AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE October 14, 2025 --12:00pm Hybrid Regular Called Meeting Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. The first 10 speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns not on the agenda. To register, contact Emily Rafferty at emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, item number(s) they wish to speak on if applicable, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Voting Members: Bill Moriarty Sarah Faust Hani Michel Perry Lorenz Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Innovation Office: Daniel Culotta Office of Climate Action and Resilience: Zach Baumer Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Ramesh Swaminathan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Called Task Force meeting on June 10, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Update on Austin Water’s water distribution system water loss and mitigation 4. Presentation of Q2 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report ACTION ITEMS 5. Review and approve the 2026 Water Forward Task Force meeting schedule FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURN The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Liaison, Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. …
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force Meeting | October 14, 2025 Highland Lakes Inflows 2 0100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000600,000700,000800,000JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecAcre-FeetHighland Lakes InflowsAverage 1942 - PresentAverage 2008 - 20152024Jan.-Sep. 2025 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage 3 0200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,0001,200,0001,400,0001,600,0001,800,0002,000,0002,200,00020052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027Storage, acre-feetCombined Storage of Lakes Buchanan and TravisJanuary 1, 2005 through October 1, 20250.6M ac-ft2.0M ac-ft Full StorageInterruptible stored water for non-Garwood agricultural operationswas not provided by LCRA in 2012 through 2015 and beginning with the second growing season of 2022 through 2025. 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 ▪ La Niña conditions are present and are favored to persist through December 2025 – February 2026. ▪ A transition to ENSO-neutral is likely in January – March 2026 (55% chance). 6 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections 7 Questions? 8
Water Loss and Mitigation Briefing Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force | Oct. 14, 2025 Matt Cullen, P.E. Agenda • • • • Overview Water Loss Factors – 2023-2024 Actions to Reduce Water Loss Next Steps Overview Austin Water’s water distribution system includes: 4,018 miles of pipeline Pipes range in size from 2-inch to 84-inch diameter Our multi-pronged approach to reduce sources of water loss: On-going participation in industry best practices and innovations Fast response to reported leaks Infrastructure renewal investments Proactive leak detection 3 Water Loss Trends & Goals 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY13 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) WF Goals 4 Water Loss & ILI Terms ILI is an industry performance indicator calculated as the ratio of Current Annual Real Losses to Unavoidable Annual Real Losses Real Losses: Water lost from system leaks and pressure-related issues. Unavoidable Annual Real Losses: The theoretical minimum level of water loss through all feasible leakage control efforts, regardless of cost. Unavoidable Loss is based on system-specific factors: miles of water mains number of service connections average annual system pressure Apparent Losses: Water that is distributed to a user but isn't accurately measured or billed. Results in lost revenue rather than a physical loss of water. 5 Water Loss Factors 2023 – 2024 30% increase in calculated water loss attributed to: Improvement in production flow measurement (0.5-1.0 billion gallons, or a 7-14% increase) Updated reporting of municipal water use (0.816 billion gallons, or an 11% increase) Increased “Real” Real Loss (0.376-0.876 billion gallons, or a 5-12% increase) 6 Actions to Reduce Water Loss In 2023, Black & Veatch was contracted to analyze our Water Loss Program The final 2024 Black & Veatch Report offered 32 recommendations: 9 are Complete or Operationalized 15 are In Progress 8 prerequisite items are In Progress 7 Leak Detection Practices Evaluate entire system every 6 years Explore more targeted approaches Continue large diameter leak detection & condition assessment Complete leak detection SOPs that include: Contract standards Data management Ongoing staff training Piloting new technologies Inspecting ARV’s, valves & vaults …
Water Management Strategy Implementation REPORT Water Forward Task Force October 14, 2025 Second Quarter 2025, April - June August 2025 Contents 2 First Quarter Summary Notes Regarding Data Water Conservation Updates Water Loss Reduction Updates Reclaimed Water and Onsite Reuse Updates Conservation Outreach Updates Water Supply Project Updates Water Use and GPCD Second Quarter Summary The second quarter of the year (April – June) transitions from the drier winter to one of the wettest months of the year in May. Implementation efforts also transition to meet changing conditions and environments. Landscape water conservation expands for existing and new homes. Increased leak detection for small-diameter pipes. Additional reclaimed customers and usage, while approving onsite reuse permits for future development. Expanded public outreach with springtime messaging. Planning for the aquifer storage and recovery project continued, as well as an emergency implementation plan for indirect potable reuse. Water Conservation Updates Council approved Uniform Plumbing Code with 3 local amendments that implement the Water Forward 2018 Landscape Transformation strategy: • Irrigation pressure reduction components • Limitation of the size of automatic irrigation systems • Requirement of laundry to landscape plumbing Residential landscape rebates – 140% increase over 2024 year to date Staff completed water efficiency audits on 6 City of Austin facilities; immediate action at one facility lowered irrigation consumption by 88% and total use by 21% 4 Water Conservation Metrics Residential Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 5 Drought Survival Tools Irrigation Upgrades Rainwater Harvesting Rebates WaterWise Landscape WaterWise Rainscape Other Residential Programs Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Water Conservation Metrics Commercial Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 5 4 3 2 1 0 6 Bucks for Business Other Commercial Programs Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Water Conservation Metrics Compliance Assessments Number of Compliant Commercial Facilities Number of Compliant Commercial Facilities 3,200 3,180 3,160 3,140 3,120 3,100 3,080 3,060 3,040 3,020 7 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Landscape Irrigation Assessment Cooling Tower Assessment Vehicle Wash Assessment Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q2 2024-Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Water Conservation Strategy Milestones 2025 Milestones Commercial Incentives Progress Pilot an increased rebate for commercial water use audits. Identify opportunities for CII facility owners/managers to benefit from the My ATX Water alerts and information. Landscape transformation Coordinate with COA Development Services Department …
Item 5 – Review and approve the 2026 Water Forward Task Force Meeting Schedule Austin Water | Water Forward Task Force | October 14, 2025 2026 Proposed Meeting Dates • February 10, 2026 • April 14, 2026 June 9, 2026 • • August 11, 2026 • October 13, 2026 • December 8, 2026 *All meetings are scheduled on Tuesdays from 12-2pm at Waller Creek Center
Water Forward Task Force: Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group September 9, 2025, Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Paul DiFiore, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Bill Moriarty, WFTF Daniel Cavazos, Austin Water Hani Michel, WFTF Katherine Jashinski, Austin Water Jennifer Walker, WFTF Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Strategies Update Marisa Flores Gonzalez provided a brief update on community engagement activities in Bastrop County related to the Aquifer Storage Recovery project. Austin Water is continuing to work on Indirect Potable Reuse emergency implementation planning, with the goal of having a draft report in early 2026. There are four different consultants working on the project components of the Indirect Potable Reuse project. The Water Resources team is still working on preliminary planning for use of Lake Long as a water supply reservoir, brackish groundwater desalination, and direct potable reuse. Water Forward 2024 Water Conservation Strategies Update Daniel Cavazos provided an update on the following water conservation activities: • Austin Water is continuing implementation of the Universal Plumbing Code (UPC) and have been doing community outreach with stakeholders. These codes pertaining to water conservation can be found at the document linked here and brief descriptions are listed below: o 614.1.9 and 614.10 – related to new water pressure regulating components o 614.1.1 – limits irrigation systems to 50% of the landscape area o 1503.10 – requires laundry to landscape plumbing for new homes • Residential landscape rebates increased over 2024 year to date. • Austin Water staff completed water efficiency audits on six City of Austin facilities. Auditors found issues with one facility and made corrections that were able to lower irrigation consumption by 88%. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting September 2025 • Austin Water is working on a conservation community grant program to work with the community to financially support community-based conservation messaging and outreach. The total amount of the grant program would be $15,000 with a total of up to 5 recipients and up to $3,000 per recipient. Water Forward 2024 Water Reuse Update Katherine Jashinski provided an update on water reuse activities highlighted in the Q2 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report. Katherine shared that this year has been largely focused on program development of onsite water reuse and new reclaimed water connection requirements. In March of 2025, a new wastewater billing ordinance was adopted to be able to calculate wastewater billing …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE August 12, 2025 --12:00pm Hybrid Regular Called Meeting Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. The first 10 speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns not on the agenda. To register, contact Emily Rafferty at emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, item number(s) they wish to speak on if applicable, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Voting Members: Bill Moriarty Sarah Faust Hani Michel Perry Lorenz Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Innovation Office: Daniel Culotta Office of Climate Action and Resilience: Zach Baumer Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Ramesh Swaminathan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Called Task Force meeting on June 10, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Update on Austin Water’s water distribution system water loss and mitigation FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURN The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Liaison, Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov.
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE June 10, 2025 --12:00pm Hybrid Regular Called Meeting Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. The first 10 speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns not on the agenda. To register, contact Emily Rafferty at emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, item number(s) they wish to speak on if applicable, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Voting Members: Bill Moriarty Sarah Faust Hani Michel Perry Lorenz Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Innovation Office: Daniel Culotta Office of Climate Action and Resilience: Zach Baumer Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Ramesh Swaminathan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Called Task Force meeting on April 8, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Presentation of Q1 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURN The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Liaison, Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov.
Water Management Strategy Implementation REPORT First Quarter 2025, January – March Water Forward Task Force June 10, 2025 Contents 2 First Quarter Summary Notes Regarding Data Water Conservation Updates Water Loss Reduction Updates Reclaimed Water and Onsite Reuse Updates Conservation Outreach Updates Water Use and GPCD Water Supply Project Updates First Quarter Summary The sustainability of Austin’s water supply is critical to the City’s future. This is the first quarterly report on implementation of water management strategies in the 2024 Water Conservation and Water Forward Plans. Austin Water has committed to this regular reporting to provide the latest information for stakeholders to understand our progress. In the first quarter of Calendar Year 2025, Austin Water initiated many bedrock tasks of water management strategies, including this new process of reporting. Notes Regarding Data Quarterly reporting of strategy implementation is a groundbreaking effort undertaken by Austin Water. Several important metrics require both explanation and development. Some metrics will be available in future quarterly reports. Quarterly Data – All quarterly data should be considered preliminary and draft, subject to adjustment and revision at the end of the year and included in the annual report. Historical Data – Where possible, 2024 quarterly metrics are included for reference with the 2025 first quarter metrics. Not all metrics have historical data. Yield of Strategies – Estimated volumetric yields from strategies are included in the Water Conservation Plan (2029 and 2034) and the Water Forward Plan (2030). Austin Water is working to identify the volumetric yields of strategies as they are being implemented and report them in future reporting. 4 Water Conservation Updates New single family residential irrigation inspections started in October 2024 3 Commercial/Institutional water audits conducted with pre-approved Bucks for Business applications Commercial water audit training: 2 staff members were certified and local utilities are working to bring the training to Central Texas WaterWise Landscape and Rainscape applications increased by 900% and 350% respectively between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 5 Water Conservation Metrics Residential Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 6 Drought Survival Tools Irrigation Upgrades Other Residential Programs Rainwater Harvesting Rebates WaterWise Landscape WaterWise Rainscape Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Water Conservation Metrics Commercial Rebate Programs Approved Rebates Approved Rebates 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 …
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Average 1942 - Present Average 2008 - 2015 2024 Jan.-May 2025 Highland Lakes Inflows Highland Lakes Inflows t e e F - e r c A 250,000 225,000 200,000 175,000 150,000 125,000 100,000 75,000 50,000 25,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Combined Storage of Lakes Buchanan and Travis January 1, 2005 through June 1, 2025 2.0M ac-ft Full Storage 1.4M ac-ft, DCP Stage 1 0.9M ac-ft, DCP Stage 2 0.75M ac-ft, DCP Stage 3 0.6M ac-ft, DCP Stage 4 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 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 U.S. Drought Monitor NOAA 3-month Outlook: July – Sep The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast ENSO-neutral is favored through the Northern Hemisphere through the Summer of 2025. 74% chance of ENSO- neutral in June-August 2025, chances exceeding 50% through August- October 2025. Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections Questions?
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 …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, June 10, 2025 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Regular Called Meeting on June 10, 2025, with Social Distancing Modifications. Chair WALKER called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm. Members in Attendance: Jennifer Walker, Chair Paul DiFiore Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Kevin Critendon, Austin Water Chase Bryan, Housing Department Kathleen Garrett, Austin Energy Zach Baumer, Office of Climate Action and Resilience Members in Attendance Remotely: Hani Michel Bill Moriarty Perry Lorenz Sarah Faust Todd Bartee Austin Water Staff: Teresa Lutes Marisa Flores Gonzalez Emily Rafferty Brandon Niese Eric Anderson Young-Hoon Gin Kevin Kluge Matt Cullen Chastity Hodges Others in Attendance: Valerie Menard, PODER Carlos Pinon, PODER Marian Sanchez, PODER The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force liaison Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Page 1 of 2 Susana Almanza, PODER Pedro Hernandez, PODER Noé Elias, PODER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. Valerie Menard gave a public comment in-person. 2. Carlos Pinon gave a public comment in-person. 3. Marian Sanchez gave a public comment in-person. 4. Susana Almanza gave a public comment in-person. 5. Pedro Hernandez gave a public comment in-person. 6. Noé Elias gave a public comment in-person. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the meeting minutes from the regular called April 8, 2025, Task Force meeting. The minutes from the February 11th, meeting were approved on Member DIFIORE’s motion and Member BARTEE’ second on an 7-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND/OR REPORTS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions The presentation was made by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Program Manager III, Austin Water. 3. Presentation of Q1 Water Management Strategy Implementation Report The presentation was made by Kevin Kluge, Division Manager, Water Conservation Austin Water. Chair WALKER adjourned the meeting at 1:32pm. The minutes were approved at the October 14, 2025, meeting on Hani Michel’s motion, Paul DiFiore’s second on an 6-0 vote with two vacancies. Task Force Members Todd …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE April 8, 2025 --12:00pm Hybrid Regular Called Meeting Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. The first 10 speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns not on the agenda. To register, contact Emily Rafferty at emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, item number(s) they wish to speak on if applicable, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Voting Members: Bill Moriarty Sarah Faust Hani Michel Perry Lorenz Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing: Chase Bryan Innovation Office: Daniel Culotta Office of Climate Action and Resilience: Zach Baumer Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Ramesh Swaminathan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Ex Officio Member introductions 1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Called Task Force meeting on February 11, 3. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 4. Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Project Update FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURN The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force Liaison, Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, please contact Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427 or emily.rafferty@austintexas.gov.
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Highland Lakes Inflows Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage U.S. Drought Monitor NOAA 3-month Outlook: May – July The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast A shift from La Niña conditions to ENSO-neutral is favored to develop in the next month and persist through the Northern Hemisphere summer 62% chance of ENSO- neutral in June-August 2025) Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections Questions?
Water Supply Project Update April 8, 2025 Agenda Overview of Indirect Potable Reuse and Lake Walter E. Long Strategies Overview of Consultant Support Work to date on Indirect Potable Reuse planning Next steps on big picture water supply strategy evaluation and related work Water Forward 2080 Portfolio Utility-Side Water Loss Control • Production meter improvements • Expanded active leak detection programs • Additional analysis of smart meter data Customer Side Water Use Management • Expanded customer incentives for conservation • Use of smart meter data for customer-side leak identification, education, and outreach • Water use budgeting Native & Efficient Landscapes • New landscape ordinances & incentives • • Irrigation efficiency incentives Landscape conversion programs Non-Potable Reuse • Onsite Water Reuse Systems • Decentralized Reclaimed • Centralized Reclaimed Water Supply Storage Aquifer Storage and Recovery Use of Lake Walter E. Long Potable Reuse Indirect Potable Reuse New Water Supplies Brackish Groundwater Desalination Strategies reliant on Colorado River and LCRA supplies 3 Indirect Potable Reuse (Drought Emergency Strategy) Annual Yield Targets (acre feet per year) 2030 *** 2040 *** 2050 22,400 2060 22,400 2070 22,400 2080 22,400 Capital Cost of Infrastructure Capital Cost including Contingencies and Land Acquisition Annual Cost O&M and Debt Service ($ per year) Total Annual Cost ($ per acre foot per year) $114,104,000 $180,486,000 $19,710,000 $880 Five Year Implementation Actions • • • Develop IPR schematic design, design criteria, technical specifications (2024) Begin design-build procurement process and, pending Council approval, issue design-build contract (2025) Preliminary target for substantial completion of IPR project construction (2028) 4 Use of Lake Walter E. Long Annual Yield Targets (acre feet per year) 2030 0 2040 18,300 2050 18,300 2060 18,300 Annual Storage Targets (acre feet) 2030 0 2040 6,100 2050 6,100 2070 18,300 2060 6,100 2080 18,300 2070 6,100 Capital Cost of Infrastructure Capital Cost including Contingencies and Land Acquisition Annual Cost O&M and Debt Service ($ per year) Total Annual Cost ($ per acre foot per year) $331,634,000 $518,117,000 $55,507,000 $3,033 Five Year Implementation Actions • • • Complete feasibility report to evaluate off-channel reservoir configurations and recommend a preferred configuration (2025) Begin water quality sampling of Lake Walter E. Long (2025) Begin preliminary engineering of a conceptual project layout for the preferred strategy configuration, including Colorado River infrastructure, improvements to the intake pipeline, water treatment plant infrastructure, intake infrastructure, and distribution system integration. (2026) 5 IPR …
Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group March 11, 2025 Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 12:00 pm Attendees: Bill Moriarty, WFTF Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water Paul DiFiore, WFTF Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Hani Michel, WFTF Kevin Kluge, Austin Water Jennifer Walker, WFTF Water Forward 2024 Water Management Strategies Update - Kevin Kluge shared implementation updates on conservation strategies, including the following: o Continuing to expand commercial incentive programs o Brought on 2 interns in February to classify commercial customer accounts Implemented irrigation inspections for residential usage o There was discussion regarding the data inspectors are finding in their inspections. Kevin shared that when irrigation systems do not pass inspection, the reasons are documented. He also shared that when they began inspections, they found a lot of systems that failed inspections, but over time there are more passing systems than failing. Jennifer Walker suggested using the data collected through these inspections to incorporate into Quarterly Reporting to Council, for example, the top 5 weak points identified when systems are failing inspection. o Update on Quarterly Reports timeline and framework - Marisa Flores Gonzalez gave update on the implementation of supply strategies, including the following: o IPR – Austin Water is working with a consultant to evaluate three potential different configurations of IPR. All three configurations could take water from South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and treat the water to reclaimed water quality, including potential additional treatment. The water would be discharged upstream of Longhorn Dam. A new intake downstream of Tom Miller Dam would convey water to Ullrich Water Treatment Plant to treat for potable uses. These options are being compared using cost estimates. Bill Moriarty requested to see a written schedule for this project. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting March 2025 Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group March 11, 2025 Meeting Notes o ASR – Finishing up evaluation of protentional locations for field testing, need to do field testing before piloting. - Paul DiFiore discussed the cost-of-service study and asked why inclining block pricing is only used for residential customers and not commercial customers, and if this is considered best practice among other cities. Paul suggested that Austin Water investigates how this rate structure could be expanded to commercial customers. Water Forward 2024 Implementation Working Group Meeting March 2025
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 8, 2025 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Regular Called Meeting on April 8, 2025, with Social Distancing Modifications. Chair WALKER called the meeting to order at 12:03 pm. Members in Attendance: Jennifer Walker, Chair Robert Mace, Vice Chair Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Kevin Critendon, Austin Water Chase Bryan, Housing Department Michael Hoffman, Austin Energy Liana Kallivoka, PARD Members in Attendance Remotely: Hani Michel Bill Moriarty Paul DiFiore Austin Water Staff: Teresa Lutes Marisa Flores Gonzalez Emily Rafferty Brandon Niese Eric Anderson Young-Hoon Gin Steve Villatoro PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the meeting minutes from the regular called February 11, 2025, Task Force meeting. The minutes from the February 11th, meeting were approved on Member MACE’s motion and Member MICHEL’ second on an 6-0 vote. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force liaison Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Page 1 of 2 STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND/OR REPORTS 2. Ex Officio Member introductions 3. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions The presentation was made by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Program Manager III, Austin Water. 4. Water Forward 2024 Water Supply Project Update The presentation was made by Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Program Manager III, Austin Water. Chair WALKER adjourned the meeting at 1:43pm. The minutes were approved at the June 10th, 2025, meeting on Paul DiFiore’s motion, Todd Bartee’s second on an 7-0 vote with two vacancies. Task Force Members Madelline Mathis and Robert Mace absent. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force liaison Emily Rafferty at 512-972-0427, for …
