Water Forward 2024 Appendix I APPENDIX I: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ASSESSMENT AND VULNERABILITY EVALUATION Selecting Water Management Strategy Portfolios The goal of the water management strategy assessment and vulnerability evaluation and selection process is to identify portfolios of water management strategies that, when combined with Austin's core water supplies from the Colorado River and Highland Lakes, will provide a robust and reliable source of water to meet Austin’s demands over the 100-year planning horizon, from 2030-2120. Austin Water has many potential water management strategies that could extend and supplement its core water supplies sourced from the Colorado River. These strategies, compiled from the list of candidates considered in Water Forward 2018 (WF18), include conservation, potable and non-potable reuse, water supply storage, and the development of new water sources. These Water Management strategies are organized into groupings, referred to as portfolios. The evaluation and selection process seeks to identify the best portfolios for Austin Water to address reliability across a wide range of future scenarios while also considering costs and other planning objectives outlined in the Guiding Principles of Water Forward 2024 (WF24). The entire process is referred to as the Water Management Strategy Analysis and Vulnerability Evaluation, or WAVE. A reliable portfolio meets Austin’s water needs over the 100-year planning horizon. These needs are modeled estimates of water supply shortages in each decade if Austin Water implemented no new water management strategies. The needs in each decade vary based on the modeling scenarios, which reflect the wide range of possible future conditions. The WAVE considers varying levels of Austin demand, of basin-wide or regional water supply development, and of climate change impacts over the 100-year planning horizon. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Water Availability Model (WAM), the state’s surface water rights model, is used to evaluate Austin water needs. Water Management Strategy Evaluation The WAVE proceeds in two components, 1) a Water Management Strategy Evaluation and 2) a Vulnerability Analysis and Adaptive Management Plan. The first component addresses the water supply needs of the first 50 years of the WF24 planning horizon, from 2030 to 2080. The water management strategy evaluation begins by considering a large number of possible portfolios for 2080. Since there are many types of water management strategies that can be combined in various ways, the number of portfolios is very large. Each potential portfolio is evaluated using a simulation modeling tool (described …
APPENDIX J: PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION The top ten candidate portfolios were evaluated as described in the following tables: • Table J-1 Water Forward 2024 Objectives and Performance Measures • Table J-2 Water Forward 2024 Objective Descriptions • Table J-3 Water Forward 2024 Performance Measure Descriptions • Table J-4 Water Forward 2024 Equity and Affordability Framework • Table J-5 Water Forward 2024 2080 Portfolios for Evaluation • Table J-6 Water Forward 2024 Raw Portfolio Evaluation Results J - 1 Table J-1 Water Forward 2024 Objectives and Performance Measures Objective Sub-Objective Performance Measure Data Source Objective Weight Sub- Objective Weight Water Supply Benefits Maximize reliability and resiliency, minimize vulnerability Water Availability Modeling results Maximize portfolio diversity Portfolio diversity score Economic Benefits Maximize cost-effectiveness Cost (lifecycle, capital, operations and maintenance) Strategy Characterization 20% 20% Equity Benefits Equity and affordability score Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Equity & Affordability Tool 8% 8% Water Availability Modeling Portfolio Characterization Water Availability Modeling Strategy Characterization Portfolio Characterization 40% 20% Minimize ecosystem impacts Net return flows Minimize net energy use Operational energy use Environmental Benefits Maximize water use efficiency Potable GPCD Minimize water quality impacts Water quality impact score Qualitative Minimize implementation and operational risk Implementation and operational risk score Qualitative Implementation Benefits Maximize water distribution and wastewater collection system resiliency System resiliency benefits Qualitative 12% 3.5% Maximize local control/local resource Volume of local and AW-controlled water resources Portfolio Characterization 35% 5% 4% 6% 6% 4% 3.5% 5% J - 2 Table J-2 Water Forward 2024 Objective Descriptions Objective Objective Description Sub-Objective Water Supply Benefits Avoid severe water shortages during drought and a variety of climate change scenarios Include diverse water management strategies that make use of all water sources Maximize portfolio diversity Maximize reliability and resiliency, minimize vulnerability Economic Benefits Evaluate affordability impacts in a holistic manner that balances near-term and long-term costs Maximize cost-effectiveness Equity Benefits Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Environmental Benefits Develop strategies that continue to protect the natural environment, including source and downstream water quality Minimize ecosystem impacts Minimize net energy use Maximize water use efficiency Minimize water quality impacts Implementation Benefits Develop strategies that are technically, socially, and economically feasible and can be implemented and operated with a manageable level of risk Develop strategies that make use of locally available and …
Water Forward 2024 Plan Report DRAFT – September 3October 21, 2024 Report Cover Page This page intentionally left blank. WATER FORWARD 2024 - DRAFT | ii Director’s Message Austin Water is doing important work to make sure Austin has a strong and reliable water supply, even as our city faces the challenges of growth, drought, and a changing climate. Over the past few years, Austin Water has put smart strategies in place that have already made a big difference. We've focused on conservation, encouraging our customers to use water wisely through recent hot and dry years. We've also launched GoPurple, a program that will expand our reclaimed water system and includes requirements and incentives for 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 to closely monitor how our plans are working and make changes as needed. This is a key part of Water Forward 2024, which provides a roadmap for Austin's water future. We've been working hand in hand with the Water Forward Task Force, a group of dedicated community members who help inform our efforts. Together, we've updated the 2018 plan, adjusted our strategies, and responded to the needs we've identified along the way. This collaborative approach has resulted in updates that not only means we're not only thinking about address today's needs but also prepareing us for tomorrow's challenges. At Austin Water, work is already underway to carry out this updated plan. We're focused on staying transparent and accountable to you, our community, as we move forward. We know that water is essential to our quality of life, and we're determined to protect this precious resource. As we look to the future, we at Austin Water hold a hopeful vision. Austin is a leader in water conservation and sustainability and we see a future where our city continues to thrive, and where …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 28, 2024 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Special Called Meeting on October 28, 2024, with Social Distancing Modifications. Chair WALKER called the meeting to order at 12:02 pm. Members in Attendance: Jennifer Walker, Chair Madelline Mathis Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Kevin Critendon Members in Attendance Remotely: Bill Moriarty Paul DiFiore Todd Bartee Sarah Faust Robert Mace, Vice Chair Austin Water Staff: Shay Ralls Roalson Teresa Lutes Kevin Kluge Marisa Flores Gonzalez Emily Rafferty Fatima Wahid Young-Hoon Jin Joseph Gonzales Sherri Kuhl Brandon Niese Matt Cullen Richard Hoffpauir Others in Attendance: Qiwen Zhang, Plummer 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 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the meeting minutes from the regular called October 8, 2024, Task Force meeting. The minutes from the October 8th, meeting were approved on Member DIFIORE’ motion and Member FAUST’s second on an 7-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND/OR REPORTS 2. 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, and Kevin Kluge, Division Manager, Water Conservation, Austin Water. VOTING ITEMS None Chair WALKER adjourned the meeting at 2:00pm. The minutes were approved at the November 4th, 2024, meeting on Robert Mace’s motion, Hani Michel’s second on an 8-0 vote with one vacancy. Task Force Members Perry Lorenz and Madelline Mathis 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 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 …
