AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE June 4, 2024 --12:00pm Hybrid Regular Meeting Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 Room 1111 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 Madelline Mathis Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Vanessa Puig-Williams Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing and Planning: Tymon Khamsi Office of Innovation: Daniel Culotta Office of Sustainability: Zach Baumer Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Ramesh Swaminathan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Review and approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Task Force meeting on May 14, 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Update on Preliminary Water management strategy Assessment and Vulnerability 4. Update on Water Forward 2024 Demand Management Strategies Evaluation (WAVE) results 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 …
Water Forward Task Force (WFTF) Water Forward 2024 Working Group May 29, 2024 Meeting Notes Teams Meeting, 3:00 pm Attendees: Jennifer Walker, WFTF Madelline Mathis, WFTF Emily Rafferty, Austin Water Marisa Flores-Gonzalez, Austin Water Preview of WFTF Member Conservation and Demand Management Strategies Feedback Austin Water staff went over the written feedback that they had received from Task Force members regarding conservation and demand management strategies. Austin Water staff discussed the next steps of providing this feedback to Austin Water’s consultant, Plummer. Over the month of June, the consultant will develop costs and yields for any tactical demand management strategies based on Task Force member feedback. Austin Water staff shared that at the July Task Force meeting, Austin Water aims to share the costs and yields of additional demand management strategies developed by the consultant. Task Force member questions and discussion included the following: • Task Force members discussed the future survey to be sent out regarding tactical demand management strategies and possibly including costs and yields in the survey, depending on the timing of the survey release • Task Force members provided further feedback on existing comments regarding the following: o Decentralized facilities could be a way to expand reuse ordinance to include smaller/mid-sized buildings instead of piping all the way to centralized reclaimed infrastructure. o Provide a certification program tailored for landscapers and landscape architects, enabling them to demonstrate their expertise in building water- efficient landscapes. o Collaborate with the Texas Native Plant Society to enhance informational materials for landscapers by incorporating recommendations for plants based on root depth and their benefit to stormwater infiltration. o Implement a color-coded feedback system in the MyATX Water portal, where customers' water usage is visually represented. AW staff shared that this type of practice is already in place in the portal. Water Forward 2024 Working Group Meeting May 2024
Water Forward Task Force Member Written Feedback (Received 5/14/2024 --- 5/21/2024) Feedback Received by Bill Moriarty: • Completion of the reclaimed water hook up to the new Travis County Courthouse. • Completion of the Indirect Potable Reuse Project that was previously identified in WF18. I think there needs to be an initial evaluation to see if this project is even feasible anymore given the algae issue and other possible permitting of public relations issues. • An evaluation of the existing and near-term reclaimed water piping network to identify obvious hook ups, that are not currently connected. This could be facilities with various high non-potable demands such as irrigation and air conditioning chillers. These facilities could then be approached by Austin Water to gauge their interest in hooking up. • An evaluation of the State Capital Complex for a complete conversion to reclaimed water for non-potable purposes. (Irrigation, air conditioning chillers, ornamentals, future buildings that could be dual plumbed. • An evaluation of the University of Texas Campus for a complete conversion to reclaimed water for non-potable purposes. (Irrigation, air conditioning chillers, ornamentals, future buildings that could be dual plumbed. • An evaluation of large non-potable customers (irrigation, chillers) city wide for possible hook up to reclaimed water system. Feedback Received by Paul DiFiore: My main concern with our Drought Contingency Plan and Water Conservation Plan is that over the next decades, Austinites will work diligently to conserve water, yet we will fail to manage where our supply goes. As it stands, all our hard-earned gains on water conservation are vulnerable to being instantly wiped away by massive new industrial users coming onto our system. It’s a glaring hole in our planning process. And it exists because of an outdated east-west inequity in our city, which allows for projects in the so-called Drinking Water Protection Zone to receive heightened levels of public scrutiny while those in the so-called Desired Development Zone get staff approval with no boards or council oversight. Consider the anticipated goals in the Water Conservation Plan: by 2029 we are hoping to save 245 million gallons of water each year through the increased use of our reclaimed water system. Likewise we are hoping to save 266 million gallons of water each year through landscape transformation. Each of those monumental efforts—which require massive resources from utility staff and buy-in from tens of thousands of Austin residents—would be more than …
Water Forward WAVE evaluation Water Forward Task Force Meeting June 2024 Our analysis identifies candidate 50-year portfolios of supply and demand WMS UNCERTAINTIES Future Hydrologic Sequences Regional Supply Scenarios Future Water Demand Forecasts WAM WAM Needs Assessment Projected water demands and supplies Mini-WAM Model Water balance model of AW system WMS Optimization System Performance MAXIMIZES Cost MINIMIZES 50-Year Candidate WMS Portfolios INPUTS MODELING OUTPUTS Candidate portfolios are built from an optimization of nearly 2M combinations of WMS WMS Description ASR BGD IPRLBL OCR OCR+ Decker AddLCRA Additional Supply from LCRA, regional Colorado River partnerships, and/or water rights optimization Aquifer Storage and Recovery Brackish Groundwater Desalination Indirect Potable Reuse through Lady Bird Lake with local Inflows New Off Channel Reservoir, Colorado River water New Off Channel Reservoir, Colorado River and reclaimed water Off-channel reservoir supplied by Colorado River water (Decker Lake) Seawater Desalination Direct Potable Reuse from Wastewater Treatment Plant Interbasin Transfer (surface water) Importation of conventional groundwater CR - Current Ordinance, DCR - Phase 1, OR - Current Ordinance CR - Larger System, DCR - Phase 1, OR - Smaller Building Threshold CR - Larger System, DCR - Phase 1, OR - Adjusting Benchmarks SWD DPR IBT GW DR1 DR2 DR3 DR4 DR5 DR6 DR7 CR - Larger Connection Area, DCR - Phase 1, OR - Smaller Building Threshold CR - Larger Connection Area, DCR - Phase 1, OR - Adjusting Benchmarks CR - Larger System, Larger Connection Area, DCR - Phase 1, OR - Smaller Building Threshold, Adjusting Benchmarks CR - Larger System, Larger Connection Area, DCR - Phase 1, 2, OR - Smaller Building Threshold, Adjusting Benchmarks Individual WMS can be organized into specific pathways over time Can start with DR1 and continue indefinitely DR1 Time (2030 to 2080) Individual WMS can be organized into specific pathways over time Or, can start with DR1 and then jump to DR2 at some point in the future DR1 DR2 Time (2030 to 2080) Individual WMS can be organized into specific pathways over time Or, can start with DR1, then jump to DR2, and finally to DR7 DR1 DR2 DR7 Time (2030 to 2080) Individual WMS can be organized into specific pathways over time Pathways map shows full set of possible Demand Reduction Pathways DR1 DR2 DR3 DR4 DR5 DR6 DR7 Time (2030 to 2080) Rhodium selects among possible combinations to build a set of equally-optimal candidate portfolios For each candidate …
Update on Water Forward 2024 Demand Management Strategies June 4, 2024 Task Force Feedback Summary of Task Force WCP/DCP Feedback 3 Staff to report on necessary changes to the WCP to meet trajectory set in 2019 goals, including specific measures and projected water savings Launch a high-profile education program through Austin Water University to raise awareness about drought and promote water reduction Creation of separate educational graphics for residential and commercial sectors to clarify watering schedules Concern raised about aiming for less than 1% reduction in water consumption over five years due to increasing heat and insufficient water replenishment Further analysis of the effectiveness of increasing rebates for voluntary reclaimed water hookups to reduce demand for potable water Increase public oversight into service extension requests Completion of reclaimed hookup to the new Travis County Courthouse Assessment of the existing and near-term reclaimed water piping network to identify facilities with high non-potable demands for potential hook ups Evaluation of the State Capital Complex and University of Texas campus for a complete conversion to reclaimed water for non-potable purposes Evaluation of large non-potable customers city-wide for possible hook up to the reclaimed water system Expand onsite reuse ordinance to include mid-size and smaller buildings 4 Summary of Task Force Tactical Demand Management Feedback Comparison of water usage for similar size houses within My ATX Water Training and education programs for local landscapers and garden nurseries as part of Water Efficient and Native Landscapes Summary of Task Force Water Forward Demand-Side Water Management Strategy Feedback 5 Water Forward 2024 Working Group Meeting Recap Discussed written feedback received from Task Force members Received further feedback on existing comments: • Provide a certification program tailored for landscapers and landscape architects, enabling them to demonstrate their expertise in building water- efficient landscapes. • Collaborate with the Texas Native Plant Society to enhance informational materials for landscapers by incorporating recommendations for plants based on root depth and their benefit to stormwater infiltration. 6 Next Steps Goal for this Summer 1 2 3 4 Review total water demand and demand reduction goals for the near- term (5-10 years) within WF24 Identify specific tactical measures to implement to achieve goals Assign costs and yields to those measures Include measures in WF24 Recommendations and in revised WCP and DCP 8 Questions?
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Highland Lakes Inflows Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Combined Storage of Lakes Buchanan and Travis January 1, 2005 through May 28, 2024 2.0M ac-ft Full Storage 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 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 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 U.S. Drought Monitor NOAA 3-month Outlook: July – September The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. NOAA El Niño/Southern Oscillation Forecast A transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral is likely in the next month La Niña may develop in June- August (49% chance) or July- September (69% chance) Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections Lakes Buchanan and Travis Total Combined Storage Projection (LCRA) ) t e e f - e r c a n o i l l i m ( e m u o V l Current Storage DCP Stage 1 1.4 MAF DCP Stage 2 0.9 MAF DCP Stage 3 0.75 MAF DCP Stage 4 0.6 MAF Questions?
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, June 4, 2024 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Regular Meeting on June 4, 2024, with Social Distancing Modifications. Vice Chair MACE called the meeting to order at 12:08 pm. Members in Attendance: Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Kevin Critendon Ramesh Swaminathan Donald Hardee Members in Attendance Remotely: Hani Michel Bill Moriarty Vanessa Puig Williams Madelline Mathis Sarah Faust Austin Water Staff: Teresa Lutes Kevin Kluge Marisa Flores Gonzalez Helen Gerlach Emily Rafferty Fatima Wahid Others in Attendance: Bobby Levinski, Save Our Springs Alliance Robert Lempert, RAND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 1. Bobby Levinski provided a public comment in-person. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the meeting minutes from the May 14, 2024, Task Force meeting. The minutes from the May 14th meeting were approved on Member MICHEL’S motion and Member DIFIORE’ 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 Fatima Wahid, Graduate Engineer A, Austin Water. 3. Update on Preliminary Water management strategy Assessment and Vulnerability Evaluation (WAVE) results The presentation was made by Helen Gerlach, Engineer B, Austin Water, Robert Lempert, PhD., Consultant, RAND. 4. Update on Water Forward 2024 Demand Management Strategies The presentation was made by Teresa Lutes, Managing Engineer, Austin Water. VOTING ITEMS None Vice Chair MACE adjourned the meeting at 1:33pm. The minutes were approved at the July 15th, 2024, meeting on Paul DiFiore’s motion, Madelline Mathis’ second on a 6-0 vote with one vacancy. Task Force Member Perry Lorenz and Robert Mace absent. Task Force member Jennifer Walker and Todd Bartee abstained. 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. …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE May 14, 2024 --12:00pm Hybrid Regular Meeting Austin Permitting and Development Center Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 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 Madelline Mathis Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Vanessa Puig-Williams Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing and Planning: Tymon Khamsi Office of Innovation: Daniel Culotta Office of Sustainability: Lucia Athens Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Katie Coyne AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 25, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Review and approve the meeting minutes from the Special Called Task Force meeting on 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions 3. Update on Single Family Residential Landscape Transformation Ordinances 4. Update on Water Forward 2024 Demand Management Strategies 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 …
Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions Highland Lakes Inflows Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage 1.4M ac-ft COA DCP Stage 1 0.9M ac-ft 0.75M ac-ft COA DCP Stage 2 COA DCP Stage 3 COA DCP Stage 4 U.S. Drought Monitor NOAA 3-month Outlook: June – August The seasonal outlooks combine long-term trends, soil moisture, and El Nino/Southern Oscillation. NOAA El Nino/Southern Oscillation Forecast 85% chance of a transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral by April-June 2024 60% chance of La Niña developing by June-August 2024 Lakes Buchanan & Travis Combined Storage Projections COA DCP Stage 1 1.4 MAF COA DCP Stage 2 0.9 MAF COA DCP Stage 3 0.75 MAF COA DCP Stage 4 0.6 MAF Questions?
Landscape Transformation Activities Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force| May 14, 2024 K evin K luge, Wa ter C ons e r va tion D ivis ion M a na ger Why New Water Conservation Measures? Lakes are 50% full Highland Lakes inflow • 2022 - record low • 2023 – 4th lowest El Niño will shift to La Niña Drought Stage 2 restrictions Per-person use has declined but plateaued 2 Landscape Transformation Strategy From traditional landscaping to plants with reduced water needs New single-family residential Potential limits on turf and irrigation Savings goal of 2,490 AF (811 MG) by 2040 3 Public Engagement & Input Public and stakeholder meetings • February, May, June, & November 2022 • August 2023 Smaller stakeholder group meetings Speak Up Austin! page • 2 surveys (256 and 303 responses) • Majority of local responses favored regulating landscape transformation 4 Internal City Stakeholders Watershed Protection Department (WPD) Development Services Department (DSD) Austin Energy (AE) – Green Building Office of Sustainability Equity Office Planning and Housing Department Wildlife Austin (PARD) Austin Fire Department – (Wildland-Urban Interface) 5 Stakeholder Meetings Home Builders Association of Greater Austin (HBA) • Concern about project delays Central Texas Professional Irrigation Association - • Supported increased enforcement • Supported high-efficiency irrigation system components Association of Professional Landscape Architects Texas Nursery and Landscape Assoc. (TNLA – Region 8) (CTPIA) (ASLA) 6 Additional Meetings Other utilities in Texas • New Braunfels • Model homes with 50% turf reduction • Post-installation inspections (within 1-2 days) • City of Frisco • Irrigation check-up • Georgetown • Residential landscape ordinance 7 Steps to Transform Landscapes Build with savings Set customers up for success Encourage alternative water 8 Build with Savings Enhanced Soil Inspections • A minimum of 6 inches of topsoil • Topsoil mix composed of 20% compost • Estimated Water Savings: 10% reduction 9 Required residential plant list • Apply commercial plant requirements to residential • Grow Green Plant Guide as a model Build with Savings Limit irrigation area • Up to 50% of landscape area; front yard or back • Estimated Water Savings: 35% annually per home 10 Set Customers Up for Success Est. Water Savings Potential Cost 22% savings $543 plus labor 10% savings …
Update on Water Forward 2024 Demand Management Strategies 5/14/2024 Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan Update Process May 2, 2024 Water Conservation Plan (WCP) and Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) approved by City Council Summer 2024 Austin Water will work with the WFTF and the community to identify specific water conservation measures to achieve five- and ten-year water conservation goals Early Fall 2024 Any resulting updates to the water conservation goals and measures will be included in Water Forward 2024 and the updated WCP and DCP November 2024 Austin Water will bring the 2024 Water Forward plan and updated DCP and WCP before Council for their consideration December 2024 Upon Council’s adoption of the updated DCP and WCP, Austin Water will resubmit the updated plans to the TCEQ and the TWDB 2 WF24 Historical and Projected Water Use by Sector 3 Water Forward 2024 Demand Management Strategies Utility-side Water Loss Control: Reducing leaks throughout the water distribution system Customer-side Data-Driven Water Use Management: Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure and water use benchmarking data with water use budgeting tools to reduce indoor customer water use Water Efficient and Native Landscapes: Setting requirements for landscaping and using irrigation systems for new single-family homes to reduce outdoor demands Reuse Strategies • Onsite Water Capture and Reuse • Centralized Reclaimed Water • Decentralized Reclaimed Water 4 Task Force Feedback Outdoor irrigation restrictions should be more restrictive throughout the plan. Increase community outreach for conservation programs and requirements during droughts, utilizing partnerships for promotion Enforcement should be more visible and more robust. Explore opportunities for water budgeting to be implemented or incentivized sooner, including overcoming the logistical barriers to adoption mentioned in the plan. Consider instituting new pool permit moratoriums in an earlier drought stage. Cut off all outdoor water usage at some point in extreme drought. 6 Summary of Task Force DCP Feedback Summary of Task Force WCP Feedback 7 Highlight water use reduction goals prominently in the 2029 WCP plan. Add definition of functional turf. Look into savings from limited hours at splashpads and consider removing restrictions if savings are not substantial. Additional wording and editorial feedback on plan language. Summary of Task Force WCP Implementation Feedback 8 Create an SOP for incentive program applications to streamline the process. Continue to discuss how (gallons per capita per day) GPCD is calculated and …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, May 14, 2024 The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force convened in a Regular Meeting on May 14, 2024, with Social Distancing Modifications. Chair WALKER called the meeting to order at 12:03 pm. Members in Attendance: Jennifer Walker, Chair Paul DiFiore Madelline Mathis Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Kevin Critendon Members in Attendance Remotely: Hani Michel Todd Bartee Bill Moriarty Vanessa Puig Williams Perry Lorenz Robert Mace Austin Water Staff: Shay Ralls Roalson Teresa Lutes Kevin Kluge Marisa Flores Gonzalez Helen Gerlach Emily Rafferty Others in Attendance: Chase Bryan, COA Housing and Planning Jim Edwards 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 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the meeting minutes from the special called April 25, 2024, Task Force meeting. The minutes from the April 25th meeting were approved on Member DIFIORE’S motion and Member MATHIS’ second on an 9-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND/OR REPORTS 2. Update on Lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes water supply conditions The presentation was made by Emily Rafferty, Program Manager I, Austin Water. 3. Update on Single Family Residential Landscape Transformation Ordinances The presentation was made by Kevin Kluge, Division Manager, Water Conservation, Austin Water. 4. Update on Water Forward 2024 Demand Management Strategies The presentation was made by Teresa Lutes, Managing Engineer, Austin Water. VOTING ITEMS None Chair WALKER adjourned the meeting at 1:53pm. The minutes were approved at the June 4th, 2024, meeting on Hani Michel’s motion, Paul DiFiore’ second on a 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Task Force Member Perry Lorenz, Jennifer Walker, and Todd Bartee 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 …
AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE April 25, 2024 --1:00pm Hybrid Special Called Meeting Austin Permitting and Development Center Room 1406 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online after the meeting at: ATXN Video Archive | AustinTexas.gov 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 Madelline Mathis Todd Bartee Robert Mace, Vice Chair Paul DiFiore Vanessa Puig-Williams Jennifer Walker, Chair Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: Austin Water: Kevin Critendon Austin Energy: Kathleen Garrett Austin Resource Recovery: Donald Hardee Housing and Planning: Tymon Khamsi Office of Innovation: Daniel Culotta Office of Sustainability: Lucia Athens Parks and Recreation: Liana Kallivoka Watershed Protection: Katie Coyne AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Review and approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Task Force meeting on April 15, 2024 DISCUSSION ITEMS ACTION ITEMS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 2. Staff update on Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan and Water Conservation Plan updates 3. Approve a letter from the Water Forward Task Force to the Austin City Council regarding the Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan and Water Conservation Plan updates 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 …
CITY OF AUSTIN DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC § 288.20 and § 288.22 Water Conservation Division City of Austin, Texas PWS # 2270001 May 2, 2024 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Table of Contents SECTION I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose and Intent ................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SECTION II: Background ........................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SECTION III: Trigger Conditions and Goals .................................................................................................... 8 SECTION IV: Drought Response Measures .................................................................................................. 11 SECTION V: Wholesale Contract Provisions ................................................................................................ 20 SECTION VI: Public Involvement ..................................................................................................................... 20 SECTION VII: Public Notification and Education ........................................................................................ 21 SECTION VIII: Coordination with Regional Planning Groups (RPG)...................................................... 21 SECTION IX: TCEQ Notification ....................................................................................................................... 21 SECTION X: Plan Review and Updates .......................................................................................................... 21 APPENDIX A: Water Conservation Code ....................................................................................................... 22 APPENDIX B: Water Conservation Penalty Code ........................................................................................ 23 APPENDIX C: Water Use Triggers for Water Use Management Ordinance .......................................... 24 APPENDIX D: Resolutions In Support of Adoption of The Drought Contingency Plan .................... 25 APPENDIX E: Resolution Adopting The 2024 Drought Contingency Plan ........................................... 26 APPENDIX F: Transmittal Letter to Regional Planning Group ................................................................. 27 APPENDIX F: Public Response to November 2023 Survey ........... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 1 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN City of Austin, Texas May 2024 Section I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose and Intent The City of Austin (the City) maintains a decades-long commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply through demand management measures. The latest update to Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan) builds upon this legacy. This iteration of the Plan retains all measures from previous versions while incorporating new strategies to better address droughts in the future. Designed as a comprehensive strategy, the Plan focuses on addressing water shortages and emergencies, with specific attention to domestic water use, sanitation, fire protection, and public well-being. In accordance with Section 11.1272 of the Texas Water Code and Chapter 288 of Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, the City regularly updates this plan, underscoring the importance of adaptability to evolving water supply dynamics. This document outlines the City's strategic response to challenges posed by demand surges, infrastructure constraints, and droughts, including historical critical droughts. Through coordination with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the Drought Contingency Plans of both the LCRA and the City are consistent in terms of targets and goals. The City’s plan is more proactive, including the implementation activities necessary …
Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile CITY OF AUSTIN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC §288.2 and §288.5 May 2, 2024 Page 1 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Page 2 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Message from the Director Thank you for your interest in Austin’s most precious natural resource: water. The city was founded in the mid-1800s on the banks of the Colorado River to take advantage of that abundant water resource. Our water supply is just as critical today, but now we face unprecedented challenges: record high temperatures, record low flows into the Highland Lakes, water quality concerns, and continued rapid population growth. Together, we can meet these challenges. The City of Austin’s 100-year Water Forward Integrated Water Resources Plan is focused on water conservation and water use efficiency, as well as strategies to strengthen the diversity of Austin’s water supply. Austin has come a long way over the last decade – in 2023, we used essentially the same amount of water as we did in 2011, despite having 140,000 more residents. But the impacts from climate change require us to become even more water-wise and water-efficient. The update of this Water Conservation Plan is required by the State of Texas every five years to provide short-term strategies to address changing conditions. Even more importantly, the update is a necessary part of the city’s future sustainability. This document describes Austin Water’s conservation initiatives, programs, and projects to help residents and businesses increase their water use efficiency. In addition, it describes how Austin Water is maximizing our water supply from the Highland Lakes through conservation and water reuse. Learn more about what you can do to conserve our most precious resource at AustinWater.org. Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. Austin Water Director Page 3 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Table of Contents Executive Summary 5 Conservation Program History 7 Public Education and Information 9 Residential Customer Programs 11 Commercial Customer Programs 15 Regulatory Programs 17 Metering and Water Loss 20 Water Reuse 23 Water Rates 25 Goals for Water Use and Water Loss 26 Utility Profile 30 System Data 35 Appendices 42 Page 4 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Executive Summary The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board require an update to the City of Austin’s Water Conservation Plan …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and Council Members THROUGH: Robert Goode, P.E., Assistant City Manager FROM: Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E., Director, Austin Water DATE: April 15, 2024 SUBJECT: Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan Updates We would like to share an overview of Austin Water’s upcoming Recommendations for Council Action, which update both the Water Conservation Plan (WCP) and Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), along with related amendments to the City Code to enforce the plans. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires the City’s WCP and DCP to be updated every five years. Staff have coordinated revisions with changes being made to the Lower Colorado River Authority’s (LCRA) DCP. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTIONS On May 2, 2024, Austin Water is requesting consideration of the following: • • • Approve a resolution adopting the Water Conservation Plan, as required by the TCEQ, and repeal the resolution for the 2019 Water Conservation Plan. Approve a resolution adopting the Drought Contingency Plan, as required by the TCEQ, and repeal the resolution for the 2016 Drought Contingency Plan. Approve an ordinance amending Austin City Code Chapter 2-13, Chapter 6-4, and Chapter 15-9 to codify necessary changes to enact the updated 2024 Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan. BACKGROUND The City of Austin’s 100-year Integrated Water Resources Plan, known as Water Forward, includes a number of strategies to provide for a sustainable water future for Austin, including water conservation and water use efficiency, reclaimed water use, like that of the recently adopted GoPurple Program, and strengthening the diversity of Austin’s water supply. While these plans have always served as an important element to water conservation and water supply planning, they are increasingly important tools as Austin continues to grow and as our region faces a prolonged drought. Current drought conditions have reduced the combined storage of the Highland Lakes to 43% of the available storage when full. The updated WCP and DCP describe current and additional activities to increase water efficiency and reduce water use. Page 1 of 3 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN The WCP provides a description of the activities by Austin Water to conserve water, both in times of plenty and in scarcity. Activities include customer education, incentives, and enforcement; water loss reduction activities; and water reuse, both centralized reclaimed and onsite. In addition to current and expanded conservation activities, the WCP includes goals for 5- …
2024 Updates to the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans Water Forward Task Force – April 25, 2024 Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Manager Agenda Going Forward • Water Conservation • Reclaimed Water • Water Loss Control Water Conservation Plan – Program Results 2019-2023 Water Conservation Plan – Goals for 2029 and 2034 • Per-Person Use (GPCD or Gallons Per Capita Daily) • Water Loss (GPCD and Infrastructure Leakage Index) Drought Contingency Plan – Overview 2 Going Forward May 2024 - Seek Council adoption of the WCP and DCP and submit to the TCEQ Summer 2024 – implement conservation activities and review WCP in conjunction with the 2024 Water Forward Plan development November 2024 - Submit a revised WCP to Council with the 2024 Water Forward Plan 3 Water Conservation Plan Program Results 2019-2023 4 Water Conservation Residential Customer Programs Household Material Distribution Residential Irrigation Audits Go Repair! and Plumbing Program Austin Energy All-Star Conservation Kits 5 Water Conservation Residential Incentive Programs 6 Water Conservation Commercial Incentive Programs Bucks for Business • Performance-based: $1 per 1,000 gallons saved over 10 years • Examples: high-efficient fixtures, cooling systems, reusing high quality rinse water • Program resurgence: In Fiscal Year 2024, 18 applications, saving 16.4 million gallons, plus up to 10 more by end of the fiscal year 7 Reclaimed Water & Onsite Water Reuse Over 160 customers using reclaimed water Recent Go Purple program • Requirements for reclaimed connections and onsite water reuse systems • Incentives for reclaimed connections and onsite water reuse systems • Funding sources Voluntary reclaimed connection incentives 8 Water Loss Control Leak detection: line annually mains • Acoustic technology inspects > 500 miles of • Smart ball technology for large transmission “Renewing Austin” program targets aging lines for replacement My ATX Water meter replacement 9 2021 Review of production meters 2023 – External review of water loss activities, final report in June 2024 Water Conservation Plan Goals for 2029 and 2034 Total Gallons Per Capita Daily (GPCD) Residential GPCD Water Loss GPCD Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) 10 Req. Savings (MG) 2,199 5,888 2,917 6,182 123 116 121 115 119 3,900 106 10,818 Goal GPCD 2029 Goal (0.75%) 2034 Goal (1.25%) 2029 Goal (1%) 2034 Goal (1%) 2029 Goal (WCP19 2024 Goal) 2034 Goal (WCP19 2029 Goal) Recommended Goals …
4/25/2024 Subject: Water Forward Task Force Support for Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan Dear Austin City Council, As members of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community (Water Forward) Task Force, we would like to express our support for approval of the Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan for the City of Austin, to be considered at the May 2nd City Council meeting. These plans are important documents, particularly given the current drought conditions in the Highland Lakes watersheds and the ongoing work needed to advance the City’s water conservation initiatives. The updated Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan outline programs, measures, and requirements aimed at promoting efficient water use, reducing water waste, and enhancing our ability to respond effectively to drought conditions in the short term. Furthermore, these plans align with the City's broader objectives of promoting environmental stewardship, fostering economic prosperity and affordability, and safeguarding the well-being of our residents. As members of the Water Forward Task Force, we believe that intentional effort will be required by Austin Water to achieve and preferably surpass the five- and ten-year water savings goals and drought stage water use reduction targets set in these plans. We support the City placing continued strong emphasis and focus on water conservation, water-loss mitigation, and water reuse program implementation as well as water use restriction enforcement in pursuit of these goals. By approving these plans, the Austin City Council will reaffirm its commitment to proactive water management while emphasizing the need to strengthen current and future water conservation programs. Moreover, it will demonstrate leadership in addressing the pressing challenges posed by the current drought and climate change, both of which have significant implications for our region's long-term viability. With Central Texas experiencing prolonged periods of drought, it is key that we adopt comprehensive strategies to conserve our precious water resources and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to your favorable consideration. Sincerely, AUSTIN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMUNITY TASK FORCE Jennifer Walker, Chair
