Backup_Summary_of_Task_Force_Member_Comments — original pdf

Backup

DRAFT Strategies with Cost and Yield Estimates Consolidated Strategy No. Consolidated Strategy Description Category & Next Steps WF 24 Applicability Cost ($/AF/yr) Yield (AF/yr) Staff Response 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Increase outdoor water restrictions in all stages of drought in the DCP, including possible elimination of all outdoor water use in Stage 5 of the DCP. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Short-term N/A Yield estimate for restricting drip irrigation TBD. Amend the DCP to restrict drip irrigation as automatic irrigation in all stages (required by LCRA in Stage 4). Continue to improve irrigator engagement and expand the current enforcement capabilities. Consider benefit of patio misters. Short-term N/A Staff recommendation is not to include changes to patio mister hours in the DCP. 0.18 acre feet of water per year estimated to be used by patio misters per location Analyze and potentially limit the number of new pool permits and rules for refilling. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Expand existing reuse ordinance to require all new industrial users to connect to the reclaimed system or utilize onsite reuse. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Short-term N/A Long-term TBD 0.025 acre feet of water per year estimated to be used per pool Staff recommendation is not to include additional moratoriums on pool permits as part of the DCP (beyond what is already included in Stage 4). Staff may revisit this in future DCPs, to include evaluation of pool size, etc. 2040: 7,400 acre feet per year 2080: 13,000 acre feet per year Staff recommendation is to further evaluate feasibility of requiring all new industrial users to connect to the reclaimed system or utilize onsite reuse. Connect the Travis County Courthouse to the reclaimed system. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Long-term Costs are included in current CIP projects to expand the centralized reclaimed water system. Approximately 2 acre feet per year (Estimate based on 2023 billing data) Evaluate and consider connecting the State Capital Complex to the reclaimed system. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Long-term Costs are included in current CIP projects to expand the centralized reclaimed water system. 133 acre feet per year (Estimate based on building square footage and lawn area) Evaluate and consider connecting the UT campus to the reclaimed system. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Long-term Costs are included in current CIP projects to expand the centralized reclaimed water system. Approximately 300 acre feet per year (Estimate based on 2023 billing data) Staff recommend including a sentence in the WCP to say that staff are continuing to connect customers to the centralized reclaimed water system, such as the Travis County Courthouse, State Capitol Complex, and UT. Staff do not recommend including additional savings from these strategies to achieve a reduced GPCD since these savings are already included in projected reclaimed water savings contributing to current GPCD goals. Staff recommend including a sentence in the WCP to say that staff are continuing to connect customers to the centralized reclaimed water system, such as the Travis County Courthouse, State Capitol Complex, and UT. Staff do not recommend including additional savings from these strategies to achieve a reduced GPCD since these savings are already included in projected reclaimed water savings contributing to current GPCD goals. Staff recommend including a sentence in the WCP to say that staff are continuing to connect customers to the centralized reclaimed water system, such as the Travis County Courthouse, State Capitol Complex, and UT. Staff do not recommend including additional savings from these strategies to achieve a reduced GPCD since these savings are already included in projected reclaimed water savings contributing to current GPCD goals. DRAFT Strategies with Cost and Yield Estimates Consolidated Strategy No. Consolidated Strategy Description Category & Next Steps WF 24 Applicability Cost ($/AF/yr) Yield (AF/yr) Staff Response 8 9 10 Perform an analysis and consider expanding the voluntary reclaimed water rebate. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Long-term Up to $6,500 per acre foot per year Aproximately 27 acre feet per year Staff will continue to revisit reclaimed rebate program design to encourage further uptake. Staff do not recommend including additional savings from this strategy to achieve a reduced GPCD since these savings are already included in projected reclaimed water savings contributing to current GPCD goals. Consider providing cost- sharing or additional incentives to promote onsite reuse in low-income housing. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Long-term TBD Up to 171 AFY assuming 100% participation Recent GoPurple incentives apply to low-income housing projects. Some low-income projects are exempt from water reuse requirements eligible for GoPurple incentives. Expand CII ordinances to include upgraded standards and requirements for reclaimed water. Water Conservation Strategy - Will be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Incorporated already 0 Incorporated into WF24 as passive conservation and as part of reclaimed estimates. Staff will update the WCP to include information regarding the recently-approved Go Purple requirements and incentives for reclaimed water. No additional ordinance changes are recommended during this revision, but staff will continue to consider actionable requirements. The City is in the process of adopting the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) which includes more efficient standards, and the yield of this update has been incorporated into WF24 as passie conservation. 11 Increase enforcement efforts. Short-term 0 0 Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in DCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Incorporated already See Strategy 13 - Customer-Side Water Use Management from WF24 for details (No additional cost or yield) See Strategy 13 - Customer-Side Water Use Management from WF24 for details (No additional cost or yield) Austin Water will continue to add temporary enforcement staff as the Drought Stage and situation warrants. DRAFT Strategies for Further Austin Water and Water Forward Task Force Discussion Consolidated Strategy No. Consolidated Strategy Description Category & Next Steps WF 24 Applicability Expand public oversight into the SER process, especially regarding new large industrial users. Policy Decision - Will be discussed and considered Not Applicable Increase resources for voluntary water budgeting and implement mandatory water budgeting sooner. Related to existing Customer Side Data-Driven Water Use Management strategy - Comments will be considered in evaluation of strategy Incorporated already 14 Expand water loss program. Related to existing Utility-Side Water Loss Control strategy - Comments will be considered in evaluation of strategy Long-term Expand onsite reuse ordinances to include smaller buildings. Related to existing Onsite Reuse strategy -Comment is already incorporated into evaluation of strategy Incorporated already Allow splash pads to continue operation in Stage 4 of the DCP. Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in DCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Short-term Develop an education campaign to better promote knowledge of watering days. Incorporated already Provide follow-up information after MyATX meters are installed. Incorporated already Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in WCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in WCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Page 1 of 3 12 13 15 16 17 18 DRAFT Strategies for Further Austin Water and Water Forward Task Force Discussion Consolidated Strategy No. Consolidated Strategy Description Category & Next Steps WF 24 Applicability 19 20 21 22 23 Increase public outreach and education, possibly partnering with community organizations, to residential irrigation customers, nurseries, landscapers, and general AW customers, among others. Consider increasing budget for these programs as needed. Incorporated already Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in WCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in WCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Develop an public-facing SOP for incentive programs. Incorporated already Create a workforce development program to train landscapers on native plants and provide resources to those professionals, such as drawings, certification, and plant information. Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in WCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Incorporated already Expand outreach to existing developments near the reclaimed system to promote connection. Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in WCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Not Applicable Exempt essential household use from drought surcharge Best Management Practice - Will be considered for possible inclusion in DCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Short-term Will be considered for possible action/inclusion in WCP; will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Page 2 of 3 24 Reporting General Comments Not Applicable DRAFT Strategies for Further Austin Water and Water Forward Task Force Discussion Consolidated Strategy No. Consolidated Strategy Description Category & Next Steps WF 24 Applicability 25 None - Editorial Comments None - General Comment Editoral Comments -Will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Not Applicable General Comments -Will not be evaluated for potential water savings/cost Not Applicable Color coded feedback on water usage in My ATX Water portal Currently being implemented. Not Applicable Develop a fog harp system for Austin. Not Applicable Likely insubstantial yield - will not be evaluated further for water savings/yield 26 27 28 Page 3 of 3