Towards a Circular City Maddie Morgan Circular Economy Program Manager Why we do this work Zero Waste Goal Reduce waste by 90% Climate Equity Plan Net-zero community- wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 New Plastics Economy Global Commitment Reduce & eliminate problematic plastics 2 3 Circular Economy Program Support Circular Businesses Change Behavior Lead by Example 4 Supporting Circular Businesses and Entrepreneurs In partnership with Economic Development Technical assistance Conduct individual business consultations to understand challenges, growth opportunities, and provide resources Entrepreneurs, small to medium sized enterprises, nonprofits Goal: meet with 20 enterprises quarterly 6 Roundtables and networking events Host roundtables and workshops, as time and bandwidth allows Circular Connect and Share: annual networking and professional development event 7 Circular Showcase Est. 2020 Pitch competition for circular businesses $10,000 cash prize Applications open thru November 16. Eligibility requirements: Focused on circular economy, zero waste or sustainability In operation for at least 12 months < $500,000 in lifetime outside funding Annual revenue between $35,000 and $250,000 or raised > $100,000 to date Located within Austin city limits www.austintexas.gov/circularshowcase Save the date! May 14, 2026 8 Circular Accelerator Est. 2023 Three-month program with evening workshops and business coaching Culminates in soft pitch; top 3 earn spot in Showcase to compete for $2,000 Applications open thru November 16 Eligibility requirements: Idea focused on circular economy, zero waste or sustainability Annual revenue < $35,000 Outside funding < $35,000 Founder or representative lives or attends school in Austin city limits www.austintexas.gov/circularshowcase 9 Encouraging Circular Behaviors Austin Reuse Directory Online resource for Austinites to find where to donate, buy used, rent, refill and fix items. ~550 listings Annual campaign Recently added ability to track what search combinations people are making FY25: Added 50 new listings 22,500 visitors 10% return rate Newly added community event calendar featuring reuse, repair and upcycling events in the area www.austinreusedirectory.com 11 12 13 MoveOutATX Est. 2018 End-of-July program to rehome usable items during West Campus move-out Host temporary donation stations Partner with 6-10 reuse organizations Facilitate the Free Furniture Market (est’d in 2022) Tons diverted Furniture pieces rehomed Economic value 21.5 271 819 3,738 $46,537 $639,247 FY25 Since FY18 austintexas.gov/moveoutatx 14 Fix-It Austin Est. Fall 2015 Repair education …
To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery November 12, 2025 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Circular Accelerator and Showcase Applications Open The City of Austin offers pathways to support circular entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized enterprises. Opportunities to compete for cash prizes and improve their circular business ideas through workshops and technical assistance is available every year through the Circular Showcase and Circular Accelerator programs. Applications will be open October 13 to November 16. For more information visit https://austintexas.gov/circularshowcase. Brownfields Community Wide Assessment Grant The City of Austin was awarded a $500,000 grant from the EPA to assess and sustainably reuse brownfield sites. Brownfields are defined as real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be hindered by the potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Over a four-year period, this funding will support environmental site assessments, asbestos and lead paint surveys, as well as cleanup and reuse planning. These efforts facilitate turning underutilized properties into assets benefitting the community, including affordable housing, parkland, and green spaces. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/brownfields International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification The department is seeking possible certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in December 2025. ISO is a non-governmental body that establishes voluntary standards to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency across products, services, and systems. Solid Waste Service departments in San Antinio and Dallas have achieved this certification demonstrating commitment to improve ISO operational efficiency and at: https://www.iso.org/home.html. confidence. More information on customer increase Fix-It Austin Toy Hospital On November 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Fix-It Austin hosted a Toy Hospital. Residents learned how to repair broken toys with guidance from skilled volunteers. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/fixit. Cyclovia ATX On November 8, Austin Resource Recovery provided full-service support for Cyclovia ATX (formerly Viva Streets). Trash and recycling bins were placed across nine designated zones within the Mueller neighborhood and surrounding areas. Additionally. street sweeping services were be provided for bike lanes for the event. Veterans Day Parade On November 11, The Veterans Day Parade was held on Congress Avenue. Austin Resource Recovery staff and vehicles participated in the parade and provided street sweeping services. Central City District Plan: Open Houses Austin Resource Recovery will partner with Austin Planning at their upcoming Open Houses for the Central City District Plan. The in-person event will take place at ACC Rio Grande …
To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery November 12, 2025 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Circular Accelerator and Showcase Applications Open The City of Austin offers pathways to support circular entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized enterprises. Opportunities to compete for cash prizes and improve their circular business ideas through workshops and technical assistance is available every year through the Circular Showcase and Circular Accelerator programs. Applications will be open October 13 to November 16. For more information visit https://austintexas.gov/circularshowcase. Brownfields Community Wide Assessment Grant The City of Austin was awarded a $500,000 grant from the EPA to assess and sustainably reuse brownfield sites. Brownfields are defined as real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be hindered by the potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Over a four-year period, this funding will support environmental site assessments, asbestos and lead paint surveys, as well as cleanup and reuse planning. These efforts facilitate turning underutilized properties into assets benefitting the community, including affordable housing, parkland, and green spaces. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/brownfields International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification The department is seeking possible certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in December 2025. ISO is a non-governmental body that establishes voluntary standards to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency across products, services, and systems. Solid Waste Service departments in San Antinio and Dallas have achieved this certification demonstrating commitment to improve ISO operational efficiency and at: https://www.iso.org/home.html. confidence. More information on customer increase Fix-It Austin Toy Hospital On November 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Fix-It Austin hosted a Toy Hospital. Residents learned how to repair broken toys with guidance from skilled volunteers. Learn more at: https://www.austintexas.gov/fixit. Cyclovia ATX On November 8, Austin Resource Recovery provided full-service support for Cyclovia ATX (formerly Viva Streets). Trash and recycling bins were placed across nine designated zones within the Mueller neighborhood and surrounding areas. Additionally. street sweeping services were be provided for bike lanes for the event. Veterans Day Parade On November 11, The Veterans Day Parade was held on Congress Avenue. Austin Resource Recovery staff and vehicles participated in the parade and provided street sweeping services. Central City District Plan: Open Houses Austin Resource Recovery will partner with Austin Planning at their upcoming Open Houses for the Central City District Plan. The in-person event will take place at ACC Rio Grande …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025 – 4:00 P.M. AUSTIN WATER HEADQUARTERS WALLER CREEK CENTER 625 E 10TH STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Water and Wastewater Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Vicky Addie, 512-972-0332, vicky.addie@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Chair (District 8) Amanda Marzullo (District 3) Alex Navarro (District 2) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Mike Reyes (District 4) Evan Wolstencroft (District 5) Marcela Tuñón, Vice Chair (District 9) William Moriarty (Mayor) Alex Ortiz (District 7) Jesse Penn (District 1) Shannon Trilli (District 10) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers signed up to speak at 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 the minutes of the Water and Wastewater Commission Regular meeting on October 15, 2025. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Vicky Addie at Austin Water, at 512-972-0332 or vicky.addie@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Recommend approval of a contract for Wallace and Tiernan parts for critical equipment for Austin Water with Environmental Improvements, Inc. for an initial term of two years with up to three one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $1,261,600. Funding: $231,293 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Recommend approval of a contract for construction services for the Northwest Area Lift Station Improvements: Four Points Center Lift Station with Facilities Rehabilitation, Inc., in the amount of $3,774,900 plus a $377,490 …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 15, 2025 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a regular called meeting on October 15, 2025 at Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th Street, Austin, Texas. Commission Members in Attendance: Amanda Marzullo (remote), Chair Chris Maxwell-Gaines, William Moriarty (remote), Alex Ortiz, Shwetha Pandurangi, Mike Reyes (remote), Vice Chair Marcela Tuñón (remote), and Evan Wolstencroft (remote) Commission Members Absent: Alex Navarro, Jesse Penn and Shannon Trilli Chair Maxwell-Gaines called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 4:03 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers were registered. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the September 17, 2025 regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes were approved with a date correction read into the record on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Reyes’ second on a 7-0 vote with three absences and Commissioner Ortiz off the dais. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for engineering services for the Pilot Knob Supply Water Transmission Main Project for Austin Capital Delivery Services with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000. Funding: $20,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Recommended on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Reyes’ second on a 7-0 vote with three absences and Commissioner Ortiz off the dais. 3. Recommend approval to authorize a rotation list set of twelve contracts for engineering services for the 2025 Small Scale Water and Wastewater Pipeline Engineering Services Rotation List with Quiddity Engineering, LLC, Weston Solutions, Inc., Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Tetra Tech, Inc., DAVCAR, Inc., dba DAVCAR Engineering Services, Riley Mountain Engineering, LLC, Martinez, Wright & Mendez, Inc., dba MWM DesignGroup, AtkinsRealis, USA, Inc., LJA Engineering, Inc., BGE, Inc., dba Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc., Doucet & Associates, Inc., and Halff Associates, Inc., for total contract amount not to exceed $26,000,000, divided among the firms. Funding: $26,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of the Austin Water. Recommended on Commissioner Ortiz’s motion and Chair Maxwell-Gaines’ second on a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Pandurangi and Reyes recusing and three absences. 4. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for finance consulting services for Austin Water with NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC., for an initial term of one-year with up to four one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $340,000. Funding: $180,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Water. …
Item 2 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: November 20, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for Wallace and Tiernan parts for critical water and wastewater equipment for Austin Water with Environmental Improvements, Inc. for an initial term of two years with up to three one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $1,261,600. Funding: $231,293 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Client Department(s) Austin Water. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $231,293 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Procurement Language: Sole Source. MBE/WBE: Sole source contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12 , 2025 - To be reviewed by the Austin Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide proprietary Wallace and Tiernan, industry-standard parts for critical equipment such as chlorinators, ammoniators, and Encore 700 pumps used to feed numerous treatment chemicals used at water and wastewater plants. Environmental Improvements Inc. is the exclusive distributor and authorized service provider representative for Evoqua Water Technologies, LLC, for equipment service and sales of aftermarket parts to municipal customers. The contract replaces a contract expiring August 4, 2027. The contract is being replaced early due to low remaining contract authority. Spend was higher than expected due to unexpected failures of actuators and ammoniators. Requested authorization is based on historical spending and departmental estimates of future needs. The contractor is the current provider of these goods. If a contract is not approved, it will prevent repair and maintenance of critical equipment, and interrupt the water and wastewater treatment process. Item 2 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: November 20, 2025 Contract Details: Contract Term Initial Term Optional Extension 1 Optional Extension 2 Optional Extension 3 Total Length of Term 2 years 1 year 1 year 1 year 5 years Contract Authorization $ 504,640 $ 252,320 $ 252,320 $ 252,320 $1,261,600 Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage.
Item 3 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: November 20, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the Northwest Area Lift Station Improvements: Four Points Center Lift Station for Austin Capital Delivery Services with Facilities Rehabilitation, Inc., in the amount of $3,774,900 plus a $377,490 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,152,390. Funding: $4,152,390 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Managing Department Austin Capital Delivery Services. Amount and Source of Funding Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Procurement Language: Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1075 for these goods and services. The solicitation was issued on June 16, 2025, and closed on July 17, 2025. Of the eight offers received, the bid submitted by the recommended contractor was the lowest responsive bid received. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=141652 . MBE/WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 98.42% MBE and 1.58% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This project will include improvements to a lift station identified in the Northwest Lift Station Long Range Planning Engineering Study to improve the wastewater system in Bull Creek wastewater basin. The lift station was built in 1998 as a wet well duplex station and requires rehabilitation to extend its useful life, ensuring the lift station operates in good working order and minimize ongoing maintenance costs. This project consists of rehabilitating an existing lift station to provide reliable service. The rehabilitated lift station design includes wet well coatings, valves, pumps, odor control equipment, electrical, communication, emergency generator, and resilience improvements to meet current City standards. Construction of these improvements will allow Austin Water to continue providing wastewater services to the increasing population in the area, as well as reducing noxious odors impacting the community. Due to the potential for unknown subsurface conditions a 10% contingency in funding has been included to allow for the expeditious processing of any change orders to cover any unforeseen construction costs …
Item 4 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: November 20, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize an amendment to the contract for engineering services for the Center Street Pump Station Replacement and Electrical Improvements project with CDM Smith, Inc., in the amount of $6,000,000 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $12,000,000 Funding: $6,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Managing Department Austin Capital Delivery Services. Amount and Source of Funding Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Procurement Language: Contract Amendment. MBE / WBE: Note: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). Current participation to date is 21.23% MBE and 23.78% WBE. Prior Council Action: January 26, 2023 – Council approved a professional service agreement with CDM Smith, Inc. for the Center Street Pump Station Replacement and Electrical Improvements project. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission January 18, 2023 – Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on a vote of 6-0 vote Commissioner Michel’s motion, Chair Lee’s second, with Commissioner Penn recusing, Commissioners Musgrove and Turrieta absent and two vacancies. Additional Backup Information: The Center Street Reservoir and Pump Station Facility is part of Austin Water’s water distribution system consisting of water storage facilities, pump stations, and water pipes. The Center Street Pump Station moves water from the Central Zone of the distribution system to the south portion of the Central Zone. The Center Street Reservoir and Pump Station Facility shares site access with an EMS station, a City of Austin fuel station, and Austin Water’s Electrical and Instrumentation & Control Maintenance shop. The existing pump station and electrical substation have exceeded their useful life and require replacement to meet current Austin Water standards. The project is currently in the design phase, where the consultant, CDM Smith, Inc., is designing a new pump station and making specific improvements to the site. Item 4 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: November 20, 2025 The services to be provided under this amendment are for continued design and bid phase engineering services to support the construction contract. It is anticipated that the new facility will be located entirely within the existing fenced area. Once the construction …
Item 5 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the defeasance of certain outstanding Water and Wastewater System Revenue Bonds, including authorizing the execution of an escrow agreement, and related documents. Funding: $46,633,211 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of the Combined Utility Revenue Bond Redemption Fund. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of the Combined Utility Revenue Bond Redemption Fund. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025 – Item to be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: A defeasance is a method of using available cash to pay off outstanding debt. The cash is placed in an escrow account with an escrow agent to make principal and interest payments on the required payment date for the bonds being deceased to the redemption date. Once the escrow is funded, the debt obligations payable from the escrow are no longer secured by or payable from the revenues initially pledged to their payment and the debt is legally and financially retired. The proposed related defeasance item seeks authorization to defense, or pay off, certain maturities of the City’s outstanding Water and Wastewater System Revenue Bonds. This process allows Austin Water to remove the debt from its books, which reduces debt levels, reduces interest, and improves debt service coverage by lowering the burden of debt service payments in the short-term. Also, this proposed defeasance action is in direct relation to achieving Water and Wastewater System rate stability over the next few years. The source of funds for the defeasance is Impact Fee/Capital Recovery Fee (CRF), Austin Water operating funds that includes cash collected from the developers of Indian Hills and Whisper Valley pursuant to the 2007 Cost Reimbursement Agreement. Impact fee/CRF collections are restricted in use by Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395.012. Allowable uses include paying costs of constructing capital or facility improvements, and pledging for payment of debt service issued to finance capital or facility improvements identified in the Impact Fee Capital Improvements Plan 5-Year Update. For this defeasance transaction, PFM Financial Advisors LLC will serve as Municipal Advisor, McCall, Parkhurst & Horton L.L.P. will serve as bond counsel, and The Arbitrage Group will serve as serving as Verification Agent.
Item 6 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Water Operating Fund (Ordinance No. 20250815-005) to increase transfers out to the Combined Utility Revenue Bond Redemption Fund by $16,633,211; and amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Combined Utility Revenue Bond Redemption Fund (Ordinance No. 20250815-005) to increase transfers in by $16,633,211 and increasing appropriations by $16,633,211 to defease and redeem outstanding Water and Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds. Funding: Funding is available in the ending balances of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Water operating funds. ..De Lead Department Austin Water. Fiscal Note Funding is available in the ending balances of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Water operating funds. Reduction of these ending balance will maintain Austin Water’s compliance with relevant City financial policies. Prior Council Action: August 15, 2025 – Council approved Ordinance No. 20250815-005 adopting the Austin Water Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This budget amendment is related to the defeasance item that would authorize Austin Water to pay off certain maturities of the City’s outstanding Water and Wastewater System Revenue Bonds. A defeasance is a method of using available cash to pay off outstanding debt. The cash is placed in an escrow account held by a trustee to make principal and interest payments on the required payment date for the bonds being defeased until redemption or maturity. Once the defeasance is funded, the obligations payable from the escrow are no longer secured by or payable from the revenues initially pledged to their payment. The proposed related defeasance item seeks authorization to pay off certain maturities of the City’s outstanding Water and Wastewater System Revenue Bonds. This process allows Austin Water to remove the debt from its books, which reduces debt levels, reduces interest expense, and improves debt service coverage by lowering the burden of debt service payments in the short-term. Also, this proposed defeasance action is in direct relation to achieving a Water and Wastewater System rate stability over the next few years. The total source of funds for the defeasance of $46,633,211 will be provided from a combination of $30,000,000 in Impact Fee/ Capital Recovery Fee (CRF) collections, 16,633,211 in Austin Water Operating Funds, of which …
Item 7 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for engineering services for Lime Sustainability and Water Treatment Process Evaluation for Austin Water with Hazen and Sawyer, D.P.C., in an amount not to exceed $1,100,000. Funding: $1,100,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Managing Department Austin Capital Delivery Services. Amount and Source of Funding Funding of $1,100,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Procurement Language: Austin Financial Services issued a Request for Qualifications solicitation RFQS CLMP387 for these services. The solicitation was issued on June 28, 2025, and closed on August 6, 2025. Of the Six offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at: https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=142729. MBE / WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). No goals were established for this solicitation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: As part of Austin Water’s (AW) ongoing efforts to enhance operational resilience, this study will evaluate AW’s existing water treatment processes and explore alternatives for long-term sustainability. AW’s three water treatment plants – Davis, Ullrich, and Handcox – utilize lime softening in the treatment process to remove naturally-occurring calcium and magnesium in order to reduce hardness in the finished water. For decades, AW’s treatment process has produced high-quality drinking water that remains consistent throughout our distribution system, serving more than a million customers. The lime softening process requires frequent deliveries of large quantities of lime and produces significant lime residuals that must be dewatered and disposed off-site. AW maintains contracts with two vendors to supply lime and owns and operates a disposal site for residuals. Risks to AW’s operational resilience include increasing supply chain volatility, rising material costs, and storage and disposal space limitations. This project includes a desktop evaluation and feasibility study of the existing treatment process and several alternatives, including reusing spent lime and treatment options that do not use lime. This study will build on previous evaluations and explore innovative processes that may now be viable. The …
Item 8 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: November 20, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to execute a collaboration agreement with stakeholders related to field testing for an Aquifer Storage & Recovery project in Bastrop County. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. Should the project move forward, the future financial impact will be determined as specific funding needs are presented to City Council in alignment with Austin Water’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. ..De Lead Department Austin Water. Fiscal Note This item has no fiscal impact. Should the project move forward, the future financial impact will be determined as specific funding needs are presented to City Council in alignment with Austin Water’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. Prior Council Action: November 21, 2024 - Council approved the updated Water Forward Plan. August 27, 2020 - Council approved a contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. for engineering services for an Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot and Program Management in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000. November 29, 2018 - Council approved the Water Forward Plan. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This action is to enter into a collaboration agreement with stakeholders related to Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) field testing in Bastrop County. After extensive scientific study through a desktop analysis phase that began in 2022, Austin Water identified a portion of the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in Bastrop County as a location to conduct exploratory field testing for an ASR project. The location was identified based on favorable geotechnical characteristics of the aquifer that provide the potential ability to safely store and retrieve large quantities of water. ASR is one of several water supply strategies in the Water Forward Plan, Austin’s 100-year water plan. The proposed project would store drinking water supply, which is sourced from the Colorado River and Highland Lakes upstream of Austin and treated at one of three water treatment plants. During times of water availability, water would be piped to the ASR project location to be stored deep underground. Before being stored in the aquifer, the water would be further treated to be compatible with native groundwater. When stored water is needed, it would be pumped back to Austin Water’s system. A Bastrop County ASR stakeholder group was formed in April 2025. Nine stakeholder meetings were held through September 30, …
November 11, 2025 The Honorable Kirk Watson Mayor, City of Austin P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767 RE: Request for Reconsideration of Austin’s Proposed Bastrop County ASR Project and MOU Dear Mayor Watson and Members of the Austin City Council; I am writing to urge the City of Austin to immediately reconsider its plan to move forward with the proposed Aquifer Storage & Recovery project in Bastrop County and the signing of the related MOU. The people of Bastrop County could not have been clearer in their opposition. Residents have packed every meeting, submitted countless comments, and raised legitimate concerns—but their voices have fallen on deaf ears at City Hall. The root issue is trust. From the day this project was announced in 2021, Austin has struggled to earn it. A lack of early communication and an approach where Austin Water dictated the terms rather than engaged as a partner created deep local skepticism. When Austin did come to the table, it only did so after I filed legislation to restrict this project. The community meetings that followed did not repair trust or provide full answers. That is why not a single elected official in Bastrop County has supported the MOU or the ASR project behind it—a fact carries real weight. Crossing county lines to inject treated water into an aquifer that serves another community is not responsible planning. It is overreach, plain and simple, and it plants a permanent flag of authority in a county that has made its objections known. The truth is: Austin has other options. The City can address the almost 30,000 acre-feet of water losses identified in its own audit, pursue smaller but viable sites within Travis County, and manage its resources responsibly without imposing on Bastrop County landowners. Signing this MOU would commit Austin taxpayers to millions of dollars in spending for a project that faces unanimous opposition from the citizens of Bastrop County. I have already passed legislation to block this overreach once and will continue to use every legislative and lawful tool available to stop it permanently. Moving forward now would only invite additional roadblocks and waste more of Austin’s taxpayer dollars on a project that will inevitably be stopped. The Legislature has already demonstrated strong interest in clarifying how cross-jurisdictional ASR projects are handled, and any attempt to advance a project with zero local support will only accelerate that scrutiny. For …
Item 9 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the Guildford Cove Boosted Pressure Zone Waterline Improvements for Austin Capital Delivery Services with Packsaddle Management LLC, in the amount of $3,554,944 plus a $355,495 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,910,439. Funding: $3,910,439 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Managing Department Austin Capital Delivery Services. Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Procurement Language: Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1125 for these construction services. The solicitation published on July 14, 2025, and closed on September 4, 2025. Of the nine offers received, the bids submitted by the recommended contractor was the lowest responsive bid received. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=142744 . MBE/WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 8.41% MBE and 1.03% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025- To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The Guildford Cove Boosted Pressure Zone Waterline Improvements project will enhance the water distribution capacity in the Long Canyon neighborhood to provide increased system capacity, reliability, and resilience improvements in the area. In 2020, the City adopted the new code for Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas where structures and infrastructure are in or adjacent to areas at risk of wildfire. The Long Canyon neighborhood is within the City's WUI, putting it at an elevated risk of wildfire. This project will install approximately 7,500 feet of waterline parallel to existing capacity constrained waterlines along Guildford Cove, Leaning Rock Circle, Bell Mountain Drive, and Cuesta Trail to increase fire flow (water supply from the fire hydrant) and capacity in the Guildford Cove Hydropneumatic Distribution System. Plans include removing existing fire hydrants and installing new fire hydrants to facilitate increased fire flow. Item 9 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 This item includes one allowance of $40,000 to be used to address private landscaping impacts/repairs. An allowance is an amount that is specified …
Item 10 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the West Bank Lift Station Odor Control Facility for Austin Capital Delivery Services with Arguijo Corporation, in the amount of $673,012 plus a $67,302 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $740,313. Funding: $740,313 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Managing Department Austin Capital Delivery Services. Amount and Source of Funding Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Procurement Language: Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB CLMC1116 for these services. The solicitation was issued on September 15, 2025, and closed on October 9, 2025. Of the two offers received, the bids submitted by the recommended contractor were the lowest responsive bids received. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=142 509. MBE/WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 16.96% MBE and 1.59% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025- To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This project will address the odor complaints, reduce locations of pressurized air in the collection system, and mitigate corrosion at the West Bank Lift Station. Wastewater, by its nature, produces odor in the collection system. The installation of an odor control unit will reduce complaints from residents and customers, and will help the longevity of equipment, electrical, and utilities by reducing odors and corrosive gases. Due to the potential for unknown subsurface conditions and equipment conditions, a 10% contingency in funding has been included to allow for the expeditious processing of any change orders to cover any unforeseen construction costs associated with the project. This project is located within the Laguna Loma Park. The contractor will work closely with residents around the park to ensure safety and parking availability at all times. Item 10 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 This construction contract is time sensitive and is a critical component of improving the infrastructure stability of the wastewater collection systems. Delay or deferral of this contract will …
Item 11 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the Concordia Neighborhood Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal Project for Austin Water with Arguijo Corporation, in the amount of $3,679,254 plus a $367,926 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,047,179. Funding: $4,047,179 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Managing Department Austin Capital Delivery Services. Amount and Source of Funding Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Procurement Language: Ausin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids IFB 6100 CLMC1134 for these services. The solicitation was issued on August 4, 2025, and closed on September 11, 2025. Of the six offers received, the bid submitted by the recommended contractor was the lowest responsive bid received. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=143037 . MBE/WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 7.41% MBE and 1.60% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: Concordia Neighborhood Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal Project is part of the Renewing Austin Program. This ongoing program replaces and upgrades deteriorated and aging water lines with a documented history of multiple breaks. In addition, the program coordinates and includes wastewater lines in need of replacement within the project area. The work consists of water system upgrades of approximately 4,200 linear feet of polyvinyl chloride pipe along with service connections and equipment. Wastewater system upgrades of approximately 2,500 linear feet of polyvinyl chloride pipe, manholes, service connections, and fittings. This item includes two allowances. An allowance of $20,000 will be used to address any contaminated soil or groundwater encountered during construction and an allowance of $20,000 will be used to address any non- compliant private wastewater laterals encountered during construction. An allowance is an amount that is specified and included in the construction contract or specifications for certain items of work when details are not determined at the time of bidding. Item 11 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 12, 2025 Council: December 11, …
