6 - Draft letter of support for reclaimed ordinances — original pdf

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Subject: Water Forward Task Force Support for Reclaimed Water Ordinances DRAFT Dear Austin City Council, As representatives of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community (Water Forward) Task Force, we would like to convey our collective support for the reclaimed water ordinances to be considered at the March 7th City Council meeting. These ordinances include the following: • Land Development Code Amendments: Affordable housing exemptions for requirements effective 4/1/24 for onsite reuse, dual plumbing, and connections to Austin Water’s centralized reclaimed water system • City Code Chapter 15-13 Amendments: Regulation of Onsite Water Reuse Systems • Pilot Incentive Reauthorization for Fiscal Year 23-24: $500,000 per project, not to exceed • GoPurple Community Benefit Charge: Fee Amendment & Budget Amendment • Travis County Interlocal Agreement: Reclaimed connections for Travis County $5.6 million Courthouse Our endorsement stems from a long history of championing the use of reclaimed water as a key strategy in the Council-approved Water Forward 2018 plan. These forward-thinking initiatives, which are anticipated to save approximately 16 million gallons per day by 2040, demonstrate a commitment to One Water practices and are essential for the continued well-being and resilience of our community. Advancing reuse will be a key part of how Austin adapts to the challenges posed by climate change. These measures reflect an innovative approach to balance our City’s needs for reliability and resiliency, environmental sustainability, and affordability with an expected $10 million annual cost savings for customers in addition to long term water rate savings for developments using reclaimed water. It is our collective belief that embracing reclaimed water is a progressive and necessary step for Austin. The ordinances align with our shared vision for a city that leads the way in advancing reuse as an innovative and sustainable solution. We respectfully urge the City Council to adopt these ordinances. Sincerely,