REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2026, AT 12 P.M. WALLER CREEK CENTER, ROOM 104 625 EAST 10TH STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community (Water Forward) Task Force may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Emily Rafferty, Emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Jennifer Walker, Chair Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Hani Michel Madelline Mathis Todd Bartee Perry Lorenz Sarah Faust Leah Martinsson AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Regular Called meeting on June 9, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. 4. Staff briefing regarding Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions. Presentation by Emily Rafferty, Program Manager, Austin Water. Staff briefing regarding Council resolution on large volume water users and related stakeholder engagement. Presentation by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Water Resources Team Supervisor; Emlea Chanslor, Chief of Staff, Austin Water. Staff briefing regarding onsite reuse, decentralized reclaimed, and centralized reclaimed. Presentation by Joe Smith, Supervising Engineer; Kane Wei, Supervising Engineer; Margaret Lake, Supervising Engineer; Katherine Jashinski, Supervising Engineer, Austin Water. 5. Staff briefing regarding highlights of Austin Water’s 2026 Q2 Report on Water Management Strategy Implementation. Presentation by Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water. ACTION ITEMS 6. Review and approve the 2027 Water Forward Task Force meeting schedule. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Emily Rafferty at Austin Water Department, at 512-972-0427 or Emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or …
Onsite Reuse, Decentralized Reclaimed, and Centralized Reclaimed Briefing Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force Meeting | October 13, 2026 Agenda Onsite Reuse Decentralized Reclaimed Centralized Reclaimed 2 Onsite Reuse Katherine Jashinski, P.E. Water Reuse Programs Supervisor GoPurple Turns Two! Austin City Council Adoption on March 7, 2024 Code Changes for Onsite Water Reuse and Reclaimed Water Connections Affordability Strategies for Reuse Projects Community Benefit Charge increase ($0.15 per thousand gallons) to fund Reclaimed Water System expansion and Onsite Reuse programs Go Purple | AustinTexas.gov 4 GoPurple Incentive Activity April 2024-March 2026 AW GoPurple Site Plan Approvals Total Number of Projects Number of Reclaimed Projects Number of Onsite Water Reuse Projects • Exempt Affordable • Vested • Paid Fee in Lieu 56 20 36 7 4 5 • On average, 10 reclaimed water projects and 10 OWRS projects approved per year (for site development permits) 5 GoPurple Incentive Activity April 2024-March 2026 Type of Reuse Project Rebate for Reclaimed Main Extension Rebate for Onsite Reuse Systems Expedited Building Permit Review Rebate No Impact Fees for Non-potable Meters Assistance with PACE Program Reclaimed water 0 Onsite water N/A N/A 0 0 2 20 20 0 0 6 GoPurple Incentive Activity April 2024-March 2026 April 2024-March 2025 April 2025- March 2026 Total Number of Projects Permitted to Construct OWRS Estimated Potable Water Savings Number of Projects Dual Plumbing and Paying Fee in Lieu Fees in Lieu Collected 5 9 14 61.9 MGY 12.2 MGY 74.1 MGY 0 0 5 5 $682,720 $682,720 7 Workforce Development: Operator Training and Certification O&M training manual for onsite water reuse systems published December 2025 Certificate exam will be completed Summer 2026 Held workshop in June 2026 with local OWRS-adjacent trade and industry groups to get feedback on structuring an Austin Community College operator training course Partnering with Capital Area Workforce Solutions to utilize their upskilling services and funding Goal is to have ACC course ready for Fall 2026 (pending contract and curriculum completion) 8 Wastewater Mining UT WaterHub Project at 90% Design Estimated to save 280 MGY once operational 9 Decentralized Reclaimed Joe Smith, P.E. Wastewater Systems Planning Supervisor Background & Terms Decentralized Reclaimed Water: Reuse of wastewater treated at the neighborhood scale Separate from the Austin's centralized wastewater and reclaimed water system Reuse of the treated water via a dual (purple) pipe …
Item 6 – Review and approve the 2027 Water Forward Task Force Meeting Schedule Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force | October 13, 2026 2027 Proposed Meeting Dates • February 9, 2027 • April 13, 2027 June 8, 2027 • • August 10, 2027 • October 12, 2027 • December 14, 2027 *All meetings are scheduled on Tuesdays from 12-2pm at Waller Creek Center
Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting Notes September 8, 2026 Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Paul DiFiore, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Sarah Faust, WFTF Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Strategies Update Marisa shared the Q2 Water Management Strategy Report and highlight presentation with the group. Task Force Member Faust asked for an update on the water budgeting timeline. Austin Water will follow up with more information on timelines for broader water budgeting originally outlined in Water Forward while continuing to work on near-term water budgeting for higher impact water users. Task Force Member Faust asked about how Austin Water is responding to Council Resolution 20260723-087 and working on a definition for a large volume customer. Marisa shared that Austin Water has been working to develop concepts related to water budgeting, defining large volume customers, among other things relating to the resolution. These concepts will be shared for initial stakeholder feedback at a planned October 5 Large Water User Policy Open House. Austin Water plans to share a stakeholder engagement plan at the December 9 CWEP meeting to outline subsequent engagement to gather more feedback on proposed policy changes in 2027. Task Force Member Faust recommended that Austin Water develop more relationships and partnerships in the area to further water supply projects, including Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Brackish Groundwater Desalination strategies. Task Force Member Faust commented on the rebate information within the conservation section of the WMS Implementation report. She noted that without seeing the amount of water saved from these rebates, it is difficult to interpret what the data means and how to compare performance quarter to quarter. Task Force Member DiFiore noted that for the Bucks for Business rebate program it would be more helpful to see how much money was provided to the entity and what the estimated yield of savings is. Task Force Member DiFiore mentioned the 5-year implementation actions for strategies within the Water Forward 2024 plan along with the annual yield targets that begin in 2030 for some strategies. He suggested a year-to-year check-in to see where the strategies are at and if they will be yielding the savings targeted by 2030.
Chief of Staff Emlea Chanslor City Manager’s Office Assistant City Manager Michael Rogers City Manager’s Office City Manager T.C. Broadnax Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. Executive Assistant Chastity Hodges Public Information Division Manager Amy Petri Enterprise Strategic Planning Manager Allison Orton Sprigg Internal Audit Division Manager Kristan Bina Office of the Director Chief Administrative Officer Heather Cooke Deputy Director Business Services Joseph Gonzales, CPA Deputy Director Technical Services Randi Jenkins Employee & Leadership Development Assistant Director Israel Custodio Financial Services Assistant Director Nabil Khazei Technology & Data Assistant Director Divya Rathanlal Resiliency Support Services Utility Chief Support Services Officer Leslie Jansen Customer Experience Assistant Director Matthew Thomas Environmental, Planning & Development Services Assistant Director Teresa Lutes, P.E.* Engineering & Technical Services Assistant Director Charles Celauro, P.E. Water Operations Assistant Director Stephanie Sue, P.E. Organizational Chart Deputy Director Operations Ayman Benyamin, P.E. Wastewater Operations Assistant Director Vacant Environmental Eng. & Technical Services Operations Manager Brian Haws, P.E. Risk Management Division Manager Andrew Olson Human Resources Services Division Manager Iliana Venegas Operational Training Division Manager Trisha Jenkins Budget & Accounting Division Manager Songli Floyd, CPA Financial Management Division Manager Christina Romero Supply Chain Management Division Manager Jonathan Dalchau Warehouse & Inventory Management Division Manager Alberto Sanchez* Facility Management Division Manager Melvin Frasier, Jr. Security Management Division Manager Rick Verardi Emergency Management Division Manager Richard Beaman Digital Water Intelligence & Experience IT Manager Sr Julia Robbins Digital Water Engineering & Operations IT Manager Sr Jeremy Read Cyber Physical Infrastructure IT Manager Gaebriel Hernandez Technology Strategy & Portfolio Management IT Manager Jocelyn Schutte Enterprise Architecture IT Enterprise Architect Sr Ed Haycock Water Meter Operations Division Manager Michael Keating Utility Compliance Services Division Manager Jay Porter AMI Program Operations Manager Daniel Layton, P.E. Customer Experience Operations Manager Marcia Brooks Customer Account Relations Office Manager Ryan Forsyth Customer Service Contact Center Division Manager Sandra Rogerio Customer Insights & Solutions Division Manager Shana Riviello Utility Permitting Office Manager Rio Petroff Key Accounts Office Manager Marilyn Toliver Facility Engineering Division Manager Lauren King, P.E. Water Treatment Operations Manager Julie Hollandsworth* Water Distribution Operations Manager Scott Morrow Wastewater Treatment Operations Manager Agmed Weber Infrastructure Management Division Manager Martin Tower, P.E. Systems Planning Division Manager Teresa Lutes, P.E. Pipeline Engineering & Operations Support Division Manager Brent Bassett, P.E. Water Treatment Plants Division Manager Julie Hollandsworth Hornsby Bend & Remote Facilities Division Manager Ash Bledsoe Wastewater Treatment Plants Division …
Large Water User Policy Open House Austin Water is preparing for the future by strengthening our policies for responsible water use. 17 Austin Water is Working Today to Prepare for Tomorrow. Water Forward Austin Water’s 100-year water resource plan, Water Forward, is approved by Council and protects our water supply with strategies that respond to growth, drought and climate change. Reclaimed (Recycled) Water Since 1974, Austin Water has expanded our reclaimed (recycled) water system to deliver highly treated wastewater through purple pipes for uses like irrigation and industrial cooling. Conservation Austin Water delivers year-round initiatives to reduce customer demand and improve efficiency across our water system, including: public education, incentives, water use compliance, regulatory inspections and water loss management. COLORADO RIVERUllrichWater Treatment PlantDavis Water Treatment PlantHandcox Water Treatment PlantLAKE AUSTINLAKE BUCHANANLADY BIRD LAKETom Miller DamLonghorn DamMansfield DamLAKE TRAVISWalnut CreekWastewater Treatment PlantSouth Austin RegionalWastewater Treatment PlantLower Colorado River& Highland LakesCentralized Reclaimed SystemAustin’s drinking water comes from the Colorado River and Highland Lakes. This supply totals about 325,000 acre-feet a year, or 106 billion gallons. Annual water use is currently about 175,000 acre-feet. Austin’s Drinking Water Supply 2025 Total Water Use in Austin 2025 Reclaimed (Recycled) and Potable (Drinking) Combined Water Use City of Austin • 1.4% High Impact • City of Austin • 2.2% Wholesale • 5.8% Residential • 60.1% High Impact • Commercial • 10.2% Commercial • 20.3% 1 DRAFT Definition of High Impact Water Users Austin Water has developed this draft definition of high impact water users: “High impact water user” means one or more commercial buildings* on one or more parcels in accordance with a phased plan or approved site plan, with historical or projected water use above 85 million gallons per year**, including potable and non-potable water. *Including industrial and manufacturing facilities **Aligns with current large volume water use threshhold High Impact Water Users would be subject to new requirements, including: Separate Application process for new developments Water Budgeting requirements for new and existing high impact water users Water Conservation Plan requirements for new and existing high impact water users Annual Reporting requirements for new and existing high impact water users 2 Give us your feedback! Definition of High Impact Water Users 1 2 3 Does the proposed volume threshold of 85 million gallons per year seem appropriate? Should both potable (drinking) water and reclaimed (recycled) water use be considered to determine if a customer is a …
Water Management Strategy Implementation REPORT Second Quarter 2026, April - June August 12, 2026 Contents Second Quarter Summary Water Conservation Updates Water Loss Reduction Updates Reclaimed Water and Onsite Reuse Updates Conservation Outreach Updates Water Supply Project Updates Water Use and GPCD Notes Regarding Data 2 Second Quarter Introduction The Water Management Strategy Implementation Report is intended to provide transparency and accountability regarding the execution of strategies from the 2024 Water Conservation Plan and the 2024 Water Forward Plan. The plans include proactive and substantial demand management strategies and innovative local supply strategies, but the hard work necessary to complete the strategies and meet the goals are illustrated in the implementation reports. Spring is a busy time for community engagement, particularly in-person events and media spots, as residents prepare landscapes for the summer. 51,000 feet of large-diameter leak detection Three reclaimed water projects move into the construction phase 2026 Texas Water conference, Austin Water received awards for: Publications, Austin Water’s Strategic Plan Digital Content, Austin Water Social Media Water Conservation, Landscape Transformation for New Single-Family Homes 3 Water Conservation Updates Staff attended 17 community events across the city to promote water conservation rebates and activities in Q2 Landscape Transformation Strategy Texas Water 2026 Water Conservation Award New pressure-reducing irrigation components added to mandatory irrigation inspections Enforcement of the 50% limitation of irrigation systems in new homes to be developed as a Rule (posting in October) Rebate application and enforcement processes transferred to Austin Water’s customer management system for better integration and customer support 4 Water Conservation Metrics Residential Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Drought Survival Tools Irrigation Upgrades Rainwater Harvesting Rebates WaterWise Landscape WaterWise Rainscape Other Residential Programs Q2 2025-Q1 2026 Q2 2026 5 Water Conservation Metrics Commercial Rebate Programs 5 4 3 2 1 0 Approved Rebates 4 3 2 1 1 Bucks for Business Q2 2025-Q1 2026 Q2 2026 6 Water Conservation Metrics Compliance Assessments Number of Compliant Commercial Facilities Number of Compliant Commercial Facilities 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Landscape Irrigation Assessment Cooling Tower Assessment Vehicle Wash Assessment Q2 2025-Q1 2026 Q2 2026 Q2 2025-Q1 2026 Q2 2026 7 Water Conservation Strategy Milestones (Water Conservation …
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force Meeting | October 13, 2026 Highland Lakes Inflows Highland Lakes Inflows Average 1942 - Present Average 2008 - 2015 2025 Jan.-Sep. 2026 t e e F - e r c A 800,000 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Combined Storage of Lakes Buchanan and Travis January 1, 2005 through October 1, 2026 2.0M ac-ft Full Storage 0.6M ac-ft Interruptible stored water for non-Garwood agricultural operations was not provided by LCRA in 2012 through 2015 and beginning with the second growing season of 2022 through 2025. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 3 t e e f - e r c a , e g a r o t S 2,200,000 2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 U.S. Drought Monitor 4 NOAA 3-month Outlook: November – January The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. 5 NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast El Niño continues to strengthen, with a strong-to- very strong El Niño likely through January – March 2027 (remaining greater than 83% chance). 6 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections 7 Questions? 8
