4_Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Brackish Groundwater Desalination Field Testing and Community Engagement — original pdf

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Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Brackish Groundwater Field Testing and Community Engagement Austin Water | 4/14/2026 Agenda  Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) & Brackish Groundwater Desalination Field Testing  Current Status  Contracting Pathways  Preliminary Activities Overview  Field Testing and Drilling Overview  2026 Community Engagement Strategy  Next Steps 2 ASR and Brackish Current Status  Early Site Planning  AW is considering several City-owned properties in eastern Travis County for potential test well sites  AW is working closely with other City departments to collaborate on plans for City- owned land 3 Contracting Pathway: Two-Scope Approach  Scope 1 – Preliminary Activities  Covers early desktop study updates, environmental and cultural analyses, and permitting activities  Does not include test well drilling  Will use existing allocated funds  Can be approved administratively by City staff  Scope 2 – Field Testing & Drilling  Covers test well drilling, sample collection, laboratory testing, and brackish evaluation  Will require City Council action, anticipated in May, to authorize additional funding for expanded scope 4 Preliminary Activities Overview  Analysis of Project Locations in Travis County  A more detailed hydrogeological desktop study of potential project locations in Travis County  Environmental Desktop Study  Will identify environmental constraints and outline permitting needs at potential well sites  Test-Well Site Selection Timeline  Using results from the hydrogeological and environmental analyses, we will advance toward selecting specific test well locations  Current draft schedule: complete test well site selection by Fall 2026  Ongoing Interdepartmental Coordination  Coordination with City departments will continue throughout Phase 1B kickoff and test well site selection 5 Field Testing and Drilling Overview  Field testing will include:  Exploratory test wells drilled at two potential locations (Trinity-Hosston aquifer formations)  Pump tests, geophysical logging, water quality analysis, and geochemical compatibility studies  Coordination with environmental, permitting, and cultural resource requirements  Test wells converted into long-term monitoring installations  Preliminary Timeline  Fall 2026: Test well design, environmental, and permitting tasks  Spring 2027: Test well drilling, sample collection, and laboratory analysis  Spring 2028: Complete Phase 1B plan report, start Phase 2 ASR pilot well design, and prepare for TCEQ ASR pilot authorization 6 Community Engagement Purpose  Raise Awareness: Help secure Austin’s water future and raise awareness about AW water supply projects, including Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) and Brackish Groundwater Desalination  Proactive Engagement and Education: Have a proactive community engagement approach that builds community support for water supply strategies  Partnerships and Trust: Form strong partnerships with stakeholders who will support Austin Water and advocate with us 7 2026 Community Engagement Strategy Phase 1: Jan – May 2026 Internal & Early Stakeholder Engagement Phase 2: May – Sept 2026 Phase 3: Oct – Dec 2026 Broader Community Outreach Field Testing Milestones • Focus • Focus • Introduce Eastern Travis County water supply project to stakeholders • Broaden community support for Austin’s water supply projects • Share updates on analyses and other initial work • Activities • Engage City of Austin partner • Activities departments • Early communication with elected officials • Outreach to Eastern Travis County groups, environmental orgs, and water providers • Tentative: Fall Open Houses • Outreach to environmental groups, neighborhood associations, large customers, business groups, and regional water entities • Focus • Communicate key project milestones for field testing • Activities • Communicate site prep work such as access roads and drill rig mobilization as needed 8 Future Steps  May 2026: Seek Commission and Council approval for additional authorization to support field testing and drilling  Establish an ASR and Brackish Technical Advisory Group to review testing plans and results  Test groundwater and core samples to better understand existing conditions  Use test results to plan safe treatment steps and protect the aquifer  Share findings with advisors, community partners and the public 9 Questions and Discussion Austin Water | 4/14/2026