Drought Contingency Plan – Documentation of edits after the October 28 Water Forward Task Force meeting (10-21-2024 to 10-31-2024 versions) Edit Location (clean copy) Various locations Page 8, Table 2 Page 17, Outdoor Restrictions table Page 11, 14, 16, 18 – Exemption #8 Page 18, Variances Appendix B. Water Conservation Penalty Code Appendix C. Resolutions in support of adoption of the Drought Contingency Plan Appendix F. Public Response to November 2023 Survey Nature of Edits Unsubstantial formatting edits to the table of contents, table headers, page breaks, and minor textual edits. Edited the trigger text, adding “or more” after “300 MGD” and “320 MGD” (WFTF recommendation) Added “on page 19” to specify the locations of definitions for functional and nonfunctional turf. (WFTF recommendation) Clarification of the use of water for new landscaping to meet permit requirements. Removed the variance from watering restrictions for new xeriscape landscape in Stage 4 to be consistent with current code. Add current City Code, Chapter 2-13 Appendix is deleted because commissions do not adopt resolutions. Appendix is deleted because it indicated public involvement in a previous plan. Water Conservation Plan –Documentation of edits made after the October 28 Water Forward Task Force meeting (10-21-2024 to 10-31-2024 versions) Edit Location (clean copy) Edit Description Various locations Page 11, Residential Irrigation Audits Unsubstantial formatting edits to the table of contents, table headers, page breaks, and minor textual edits. Revised the fiscal year 2025 water use thresholds to receive a residential irrigation audit from 25,000/20,000 to 20,000/15,000 gallons. (staff recommendation) Page 14, WaterWise Rainscape Revised program summary for clarification (staff recommendation) Page 16, Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Audit Page 30, Pandemic impacts bullet Page 30, Extreme weather bullet Page 30, Growth of customers and water use Revised program summary to reflect new fiscal year 2025 rebate amounts. (staff recommendation) Text revision (WFTF recommendation) Text revision (WFTF recommendation) New bullet point to address concerns regarding the impact of large commercial/industrial users on the total water use and GPCD. (WFTF recommendation) Text revision to first sentence. (WFTF recommendation) Page 31, Future water use and goals paragraph Page 32, Table 15 Added milestone regarding the replacement of polybutylene service lines. (WFTF recommendation) Page 39, Special engagement activities Appendix C – G Added two activity bullets regarding assisting applicants to water conservation incentive programs and engaging landscapers and nurseries. Added maps and wastewater treatment plants and permits that were included in the …
APPENDIX A: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix AA - 1 Water Forward 2024 Community Engagement Topic Engagement Activity Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Public Workshop Public Workshop Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Webinar Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Community Ambassadors Group Meeting Webinar Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Survey Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Water Forward Newsletter Sent Water Forward Task Force Meeting Date 01/01/21 01/12/21 05/01/21 05/07/21 06/01/21 06/15/21 07/01/21 07/13/21 09/01/21 09/07/21 11/01/21 11/03/21 02/01/22 02/11/22 03/01/22 03/21/22 05/01/22 05/03/22 05/19/22 06/14/22 06/22/22 07/01/22 07/12/22 07/14/22 08/04/22 09/01/22 09/20/22 10/13/22 11/01/22 11/08/22 11/10/22 11/29/22 12/01/22 12/12/22 12/13/22 03/29/23 04/01/23 04/11/23 05/01/23 05/01/23 05/09/23 09/01/23 09/12/23 11/01/23 11/01/23 11/29/23 11/30/23 12/06/23 12/11/23 12/14/23 12/15/23 Water Forward 2024 Update Water Forward 2024 Update Water Forward University Water Forward University - Equity and Affordability Community Values 19 43 21 18 120 574 Survey Water Forward Newsletter Sent Meeting w/ St. David's Foundation Water Forward Task Force Meeting Meeting w/ Austin Justice Coalition Meeting w/ Hill Country Alliance, Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, and National Wildlife Federation Meeting w/ Colorado River Land Trust Meeting w/ Natural Resources Conservation Service Water Forward 2024 Update and Water Management Strategies Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability Water Forward 2024 + Equity and Affordability Colorado River Land Analysis Colorado River Land Analysis Colorado River Land Analysis Colorado River Land Analysis + Water Forward 2024 12/20/23 Meeting w/ Environment Texas FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix AA - 2 Topic Engagement 02/01/24 Meeting w/ Austin Parks Foundation Date 01/01/24 01/04/24 01/09/24 01/11/24 01/18/24 01/22/24 01/23/24 01/24/24 02/07/24 02/14/24 02/29/24 …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix B APPENDIX B: WATER FORWARD 2024 EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY ROADMAP B.1. Summary This goal of this document is to provide context about equity and affordability considerations related to water resource management in Austin and to discuss how these considerations will be included in Water Forward 2024 (WF24), the first update to Austin’s 100-year Integrated Water Resource Plan. This appendix provides key definitions, describes how WF24 evaluated the distribution of benefits and burdens of plan implementation outcomes, summarizes procedural equity best practices, and also provides historical context related to race, the environment, governmental policies, and water resources in Austin. B.2. Water Forward Overview Austin Water is committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality and affordable water services to all water users in our community. The purpose of the Water Forward plan is to develop and implement diverse and environmentally conscious water management strategies to adapt to growth, drought, and climate change and ensure a sustainable, resilient, equitable, and affordable water future for our community for the next 100 years. As part of the 2024 plan update, Austin Water seeks to be intentional in considering equity and affordability impacts in the plan development process and in implementation of plan strategies. Austin Water recognizes the importance of an equity framework rooted in an understanding of historic discriminatory and exclusionary practices that may have contributed to certain present day inequities in qualityof life outcomes for communities of color and low-income communities. Staff have compiled key definitions, historical information, and stakeholder feedback to guide and support the creation of an Equity and Affordability framework for the Water Forward 2024 plan update. B.3. Definitions • Equity: The City of Austin Equity Statement is as follows: “Racial equity is the condition when race no longer predicts a person’s quality of life outcomes in our community. The City recognizes that race is the primary determinant of social equity and therefore we begin the journey toward social equity with this definition. The City of Austin recognizes historical and structural disparities and a need for alleviation of the wrongs by critically transforming its institutions and creating a culture of equity.” • Affordability: Regarding affordability, Austin Water seeks to align with the City of Austin Strategic Direction 2023, which states: "Austinites deserve to experience the necessities of life as affordable and accessible. Simply put, this means a household can afford rent or mortgage, transportation, childcare expenses, …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix E APPENDIX E: PRELIMINARY NEEDS ANALYSIS E.1. Estimating Water Supply Needs Selecting water management strategies and their targeted yields first requires an estimate of the future water supply needs. For the purposes of this analysis, water supply needs are defined as water supply shortages in each decade of the Water Forward 2024 (WF24) 100-year planning period when no additional conservation, reuse, or supply are implemented. The needs in each decade are estimated using modeling and vary based on scenarios, which reflect plausible future conditions. Only existing water management strategies are included in the estimate of future water supply needs. The modeling effort used to estimate needs is known as the Preliminary Needs Analysis. E.2. Model The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Water Availability Model (WAM) is the modeling tool used to estimate future water supply needs. The WAM is a collection of model input files covering all state-granted water rights across all river basins in Texas and a generalized computer modeling platform called the Water Rights Analysis Package (WRAP). The WAM is used by state agencies, water right holders, and stakeholders to simulate water availability for a specified water management scenario through a given hydrologic sequence. Typically the WAM is used to simulate water availability during a repeat of historical hydrology which is comprised of monthly naturalized stream flows and net evaporation, generally covering the past 60 to 80 years for the state’s river basins. The following section describes the modified WAM inputs that are used to assess water availability and needs under a range of future conditions. E.3. Scenarios The Colorado River Basin WAM is modified for the Preliminary Needs Analysis. First, the WAM is modified to reflect basin-wide demands, including Austin’s demands, in future decades of the 100-year planning period. Secondly, future water supply strategies for non-Austin entities are added in the decade within which the strategy is expected to be operational. Lastly, the WAM’s hydrological inputs are also modified to include projections of future drought and climate conditions in addition to the standard historical hydrology. The pairings of future demands, regional supplies, and hydrological conditions are known as Scenarios. The scenario approach to modeling is intended to explore the range of uncertainty in each of the scenario components across the planning period. E.4. Demands Future demand estimates by decade for Austin and customers of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) …
APPENDIX F: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY COST AND YIELD CHARACTERIZATION Strategy characterization and costs were developed by Plummer Associates. The Unified Cost Model, a tool developed by the Texas Water Development Board for use in the state water planning process, was used to create standardized capital, operations and maintenance, and annual costs for each strategy. FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix FF-1 Name: Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Strategy description & assumptions: ASR is characterized as storage of drinking water from AW's water distribution system in an underground aquifer for recovery and use when supplies are scarce. ASR costs and operational assumptions are based on project parameters that have been developed through ASR implementation planning. The yield and storage ranges are used to test the project size against future scenarios. ASR is included in every candidate portfolio for modeling since implementation of the project has started. Modeling assumptions: Yield and storage ranges Year 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2120 0 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 Min model test annual yield (AFY) Max model test annual yield (AFY) Min model test total storage (AF) Max model test total storage (AF) 0 60,000 120,000 180,000 240,000 300,000 360,000 0 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 0 60,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 83,000 Yes Scalability assumptions Max start volume (AF) 60,000 Max decadal yield increase (AFY) 30,000 Storage assumptions Does this strategy have a modeled storage element? Other assumptions Can this strategy meet needs above existing COA run‐of‐river water rights and LCRA backup contract? No FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix FF-2 Cost Estimate Summary City of Austin ‐ S‐1 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) CAPITAL COST Item Estimated Cost For Facilities Primary Pump Station (74 MGD) Transmission Pipeline (66 in dia., approx. 50 miles) Well Fields (72 Wells, Pumps, and approx. 13 miles Well Field Piping) Storage Tanks (Other Than at Booster Pump Stations) Water Treatment Plant ‐ wellfield (37 MGD) Integration Point Infrastructure (10 MG GST, 74 MGD Pump Station, Yard Piping, etc) TOTAL COST OF FACILITIES Engineering and Feasibility Studies, Legal Assistance, Financing, Bond Counsel, and Contingencies (30% for pipes & 35% for all other facilities) Environmental & Archaeology Studies and Mitigation Land Acquisition/Leasing and Surveying Interest During Construction (3% for 5 years with a 0.5% ROI) x TOTAL COST OF PROJECT ANNUAL COST Debt Service (6 percent, 20 years) Operation and Maintenance Pipeline, Wells, and Storage Tanks (1% …
APPENDIX G: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY EQUITY EVALUATION Each strategy considered as part of Water Forward 2024 was evaluated and scored in accordance with the Equity and Affordability Roadmap, as discussed in Appendix B. The strategies were evaluated based on the following themes. The results of this analysis are provided on the following pages. Themes: • Water Supply Reliability o Access to water o Infrastructure resiliency • Public Health o Regulatory requirements o Water quality o Environment • Accountability o Transparancy o Accessibility o Community outreach and education • Affordability and Economic Impacts o Rate impacts o Growth and development o Workforce development Score Summary – Potential Impacts/Benefits • Green highlight: net benefit, 5 points • Yellow highlight: net neutral, 3 points • Red highlight: net burden, 1 point FINAL - Water Forward 2024 Appendix GG - 1 Utility Water Loss Control Themes Questions Potential Impacts/Benefits Water Supply Reliability 1.1 Given that marginalized communities can be the most impacted by emergency situations, how does the strategy impact/benefit Austin Water’s access to water supply, especially during drought or other emergency situations? Benefits: Improved water use efficiency, leaky pipes may be concentrated in areas with older infrastructure, which could include areas in marginalized communities. Replacing leaky pipes and reducing water loss should improve service and reliability. Potential impacts of increased construction to implement replacements and repairs may impact surrounding communities. Water Supply Reliability 1.2 How does the strategy benefit Austin Water’s water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater infrastructure resilience? Reducing water loss should result in improved water use efficiency and should improve infrastructure resilience in areas where water loss reduction projects, such as leaky replacement projects, are implemented. N/A Page 1/3 Score Potential Mitigation Strategies Plan to address construction impacts as part of project implementation Water Supply Reliability Water Supply Reliability Water Supply Reliability Public Health 1.3 Does this strategy create an inequitable maintenance burden for Austin Water customers who are a part of marginalized communities? 1.4 Does this strategy include energy resilience components? 1.5 Can this strategy be tailored to help improve water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater service to marginalized communities? 2.1 How does the proposed strategy help equitably restore, protect, or impact public or ecosystem health (air, land, water, soil)? 2.2 Does the proposed strategy include policy and/or regulatory requirements that pose barriers to marginalized communities accessing the benefits of the strategy? Public Health 2.3 Does the strategy include regulatory requirements that …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix H APPENDIX H: COLORADO RIVER LAND ANALYSIS EVALUATION H.1. Austin Water’s Wildlands Austin Water currently protects over 48,000 acres of land through its Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) and Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) programs. Managed by the Wildland Conservation Division, these lands protect portions of the Lake Austin and Lake Travis watersheds for endangered species habitat, and areas over the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones for the long-term resilience of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Since its inception in 1998, the Water Quality Protection Lands program has been bolstered by five voter-approved bonds, totaling around $230 million, with an additional $24 million from partnerships. As part of this initiative to protect its source water, the City of Austin set a goal to keep overall impervious cover below 10% within the Source Water Protection Area, which includes the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. To help achieve this goal, it is estimated that the City of Austin would need to permanently protect approximately 100,000 acres of land. As of 2024, the City of Austin has been able to acquire permanent protections on over 45,000 acres in this area, the majority of which are managed by Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division. Austin Water will continue to protect current and future water supplies through the active management of these Wildlands. Austin Water will also continue to pursue further additions to the Water Quality Protection Lands and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve which includes prioritizing the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. While the Colorado River Land Analysis focuses on watersheds upstream of Lake Austin, protecting groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer and inflows to Lady Bird Lake remains integral for Austin’s climate and drought resilient future water supply options. H.2. Colorado River Land Analysis Austin’s drinking water supply has benefited from a landscape of rural, largely working lands throughout the Highland Lakes’ watershed. However, land use in Texas is changing rapidly as the state’s population grows. According to Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, the 20 counties in the lower Colorado basin have seen an 87% increase in population and the loss of over 108,000 acres of working lands since 1997. The working lands that remain are increasingly being subdivided into smaller and smaller parcels. These trends are likely to continue, emphasizing the need to plan for upstream water quality protection. Source Water …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix I APPENDIX I: WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ASSESSMENT AND VULNERABILITY EVALUATION I.1. Selecting Water Management Strategy Portfolios The goal of the water management strategy assessment and vulnerability evaluation and selection process is to identify portfolios of water management strategies that, when combined with Austin's core water supplies from the Colorado River and Highland Lakes, will provide a robust and reliable source of water to meet Austin’s demands over the 100-year planning horizon, from 2030-2120. Austin Water has many potential water management strategies that could extend and supplement its core water supplies sourced from the Colorado River. These strategies, compiled from the list of candidates considered in Water Forward 2018 (WF18), include conservation, potable and non-potable reuse, water supply storage, and the development of new water sources. These Water Management strategies are organized into groupings, referred to as portfolios. The evaluation and selection process seeks to identify the best portfolios for Austin Water to address reliability across a wide range of future scenarios while also considering costs and other planning objectives outlined in the Guiding Principles of Water Forward 2024 (WF24). The entire process is referred to as the Water Management Strategy Analysis and Vulnerability Evaluation, or WAVE. A reliable portfolio meets Austin’s water needs over the 100-year planning horizon. These needs are modeled estimates of water supply shortages in each decade if Austin Water implemented no new water management strategies. The needs in each decade vary based on the modeling scenarios, which reflect the wide range of possible future conditions. The WAVE considers varying levels of Austin demand, of basin-wide or regional water supply development, and of climate change impacts over the 100-year planning horizon. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Water Availability Model (WAM), the state’s surface water rights model, is used to evaluate Austin water needs. I.2. Water Management Strategy Evaluation The WAVE proceeds in two components, 1) a Water Management Strategy Evaluation and 2) a Vulnerability Analysis and Adaptive Management Plan. The first component addresses the water supply needs of the first 50 years of the WF24 planning horizon, from 2030 to 2080. The water management strategy evaluation begins by considering a large number of possible portfolios for 2080. Since there are many types of water management strategies that can be combined in various ways, the number of portfolios is very large. Each potential portfolio is evaluated using a simulation modeling …
FINAL Water Forward 2024 Appendix J APPENDIX J: PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION The top ten candidate portfolios were evaluated as described in the following tables: • Table J-1 Water Forward 2024 Objectives and Performance Measures • Table J-2 Water Forward 2024 Objective Descriptions • Table J-3 Water Forward 2024 Performance Measure Descriptions • Table J-4 Water Forward 2024 Equity and Affordability Framework • Table J-5 Water Forward 2024 2080 Portfolios for Evaluation • Table J-6 Water Forward 2024 Raw Portfolio Evaluation Results J - 1 FINAL Water Forward 2024 Appendix J Table J - 1 Water Forward 2024 Objectives and Performance Measures Objective Sub-Objective Performance Measure Data Source Objective Weight Sub- Objective Weight Water Supply Benefits Maximize reliability and resiliency, minimize vulnerability Water Availability Modeling results Maximize portfolio diversity Portfolio diversity score Economic Benefits Maximize cost-effectiveness Cost (lifecycle, capital, operations and maintenance) Strategy Characterization 20% 20% Equity Benefits Equity and affordability score Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Equity & Affordability Tool 8% 8% Water Availability Modeling Portfolio Characterization Water Availability Modeling Strategy Characterization Portfolio Characterization 40% 20% Minimize ecosystem impacts Net return flows Minimize net energy use Operational energy use Environmental Benefits Maximize water use efficiency Potable GPCD Minimize water quality impacts Water quality impact score Qualitative Minimize implementation and operational risk Implementation and operational risk score Qualitative Implementation Benefits Maximize water distribution and wastewater collection system resiliency System resiliency benefits Qualitative 12% 3.5% Maximize local control/local resource Volume of local and AW-controlled water resources Portfolio Characterization 35% 5% 4% 6% 6% 4% 3.5% 5% J - 1 FINAL Water Forward 2024 Appendix J Table J - 2 Water Forward 2024 Objective Descriptions Objective Objective Description Sub-Objective Water Supply Benefits Avoid severe water shortages during drought and a variety of climate change scenarios Include diverse water management strategies that make use of all water sources Maximize portfolio diversity Maximize reliability and resiliency, minimize vulnerability Economic Benefits Evaluate affordability impacts in a holistic manner that balances near-term and long-term costs Maximize cost-effectiveness Equity Benefits Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Maximize positive benefits and minimize negative impacts for marginalized communities Environmental Benefits Develop strategies that continue to protect the natural environment, including source and downstream water quality Minimize ecosystem impacts Minimize net energy use Maximize water use efficiency Minimize water quality impacts Implementation Benefits Develop strategies that are technically, socially, and economically …
WATER FORWARD 2024 | Water Forward 2024 Plan Report FINAL – October 31, 2024 WATER FORWARD 2024 | i Director’s Message Austin Water is doing important work to make sure Austin has a strong and reliable water supply, even as our city faces the challenges of growth, drought, and a changing climate. Over the past few years, Austin Water has put smart strategies in place that have already made a big difference. We've focused on conservation, encouraging our customers to use water wisely through recent hot and dry years. We've also launched GoPurple, a program that will expand our reclaimed water system and includes requirements and incentives for developments to reuse water onsite. We are pursuing water storage strategies to stretch our existing supplies. And working closely with our regional partners, we've strengthened Austin's ability to bridge droughts and provide a sustainable water supply to meet all our community’s water needs. Our work doesn't stop here. Climate science tells us that we must do even more to protect our future. The challenges we face are real, and we need to stay ahead of them. That's why we're committed to learning from our past efforts and adjusting as we go. We've been using an adaptive management approach to closely monitor how our plans are working and make changes as needed. This is a key part of Water Forward 2024, which provides a roadmap for Austin's water future. We've been working hand in hand with the Water Forward Task Force, a group of dedicated community members who help inform our efforts. Together, we've updated the 2018 plan, adjusted our strategies, and responded to the needs we've identified along the way. This collaborative approach has resulted in updates that not only address today's needs but also prepare us for tomorrow's challenges. At Austin Water, work is already underway to carry out this updated plan. We're focused on staying transparent and accountable to you, our community, as we move forward. We know that water is essential to our quality of life, and we're determined to protect this precious resource. As we look to the future, we at Austin Water hold a hopeful vision. Austin is a leader in water conservation and sustainability and we see a future where our city continues to thrive, and where every resident has access to clean and reliable water, no matter what challenges come our way. Together, we can …
DRAFT - Water Forward 2024 Appendix H APPENDIX H: COLORADO RIVER LAND ANALYSIS EVALUATION Austin Water’s Wildlands Austin Water currently protects over 48,000 acres of land through its Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) and Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) programs. Managed by the Wildland Conservation Division, these lands protect portions of the Lake Austin and Lake Travis watersheds for endangered species habitat, and areas over the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones for the long-term resilience of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Since its inception in 1998, the Water Quality Protection Lands program has been bolstered by five voter-approved bonds, totaling around $230 million, with an additional $24 million from partnerships. As part of this initiative to protect its source water, the City of Austin set a goal to keep overall impervious cover below 10% within the Source Water Protection Area, which includes the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. To help achieve this goal, it is estimated that the City of Austin would need to permanently protect approximately 100,000 acres of land. As of 2024, the City of Austin has been able to acquire permanent protections on over 45,000 acres in this area, the majority of which are managed by Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division. Austin Water will continue to protect current and future water supplies through the active management of these Wildlands. Austin Water will also continue to pursue further additions to the Water Quality Protection Lands and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve which includes prioritizing the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. While the Colorado River Land Analysis focuses on watersheds upstream of Lake Austin, protecting groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer and inflows to Lady Bird Lake remains integral for Austin’s climate and drought resilient future water supply options.that meet those programs’ land protection priorities. Colorado River Land Analysis Austin’s drinking water supply has benefited from a landscape of rural, largely working lands throughout the Highland Lakes’ watershed. However, land use in Texas is changing rapidly as the state’s population grows. According to Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, the 20 counties in the lower Colorado basin have seen an 87% increase in population and the loss of over 108,000 acres of working lands since 1997. The working lands that remain are increasingly being subdivided into smaller and smaller parcels. These trends are likely to continue, emphasizing the need to plan for upstream water …
WATER FORWARD 2024 - DRAFT | Water Forward 2024 Plan Report DRAFTFINAL – October 2131, 2024 WATER FORWARD 2024 - DRAFT | i Director’s Message Austin Water is doing important work to make sure Austin has a strong and reliable water supply, even as our city faces the challenges of growth, drought, and a changing climate. Over the past few years, Austin Water has put smart strategies in place that have already made a big difference. We've focused on conservation, encouraging our customers to use water wisely through recent hot and dry years. We've also launched GoPurple, a program that will expand our reclaimed water system and includes requirements and incentives for developments to reuse water onsite. We are pursuing water storage strategies to stretch our existing supplies. And working closely with our regional partners, we've strengthened Austin's ability to bridge droughts and provide a sustainable water supply to meet all our community’s water needs. Our work doesn't stop here. Climate science tells us that we must do even more to protect our future. The challenges we face are real, and we need to stay ahead of them. That's why we're committed to learning from our past efforts and adjusting as we go. We've been using an adaptive management approach to closely monitor how our plans are working and make changes as needed. This is a key part of Water Forward 2024, which provides a roadmap for Austin's water future. We've been working hand in hand with the Water Forward Task Force, a group of dedicated community members who help inform our efforts. Together, we've updated the 2018 plan, adjusted our strategies, and responded to the needs we've identified along the way. This collaborative approach has resulted in updates that not only address today's needs but also prepare us for tomorrow's challenges. At Austin Water, work is already underway to carry out this updated plan. We're focused on staying transparent and accountable to you, our community, as we move forward. We know that water is essential to our quality of life, and we're determined to protect this precious resource. As we look to the future, we at Austin Water hold a hopeful vision. Austin is a leader in water conservation and sustainability and we see a future where our city continues to thrive, and where every resident has access to clean and reliable water, no matter what challenges come our …
10/31/24 Executive Summary Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies Documentation of WF24 edits made between 10/21/24 and 10/31/24 versions Chapter Nature of Edits Acknowledgements • Added staff and corrected titles Page in Redline Version Page in Clean Copy Version 4 4 • Corrected "Summary of Water Forward 2024 Strategies, 2030-2080" table - added 3,000 AF from Capture Local Inflows to Water Supply Strategies Sub-Total and Water Forward Strategies Overall Total in 2050-2080 32 31 • Corrected "Summary of Water Forward 2024 Strategies, 2030-2080" table - added 3,000 AF from Capture Local Inflows to Water Supply Strategies Sub-Total and Water Forward Strategies Overall Total in 2050-2080 34 32 • Added a return before sentence with GPCD savings in Utility-Side Water Loss Control strategy description. • Added call-out box to define GPCD 35 33 • Added a bullet to the Water Loss Control Strategy 36 34 • Added a return before sentence with GPCD Five Year Implementation Actions to say, "Continue replacement of polybutylene service lines through the Renewing Austin Program (2024)." savings in Customer -Side Water Use Management strategy description. • Corrected 2050-2080 volumes in the Customer Water-Use Management Annual Yield Targets Table • Added a return before sentence with GPCD savings in Native and Efficient Landscapes strategy description. Lake" to IPR header • Updated IPR graphic • Incorporated Sarah Faust's edits by deleting “when available and” and adding, “in particular from Barton Creek and Barton Springs.” Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies 37 35 Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies 46 44 • Added "and Capture Local Inflows to Lady Bird 1 10/31/24 Chapter Nature of Edits Page in Redline Version Page in Clean Copy Version Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies 47 45 Ch. 5 - Future Water Strategies 49 46 • Deleted bullet: “Implement recommended • Corrected spelling of "severe" under annual yield targets table • Added language in 5 Year Implementation Actions, first bullet, to say, "to include development of project configuration and sizing components" improvements to the Service Extension Request process, per Austin Water’s October 1, 2024 memo to Mayor and Council.” • Added bullet: “Continue to work with new development on “fit-for purpose" water use strategies in accordance with Austin Water's requirements and incentives related to benchmarking, on-site water reuse, and connections to the centralized reclaimed water …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix C APPENDIX C: POPULATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND DEMAND PROJECTIONS Integrated water resource planning provides a blueprint that ensures residents and businesses in Austin have sustainable access to clean water now and into the future. To properly plan and manage Austin’s water resources, it is critical to have a reasonable understanding and characterization of how and where water is currently used in the city as well as quantifiable estimates of how much water will be needed in the future. Appendix C.1 describes the primary tool used to characterize and explore water demands, referred to as the Disaggregated Demand Model (DDM). Using the tool, current water use is defined, as described in Appendix C.2, and future demand is projected, as described in Appendix C.3. These sections describe the City’s water demand at the water source (diversions), at the water treatment plant (pumpage), and at the Austin Water customers’ meters (consumption). C.1. Disaggregated Demand Model The foundation of the Water Forward 2024 water demand estimates is the underlying DDM, which evaluates historical demand, population, housing units, and employment and uses projections of future population, housing units, and employment to project future demands. The DDM was used to develop a range of demands based on high, medium, and low population and employment projections. The DDM provides the analytical environment for assessing potential water savings from conservation and reuse measures being evaluated during plan development. The DDM also includes functionality to assess water demands under future climatic scenarios and tracks water consumption by end uses, which informs the assessment of yield potential for decentralized supply options. The following sections describe the model’s attributes, primary data sources, and development. C.1.1. Demand Model Attributes The DDM is a data-driven Python tool that models water use by sector, subsector, and end use at geographic planning units for current demands as well as high, medium, and low demand projections for the key planning horizons of 2040, 2080, and 2120. Austin Water staff conducted this analysis using geographic units known as the Delphi, Trends, and Imagine Austin (DTI) polygons, which refers to Austin’s comprehensive plan, Imagine Austin. The DTI polygons divide the city into 235 geographic units. The area covered by the DTI polygons includes the City of Austin’s full and limited purpose jurisdictions, as well as the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction, as shown in Figure C-1. The DDM provides an estimate of existing and future …
REGULAR MEETING of the ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PANEL Monday, November 4th, 2024, at 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Members of the ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PANEL may participate by video conference. Public comment will be allowed remotely via video conference or telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item 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 participation. To register to speak, call or email AIPP Program Manager Jaime Castillo at jaime.castillo@austintexas.gov, (512) 974-7852. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Chair – Stephanie Lemmo, Vice Chair – J Muzacz, Andrew Danziger, Taylor Davis, Bernardo Diaz, Kristi-Anne Shaer, Monica Maldonado – Arts Commission Liaison CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve minutes of the Art in Public Places Panel Regular Meeting on October 7th, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion of Arts Commission Liaison Report on Action Items from October 21, 2024, Arts Commissions Meeting by Arts Commission Liaison Maldonado Discussion: Review the Mid Design for Longhorn Dam Bridge – Reginald Adams Discussion: Update on AUS Airport Expansion Development Plan (AEDP) Phase 1 3. 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. ACTION: Approve Final Design for Burnet Road Corridor Project – Level Up Design ACTION: Approve Final Design for Barton Springs Bathhouse – Lys Santamaria 7. 8. ACTION: Approve Final Design for Corridor Segment B: Mary Moore Searight Park – Calder Kamin ACTION: Approve 10 Recommended artists & 5 Alternate artists for the Architecturally- Integrated Art in Public Places projects for the Austin Convention Center Redevelopment ACTION: Nominate Art in Public Places panel member to Deaccession Jury Art in Public Places Staff Briefing on Conservation, Current Projects, and Milestones 9. STAFF BRIEFINGS 10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT 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 AIPP Program Manager Jaime Castillo at jaime.castillo@austintexas.gov or (512) 974- 7852 for additional information; TTY …
FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix D APPENDIX D: CLIMATE AND HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS The Water Forward 2024 (WF24) Climate and Hydrology Analysis is a set of collaborative tasks between Austin Water, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), and consultant Richard Hoffpauir, Phd, PE (Hoffpauir Consulting). The tasks within the Climate and Hydrology Analysis were developed with input from the Water Forward Climate Technical Advisory Group (CTAG). The goal of the Climate and Hydrology Analysis was to provide Austin Water with projections of temperature, precipitation, and streamflow based on various future warming pathways from General Circulation Models (GCMs), also known as global climate models. The projection data was used to develop hydrologic scenarios for modeling future water supply needs and water management strategy portfolio performance across a range of possible future conditions. The Climate and Hydrology Analysis tasks and results are documented in a series of technical memoranda which are included in this Appendix. The tasks numbers and titles are as follows: • Task 2: GCM Selection • Task 3: Downscaling • Task 4: Hydrologic Modeling • Task 5: Climate Scenario Inputs for WAM • Task 6: Stochastic Drought Sequences Note that Task 1 of the Climate and Hydrology Analysis addressed project management and did not produce a technical memorandum. D - 1 FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix D Task 2: Selection of General Circulation Models April 2022 Prepared by: The University of Texas at Austin Summary This report summarizes the efforts as part of the UT-CoA project for evaluation of 35 General Circulations Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) in the Colorado River Basin. The goal is to find the most appropriate models by comparing the model results with observational datasets. Statistical analysis of three variables, including precipitation, temperature, and the number of dry days, provides quantitative assessment against the observational datasets. A methodology for scoring model performance is presented. Taylor diagrams are also used for visual comparison across multiple models. Finally, best- performing GCMs are suggested for use in the future tasks. D - 2 FINAL – Water Forward 2024 Appendix D List of Acronyms CMIP Coupled Model Intercomparison Project CPC Climate Predictions Center GCM General Circulation Model (or Global Climate Model) NDD Number of Dry Days P Precipitation R Correlation coefficient T Temperature UDEL University of Delaware WAM Water Availability Model WRCP World Climate Research Program D - …
LGBTQIA2S HISTORY IN AUSTIN LGBTQ Austin timeline 1958 The Manhattan Club, possibly Austin’s 1st gay bar, opens at 911 Congress 1970 Gay Liberation Front local chapter founded- 1st public gay and lesbian meeting in Austin 1971 First National Gay National Liberation Front Conference held in Austin 1974 After a 3-year court challenge, UT-Austin recognizes its first gay organization 1975 - Austin Lesbian Organization established, which eventually led to the opening of Bookwoman, an LGBTQ-owned business still open today - Austin City Council passes an Equal Employment Opportunity Ordinance that included an anti-discrimination protection for sexual orientation – a first for Texas 1976 - Austin City Council passes a Public Accommodations Ordinance with sexual orientation protection - Austin Mayor Jeff Friedman declared June 20-26 as Gay Pride Celebration Week 1982 - Lesbian/Gay Rights Advocates “LGRA” was established - Austin voters defeat a referendum (with 63% of the vote) that would make it legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation 1985 ALLGO, Austin Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization, is established to provide space, HIV/AIDS care, and outreach to LGBTQ communities of color LGBTQ Austin timeline 1986 LGRA becomes Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas “LGRL” 1989 March on Austin for Lesbian/Gay Rights, at the time the largest demonstration in Austin’s history 1990 the 1st modern day Austin Pride Festival was held 1991 Glen Maxey becomes the first openly gay man elected to the Texas Legislature, representing Southeast Austin and Travis County 2002 the 1st Austin Pride Parade 2004 Austin City Council unanimously passes comprehensive non-discrimination protections to Transgender individuals 2005 LGRL becomes Equality Texas 2009 Queerbomb was established as an alternative to Austin Pride 2021 Austin Trans Pride was established Sources: The History of the LGBTQ Movement in Austin: From Stonewall to today, how Pride has progressed in our city - News - The Austin Chronicle LGBTQ+ History in Austin
COMMISSION ON IMMIMGRANT AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2024 COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Ortega called the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting to order at 6:46 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Melissa Ortega, Adrian De La Rosa Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Vice Chair Miriam Dorantes, Victor Martinez, Shweta Padmanabha, Jeanne “Canan” Kaba, Luis Osta Lugo, Kevin Countie PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING on 9/16/2024. The minutes from the special called meeting of September 16, 2024, were approved with the following amendment on Commissioner Martinez’s motion, Chair Ortega’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Joshi was absent. The amendment was to revise the action for items 8 through 14 to read “Withdrawn.” DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding general update and invitation for the Commissioners to spread the word about the citizenship clinic from Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager, Equity Office. The presentation was made by Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager, Equity Office. Discussion on planning a retreat for all Commissioners in the coming months. Discussed. COMMISSION ON IMMIMGRANT AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2024 4. Presentation by Amanda Rohlich, Business Process Consultant Sr., Food Policy Advisor, Office of Sustainability, on the Austin/Travis County Food Plan. The presentation was made by Amanda Rohlich, Business Process Consultant Sr., Food Policy Advisor, Office of Sustainability DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and approval of the Commissioners attending the Joint Inclusion Committee’s FY26 Community Input Sessions on October 2nd, October 16th, November 6th, and November 20th, 2024. Discussed with no action. Chair Ortega, Vice Chair Dorantes, Commissioner Countie, and Commissioner Kaba indicated they may attend the October 16, November 6, and November 20, 2024, sessions. Discussion and approval of The Commission on Immigrant Affairs' Regular Meeting schedule (dates and location) for 2025. The motion to approve the Commission on Immigrant Affairs 2025 meeting schedule was approved on Commissioner Martinez’s motion, Commissioner De La Rosa’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Joshi was absent. Discussion and approval of the Joint Inclusion Committee’s Regular Meeting schedule (dates and location) for 2025. Withdrawn. 6. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 was made by Commissioner Martinez and approved …
SAWA SAWA Creating Meaningful Connections through Kenyan Woven Art & Fashion Diversity, Sustainability, and Cultural Connection Mission: To create sustainable, handcrafted products that empower artisans and promote cultural exchange Vision: A world connected through responsible, meaningful fashion that enriches lives and communities globally Anne Drane, Founder of SAWA SAWA ABOUT US Anne Drane’s journey began in Kenya, where she grew up surrounded by vibrant, rich traditions that celebrated the resilience and creativity of her community. Years after moving to the United States, Anne found herself missing this unique connection to her homeland and the artistry that defined it. Driven by a desire to bridge her two worlds, Anne founded SAWA SAWA, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Kenyan women artisans. By connecting these artisans with consumers in Austin and beyond, SAWA SAWA offers a way for Austinites to experience and support the beauty of Kenyan craftsmanship in a sustainable, impactful way. The organization’s name, “SAWA SAWA”—meaning “it will be well”—echoes this message of hope and resilience. Each handcrafted product represents the unique stories and expertise of the women who create them, while fostering economic independence and preserving heritage. Through SAWA SAWA, Anne envisions a future where conscious consumers can make choices that connect them to the artisans behind their goods, creating meaningful connections between Austin and Kenya, one piece at a time. MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS Meaningful Cultural Immersion Travel ART IN PUBLIC SPACES SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS Agave Leather Beads Natural dye Grass Website sawasawausa.com linktr.ee/sawasawausa CONTACT DETAILS Email Address info@sawasawausa.com Phone Number 737-3330594
