Backup_250513 WF24 Implementation Working Group Meeting Notes — original pdf

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Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group May 13, 2025 Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Paul DiFiore, WFTF Hani Michel, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Jennifer Walker, WFTF Water Forward 2024 Water Management Strategies Update ASR Update Marisa Flores Gonzalez provided an update on the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project and recapped related Legislative updates. Marisa went over the original planned timeline for the ASR project. • Phase 1a - Desktop Study to identify most viable location for the project (2021-late 2023) • Phase 1b – Exploratory drilling and field testing. Will involve drilling test wells and conducting water quality testing in a laboratory setting. (Not started) • Phase 2 – Pilot ASR testing. Will involve injecting drinking water into a well to test water quality, operational, and other parameters. (Not started) • Phase 3 – Full scale ASR design and construction. (Not started) Marisa shared that AW completed the preliminary analysis desktop study analysis in late 2023. The team identified a potential location for field testing. Austin Water had begun initial community engagement regarding the proposed ASR project in 2022. Following feedback, outreach was paused in late 2023 to ensure communication proceeded in appropriate stakeholder order. In December of 2024, House Bill 1523 was filed by Representative Stan Gerdes that would prohibit an Austin Water ASR project within the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District jurisdiction. A working group was created by Representative Gerdes that included City of Austin and Bastrop stakeholders, including Bastrop County officials, City of Bastrop officials, utility providers, and the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District. This group began meeting on April 7th to discuss creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and share technical information related to the desktop study and the City of Austin’s plans for field testing. Marisa shared that there will be another working group meeting on May 19th to continue to discuss the MOU and partnership framework. The priorities of these discussions include safeguarding the aquifer and learning about desired community benefits in Bastrop County. A public hearing was held on April 23, 2025 regarding HB 1523. Austin Water Director, Shay Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting May 2025 Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group May 13, 2025 Meeting Notes Ralls Roalson provided testimony. Stakeholders from Bastrop County also provided testimony. Austin Water provided a markup for House Bill 1523. The Bill markup led to an amended version of the Bill, which was voted on and passed out of the House of Representatives on May 12, 2025. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting May 2025