Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force

June 25, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Thumbnail of the first page of the PDF — Page 1 of None page

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force June 25, 2014 – 10:00 a.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – June 25, 2014, 10:00 a.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the June 19, 2014 Task Force meeting D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Consider and approve recommendations and wording for report to City Council on water resources 2. Approve Final Report and Recommendations to City Council Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting June 25, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force and Working Group Goals including discussion of prioritizing short term supply side and demand side drought response options and recommendations F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS 1. As needed, staff briefing on any Task Force requests related to prioritizing options or Task Force development of recommendations G. REPORTS BY TASK FORCE 1. Working Group Updates 1) Evaluate City’s Water Needs 2) Examine Future Water Sources 3) Evaluate Potential Water Management Scenarios H. NON VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS None I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS J. ADJOURN

June 25, 2014

Final Recommendation Report — original pdf

MEMORANDUMTo:MayorandCouncilFrom:GregMeszaros,Director,AustinWaterDate:July10,2014Subject:AustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForceRecommendations,RevisedReportAttachedisarevisedreportfromtheAustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForce.ThereportisthesameastheonethatwasdistributedtoyouearlierthisweekexceptfortheadditionofthepageinbetweenthecoverpageandtableofcontentsthatincludesthelistoftheTaskForcemembers.cc:MarcA.Ott,CityManagerRobertGoode,P.E.,AssistantCityManagerAustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForce AustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForceReporttoCityCouncilJuly2014(CouncilResolutionNo.20140410-033) AUSTINWATERRESOURCEPLANNINGTASKFORCEMemberAppointedlElectedByStefanSchusterMayorLeffingwellPaulRobbinsMayorProTernColeLaurenRossCouncilMemberMorrisonSharleneLeurig—ChairCouncilMemberRileyJenniferWalkerCouncilMemberTovoTomMason—ViceChairCouncilMemberSpelmanMarisaPeralesCouncilMemberMartinezBrianSmithEnvironmentalBoardLukeMetzgerResourceManagementCommissionKrisBaileyJointCommitteeonAWUFinancialPlanChristianneCastleberryWaterandWastewaterCommission TABLEOFCONTENTSPageEXECUTIVESUMMARY2CHAPTERI—INTRODUCTION3CHAPTERII—GUIDINGPRINCIPLESFORAUSTIN’SWATERCHOICES4CHAPTERIII—AUSTIN’SWATERNEEDS5CHAPTERIV—KEYRECOMMENDATIONS7SECTION1.0IntegratedWaterResourcePlanandIndependentConservationAssessment8Subsection1.1BasicGoals8Subsection1.2AdditionalFocus10SECTION2.0—WaterConservationandSupplyProjectEvaluationMatrix11SECTION3.0—WaterConservationandSupplyRecommendations13Subsection3.1Short-TermDemand-SideManagementStrategies13Subsection3.1.1ProactiveImplementationonDroughtResponseStages13Subsection3.1.2PriorityWaterConservationMeasures13Subsection3.1.3Mid-TermDemand-SideManagementStrategies14Subsection3.2Short-andMid-TermWaterSupplyStrategies15Subsection3.2.1Short-TermStrategies15Subsection3.2.2Mid-TermStrategies15SECTION4.0Funding16CHAPTERV—RECOMMENDEDSTRATEGIESFORSTUDY16CHAPTERVI—CODESANDORDINANCES17CHAPTERVII—DEVELOPINGACULTUREOFWATERSTEWARDSHIPINNOVATION18SECTION1.0—BecomingtheMostWater-EfficientCommunityinTexas18SECTION2.0—LeadingaNewEraofRegionalCooperation19SECTION3.0—TappingintotheCityscapeasaWaterSupplySource20APPENDIXAppendixA—WaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteria-DemandAppendixB—WaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteria-SupplyAppendixC—WaterSupplyProjectDescriptionsAppendixD—Definitions—WaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteriaAppendixE—RecommendedScoringSystem-COADroughtResponseDecisionMatrixAppendixF—ModelingDroughtResponseStrategiesRichardHoffpauir,Ph.D.,P.E.—June25,2014AppendixG—LakeAustinDrawdownSummaryAppendixH—WaterUseModelingRequestwithRevisedPopulationEstimatesAppendixI—AustinWaterNeedsEstimatesLaurenRoss,Ph.D.,P.E. EXECUTIVESUMMARYThisreportbytheAustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForcerecommendsimmediateactionsthatshouldbetakenbytheCityofAustintomitigatetheimpactofourongoingdroughtandtocatalyzeinvestmentinawater-resilientandwater-efficienteconomy.TheTaskForcerecommendsthattheCityofAustinfirstinvestinprotectingandoptimizingwaterfromtheColoradoRiverunderitsexistingcontractwiththeLowerColoradoRiverAuthority.SpecificrecommendationsonpriorityeffortstoincreasewaterconservationandtooptimizeourexistingcontractwaterareofferedinSection3.0.TheTaskForcerecommendsthattheCityCouncilandAustinWaterUtilityfocusonlocalopportunitiestoenhanceAustin’swatersupplies.Theseincludeoptionsthatpreviouslyhavenotbeenconsideredatscale,suchascommercial/industrialwaterreuseandrainwatercaptureandinfiltration.Implementationofthesewatermanagementstrategiesmaybeachievedthroughrevisionstoexistingcodesandordinances,suchastheWatershedProtectionOrdinance.Italsomeansrenewingourcommitmenttowaterreuseforourdistributedwatersystem.Asafast-growingcitydependentonwatersuppliesthataresusceptibletodrought,itisprudentforAustinWatertoconsideroptionsforimprovingthereliabilityofourwatersupplies.TheevaluationofoptionsshouldbeundertakenaspartofanIntegratedWaterResourcePlanthatconsiderstherateimpactsofAustinWatercustomersandthepoliticalriskofprojectsthatcouldaffectAustin’srelationshipwithitsneighbors.ProjectsbeyondourexistingLCRAcontractshouldbeconsideredaspartofatransparentandcompetitiveprocesswithpublicinput.InvestmentsintheIntegratedWaterResourcePlanandrecommendationsinSubsections3.1and3.2shouldbeaccountedforintheFY15budget.Thesestepscannotbedelayed.Page2of2l I.INTRODUCTIONAustin’songoingdroughtisareminderofthesusceptibilityofoursolewatersource,theColoradoRiver’sHighlandLakes,toprolongeddrought.Weknowourregionislikelytoenduremoredroughtsinthefuture,andtobecomedrierovertime,bringinglessinflowtotheHighlandLakesfromlocalprecipitationandtributaryriversfromWestTexas.Wealsoknowthathighertemperaturesarelikelytocausegreaterevaporationfromourlakes,makingthemalessdependabletoolforwaterstorage.Austinisgrowingrapidly,andourregionisexpectedtodoubleinpopulationinthenext25years.Recognizingtheabove,theHighlandLakeswillremaintheCityofAustin’sprimarywatersupply.TheCitymustcontinuetoprotectandstewardbothourseniorwaterrightsintheColoradoandourcontractedfirmyieldwiththeLowerColoradoRiverAuthority.AnimportantelementofmaintainingareliableHighlandLakeswatersupplyisreducingdemandsduringalllakestages,notjustduringdrought.Weneedtoseizeuponthisopportunitytohastentheongoingculturalshiftinhowweuseandprovidewater.ThisisnecessarysothatAustincanretainitseconomiccompetitivenessandqualityoflifeandachieveitswateraffordabilityandsustainabilitygoals.Recentwaterusedatashowsthatbothresidentsandbusinessesarewillingandabletoembraceamorewater-efficientwayoflife.ThisreportistheTaskForce’srecommendationonimmediateactionsthatshouldbetakenbyAustinWaterUtilityandtheCityCounciltomitigatethewatersupplyimpactfromtheongoingdroughtandtocatalyzeinvestmentinawater-resilientandwater-efficienteconomy.TheTaskForceemphasizesthattheKeyRecommendationsofferedinChapterIVofthisreportshouldbeincorporatedintotheFY15budget.Therecommendednear-termstrategiesinthisreportareaneffectiveandappropriateresponsetotheexistingdroughtconditions.Thepresentdroughtishydrologicallyunprecedented,however,andweunderstandthattheCitymustplanforandanticipateafutureinwhichdroughtpersistsandevenintensifies.Shouldthisoccur,theCityofAustinmayneedtoinvestinadditionalwatersuppliesorstoragebeyondtherangeofeitherthecurrentorrecommendedstrategiesfordemandreductionandsupplyaugmentation.DuringtimesofcrisisAustinmaybeforcedtoexecutewaterdemandreductionandalternativesupplyoptionsthatmightnototherwisebeconsistentwithcommunityvalues.Forthesereasons,wehaveofferedadecisionmatrixforusebyAustin’sleadershiptoevaluatenewsupplyandstorageoptions.WealsooffertoCityCouncilourviewonprinciplesthatshouldguideourcommunity’sdecisionsinhowwemanageandsecurewaterforthefuture.Page3of21 II.GuidingPrinciplesforAustin’sWaterChoicesBasedonpublictestimonypresentedatourmeetingsandourowncollectivedecadesofexperienceinwaterresourcesmanagementandplanning,theAustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForcerecommendsthefollowingprinciplestoguideourcommunity’swatermanagementdecisions:•WatertomeetbasichumanneedsmustbeaffordableforeveryAustinresident.•Watertomeettheneedsofhomes,businesses,andindustrymustbereliablysourced.•Watersuppliesshouldbelocallysourced,andwateruseshouldreflectthelocallyavailablesupply.LocalizedwatersupplyprojectstosupplementAustin’sHighlandLakes,suchasAquiferStorageandRecoveryandbrackishwaterdesalination,shouldbeevaluatedandprioritized,beforewaterfromotherareasisimported.•Savingwater,orreducingdemand,iswidelyrecognizedasthemostreliable,affordable,andsustainablewaytomeetwaterdemands.Buildingawater-efficienteconomyshouldtakepriorityoverdevelopingsuppliesthatcanbeexpensive,capitalandenergy-intensive,andenvironmentallyharmful.Conservationandre-useshouldbeahigherprioritytomeetAustin’swaterdemandsthaninvestinginnewwatersuppliesfromareasoutsideofAustin.•WatermanagementstrategiesshouldfurtherAustin’sgoalofdevelopinganewcultureofwaterstewardship,reducingpercapitapotablewateruse,andencouragingreuseandefficiency.•Indevelopingthisnewcultureofwaterstewardship,broadparticipationandsocialequityareessential.•Watermanagementstrategiesmustbeenvironmentallysustainableandcost-effective.•Severalwaterdemandmanagementstrategiesmustbeimplementedtoachievethemosteffectiveresults,includingaggressivewaterconservationandproactiveimplementationofAustin’sDroughtContingencyPlanbeforeemergencyconditionsdevelop.•TheCitymustinvestindemand-managementstrategies,inadditiontosupplyaugmentationstrategies,toeffectivelyachieveasignificantreductioninwaterdemand.Page4of21 •Cityeffortstodiversifywatersupplysourcesshouldnotcomeattheexpenseofaffordability,sustainability,andCityenvironmentalprotectiongoals.•WatermanagementstrategiesmustbeconsistentwiththeImagineAustinComprehensivePlan,particularlythegoalofsustainablymanagingourwaterresources,directingdevelopmentawayfromtheBartonSpringsEdwardsAquiferwatershed,andbuildinganeconomythatiswaterandenergyefficientandreducesgreenhousegasemissions.•TheCitymustactincoordinationwithandtakeintoaccounttheconcernsofneighboringcommunitieswhenconsideringwatermanagementstrategiesthatmayimpacttheirwaterresources.•TheCitymustactinconcertwithLCRAandotherstakeholderstoassureanLCRAwatermanagementplanthataccuratelyreflectsbestestimatesoffuturehydrologyinwatershedscontributingtoColoradoRiverflowsandthefirmyieldoftheHighlandLakeswatersupply.•Austinmustconsiderthelinkedimplicationsofincreasedwaterdemandsandenergy-intensivesupplyoptionsalongwithelectricalproductionmanagement,particularlyduringdroughtconditions.•Ourwatersupplyoptionsmustconsiderimpactstothenaturalenvironment,Austin’surbanforestcanopy,spring,creek,andriverflows,andthemyriadhumanandnonhumanlivesthatdependuponthem.•Austinvaluesitsresidentialandurbangardensandfarms,andthefoodsecurityandindependencethattheyrepresent.Forthewidestpossiblerangeofdroughtconditions,watertoirrigatelocally-producedfoodshouldcontinuetobemadeavailable.•AustinWaterUtility’shistoricalbusinessandfinancingmodelbasedonrevenuefromwatercommoditysalesbiasesdecisionsinfavorofsupplyoptionstothedetrimentofdemandmanagement.Thevision,inspiration,andmanagementofAustin’swaterdemandstrategymustcomefromoutsidethesehistoricalcommodity-basedbusinessandfinancialframes.III.Austin’sWaterNeedsAustinWaterUtilitydemandforecastinghashistoricallybeenlinkedtotheutilitybusinessmodel.Utilityforecastshavefocusedonindoorandoutdoorwaterusebycustomerclassasabasisforpredictingrevenueandforsizinginfrastructuretoaccommodatedemandpeaks.Page5of21 Theutility’swaterconservationgoalshavebeenlumpedintoasinglevalueof140gallonsperpersonperday.Thisoneconservationgoalencompasseswaterdemandconsequencesfromdecisionsaswide-rangingascoolingtowerinfrastructure,theefficienciesofcomputerchipmanufacturing,andwhetherthereismulchonourgardens,backyardsarecontouredtocatchrainrunoff,andwefixleakytoiletflappervalves.Itfailstodistinguishbetweenaspirationalgoalsandactualwaterneeds.AsAustinmanagesboththecurrentdroughtandanuncertainwaterfuture,weneedamorespecificanduse-disaggregatedmodelfordefiningandpredictingcommunitywaterneeds.Likeaspeedometerinacar,weneedawaterdashboardthatprovidesinformationspecifictoourvariedwaterusedecisions—onethatgivesusinformationfromwhichstrategicchoicescanbemadetotargetdemandmanagement,measurestheconsequencesofdemandmanagementandsupplydecisions,andevaluatesourperformanceagainstcommunitysustainabilitystandards.TheWaterResourcePlanningTaskForce,comprisedofcommunityvolunteers,hadneitherthetimenorresourcestodevelopthewaterdemandmodelthatwebelieveAustindeserves.Wedid,however,segmentwaterusedataprovidedbyAustinWaterUtilityandwherepossiblecomparethesegmenteddatatoefficiencystandards.Ourevaluationofwaterneedsdemonstratesanuntappedpotentialtosetspecificandmeaningfulcommunitygoalsforwaterdemandmanagement.DataprovidedbyAustinWaterUtilityforouranalysisispresentedinAppendixH.Adescriptionofourevaluation,itsresults,anditslimitationsispresentedinAppendixI.Afewofthekeyconclusionsofouranalysisarethese:•Residentialindoorwateruseisthesinglehighestwaterusecategory.AverageSingle-FamilyandMultifamilyResidentialcustomeruseinFiscalYear2013rangedfrom58to54gallonsperpersonperday.Thisamountishighcomparedto45.2gallonsperpersonperdayforefficienthomes.1Thepotentialwatersavings,ifeverycustomerhouseholdinAustinachievedthiswaterefficiencystandard,wouldbe11,300acre-feetperyear.•SinglefamilyresidentialoutdoorwaterusewasthesecondhighestwaterusecategoryinFiscalYear2011,andthefourthhighestinFiscalYear2013.Year2013wasrainierthan2011.Theaverageamountofoutdoorwaterforsingle-familyresidentialusewas50gallonsperpersonperdayforFiscalYear2011and25gallonsperpersonperdayinFiscalYear2013.Multi-familyoutdoorwaterusewas47and28gallonsperpersonperdayforthesameperiods.Singlefamilyandmulti-familyresidentialoutdoorwateruseappearstoberesponsivetorainfallamounts.•TherewasnodataavailabletothetaskforcefromwhichtocalculateestimatedneedsforindoorcommercialuseorusebyAustinWaterUtility’ssixlargecustomers.2The1AmericanWaterWorksAssociation,http://www.drinktap.org/home/water-information/conservation/water-usestatistics.aspx,accessedJune14,2014.2Samsung,Freescale,UniversityofTexas,Spansion,Hospira,andNovati.Page6of21 proposedIntegratedWaterPlanwouldfillthisgapinAustin’sabilitytoestablishawaterneedbudget.•NotalloftheCityofAustinwaterdemandsarereflectedinAustinWaterUtilitydata.AdditionalsignificantwaterdemandsnotreflectedintheutilitydataincludewaterforelectricalgenerationbyAustinEnergyandparklandirrigationusingdirectlakewithdrawals.AcompletewaterdemandpictureandfuturewaterroadmapfortheCitymustincludeallwateruses.NoonepersonorentitywillorcancontroleveryAustinwaterdemanddecision.AsecureandsustainablewaterfutureforAustindependsonbuildingacommunityvisionofwhatispossibleintherealmofdemandreductionsandwhatitwouldtaketoachievethat.Adisaggregatedwaterdemandmodelprovidesimportantinformationonwherethebiggestpotentialsforwaterconservationlie,allowsustosetmoremeaningfuldemandmanagementgoals,andprovidesabetterbenchmarkagainstwhichtocompareourwateruse.WerecommendthattheAustinWaterUtilitycreateacomprehensiveprojectedwaterdemandmodelbasedondisaggregatedusesandregularlyupdatedtoreflectadvancesinwaterefficiencyandconservationtechnologyandtocaptureotherfactorsthatweknowaffectwaterusage,includinglanduse(i.e.,density),waterpricing,andclimatetrends.IV.KeyRecommendationsTheTaskForcestronglyrecommendsthatAustinexploreadifferentapproachbeyondthecurrentutilitymodel.•WeencouragetheCityCouncil,AWU,andthecommunitytoembracenewdecentralized3modelsinadditiontotraditionalcentralizedmodels.•WeencouragetheCityCouncil,AWU,andbusinessandresidentstoexploreoptionsthatmaynothavebeenattractive25yearsagobasedoncost,wateravailability,andotherissues.•Theutilityneedstolookinwardandcriticallyassessinternalprocessesanditsabilitytorespondtochangingwatersupplyconditionsandtoimplementwatersupplystrategies.•Implementarisk-basedrenewalplanningapproachtofutureutilityneeds.Highriskassetsshouldbeaddressedfirst.•AustinWaterUtilityneedstoplaceapriorityondevelopingpartnershipswiththecommunity,withothercitydepartments,andwithotherentitiesinourregionthatshareourgoals.Refertopage10ofthisReportforadescriptionof“decentralization.”Page7of21 •DiversifyingsourcesandinvestingindeepwaterconservationwillrequirethatAustinWaterUtilitycontinuetoexamineitsratestructureandbalancerevenuereliabilitywithvolumetricratesthatstronglydiscouragewaterwaste.1.0IntegratedWaterResourcePlanandIndependentConservationAssessmentTheCityofAustinandAustinWaterUtilitymustdeveloparealisticIntegratedWaterResourcePlansimilartoLCRAWaterManagementPlanandAustinEnergyIntegratedResourcePlan.ThisplanshouldbebudgetedfortheFY15cycle.1.1BasicGoals•AnIntegratedWaterResourcePlanwillassistinidentifyingandfacilitatingopportunitiesforregionalpartnerships,technologycostsharing,balancedregionalwaterreliability,andimproveddroughtpreparedness.•Austinisnowthe11thlargestcityintheUnitedStates.ForacityofthissizenottohaveanIntegratedWaterResourcePlanisanunacceptablesourceofrisktoourlong-termeconomicsecurityandourqualityoflife.•Indevelopingthisplan,Austinshouldevaluatetheimpactofvariouswatersupplyandclimatescenariostoensuresustainabilityofwatersupplyandtoassesstherangeofoutcomesthatweshouldbepreparedtoaddress.•Multi-departmentalandcommunityinputindevelopinganIntegratedWaterResourcePlanisessential.oAustinEnergyshouldparticipateindevelopingandimplementingtheplan,openingupmuch-neededcollaborationontheenergydemandsofourwatersystemandthewaterdemandsofourelectricgrid.oWatershedProtectionshouldbeinvolvedindevelopingandimplementingtheplan.Theirexpertiseintheimportanceofmaintainingminimumflows,achievingthehighestqualityofnaturalwatersintheurbanenvironment,protectingnaturalhabitats,andthepotentialforrainwaterandstormrunofftosupplementpotablewatersuppliesarekeytoasecurewaterfuture.oTheOfficeofSustainabilityshouldalsobeinvolvedinthisplanandhelptochampioninterdepartmentalsolutions.•Demand-sideoptions(i.e.,waterconservation)mustbeincludedintheIntegratedWaterResourcePlanandbeplacedonparwithsupplyaugmentationoptions.Assuch:oThePlanshouldincludeademandforecastthatgoesbeyondextrapolatinghistoricwateruseorasimpleassumptionof140gpcdtoactuallyreflectthepossibleeffectsofpopulationgrowth,climatechange,landusechangesandwaterpricingondemandforecasts.ThisiscriticaltoensurethatAustinWaterPage8of21 doesnotoverbuildassetstosatisfywaterdemandthatisnotsupportedwithevidence.ThisTaskForcerecommendsusingthe“UrbanWaterDemandinCaliforniato2100:IncorporatingClimateChange”opensourcetoolmadebythePacificInstituteasamodelfordemandforecasting.oTheIntegratedWaterResourcePlanshouldincludeanAustinwaterneedsbudgetdisaggregatedbycustomerclassesandindoorandoutdooruse.Adisaggregatedwaterdemandmodelprovidesimportantinformationonwherethebiggestpotentialsforwaterconservationlie,allowstheCityCouncil,AWU,andthecommunitytosetmoremeaningfuldemandmanagementgoals,andprovidesabetterbenchmarkagainstwhichtocompareourwateruse.oTheIntegratedWaterResourcePlanshouldincludeanindependentanalysisofthepotentialwatersupplybenefitsofimplementedandnon-implementedconservationprograms.ThisConservationPotentialAssessmentshouldincludeacost-benefitanalysisofindividualconservationprogramsandwouldideallypresentacostcurveofwaterconservationprogramoptionstoguidedecision-makingonprograminvestment.TheConservationPotentialAssessmentshouldassesswhereuntappedopportunitiestoachievewatersavingsstillexisttohelpprioritizeconservationspendingbyAustinWaterUtility.TheConservationPotentialAssessmentcreatedforCascadeWaterAlliancemaybeamodelforthisanalysis.•Austin’swaterratesarelikelytobeaffectedbythestepswetaketoensurewaterreliability,whethertheseactionsaretoconserveourwater(reducingvolumetricsales)ortoincreasesupply(especiallynewcapitalassets).TheIntegratedWaterResourcePlanshouldincludeacomparisonoftherateimpactsofselectedstrategies.SanAntonioWaterSystem’sIntegratedWaterResourcesPlanshouldserveasamodelforthisanalysis.•Theplanshouldconsiderallwaterthatthecityisusingandnotjustwaterthatis“run”throughtheutility.•Meaningfulpublicparticipationinwatersupplystrategiesisparamounttocreatinganewwaterparadigmtomeetfuturewatersupplychallenges.ThiswillenableAustinresidentsandAWUcustomerstobecomeeducatedandengagedregardingourwatersupplychallengesandtobepartnersinsolutions.•WorkonthisPlanshouldbeginimmediately,guidedbythisreporttoAustinCityCouncil,andshouldbebudgetedintheFY15cycle.Availableathttp://pacinst.org/publication/urban-water-demand-to-2100/.Page9of21 1.2AdditionalFocus•Decentralization:Thedecentralizedconceptistheideathatstormwaterandwastewateraremosteffectivelyandefficientlymanagedbytreatingit—andreusingit—asclosetowhereitisgeneratedaspractical.Infrastructurefailureandvulnerabilitiesareminimizedwhilewaterresourceutilizationismaximizedonalocalandhighlyintegratedlevel.Theoverallsystembecomesmorereliableandadaptabletoavarietyoffuturedevelopmentscenarios.DecentralizedstormwaterorwastewatertreatmentinfrastructurecanbepartofAustinWaterUtility’scapitalportfolio.ItcanalsobedevelopedeconomicallybyinstitutionsandprivatedevelopersatacompetitivecostofservicetowhatAWUoffers,amodelthatfreesupAustinWater’scapitaltomeetotherneeds•Watersharingwithagriculture:Austin’swholesalewaterprovider,theLowerColoradoRiverAuthority,provideswatertomanydifferentsectors,includingmunicipaluserslikeAustinandagriculturalwaterusers.Intheearlyyearsoftheongoingdrought,mostofthewaterdeliveredfromtheHighlandLakeswasdeliveredforagriculturalwateruse.AlthoughthepresentconditionoftheHighlandLakeshasresultedininterruptionofwaterdeliveriesformanyagriculturaluserscontractedwithLCRA,theremaybeopportunitiestogainmunicipalsupplythroughvoluntarycooperationwithagriculturalwateruserswithfirmcontracts.ThemostseniorrightontheColoradoRiverisheldbytheGarwoodIrrigationDistrict,whichusesthemajorityofitsrightsforagriculturalpurposes.TheIntegratedWaterResourcePlanshouldexaminethepotentialcostandwatersupplybenefitofvoluntarywatersharingwithGarwoodandotheragriculturaluserswithfirmrights.ThereisprecedentforsucharrangementsinSouthernCalifornia,whereSanDiegoCountyWaterAuthorityanditswholesaleprovider,MetropolitanWaterDistrictofSouthernCalifornia,gainedsubstantiallong-termwaterdeliveriesbyfinancingconservationeffortsbyagriculturaluserswithseniorwaterrightstotheColoradoRiver.•Codesandordinances:Codeandregulatoryimpedimentsliketheprohibitiononrainwateruseforpotablesupplywithin100feetofcentralizedwaterserviceshouldbecarefullyexaminedinlightofhistoricalandscientifically-basedriskdata.Graywaterandrainwateruseshouldbeallowed,supported,andencouragedinallsituationsforwhichanyhealthrisksarenomorethanotherwidely-allowedactivities.Regulatorydecisionsshouldbeindependentofanyconcernregardingtheconsequencesofmorewidely-availablewateralternativesontheUtility’sincome.•Diversificationofsupplysources:Reliabilityofwatersupplycanbeimprovedbydiversifyingsupplysources,afterwefirstassurethatexistingsuppliesareprotectedandusedefficiently.Newsuppliesthatarelocaland,whereappropriate,decentralized,arepreferredoverremotesourcesthatrequireenergyandcost-intensivepumpingandlargeupfrontcapitalcosts.Page10of21 •Developandfosterregionalcooperationtobuildareliableandwater-efficienteconomyforourregion,inpartnershipwithentitieswhoshareourgoalsofsustainability.•Focusonmultiplecyclereuseofexistingwatersupplies.Thelowestcostwateristhatwhichisalreadyunderourcontrol.•Waterdemandshouldbeaddressedbyrealisticallyassessingwaterneedsversuswants.•AustinWaterUtilityshouldmitigatetheratepayerimpactsofinvestinginnewsupplyoptionsbyadoptingacapitalplanningapproachthatattemptstodiscoverrevenue-positiveorrevenue-neutralopportunitiesthroughoutitsassetportfolio.Designingwastewatertreatmentfacilitiestocapture(andmonetize,wherepossible)thewastewaterenergyandnutrientloadisonewayofdiscoveringthisratepayerbenefit.Progressiveutilitiesaroundthecountry,includingSanAntonioWaterSystem,AlexandriaRenewEnterprisesandEastBayMunicipalUtilityDistrictalreadygenerateenergyorsellnaturalgasfromtheirwastewaterfacilities.•AustinWaterUtilitycanalsomitigateratepayerimpactsbyencouragingtheuseofprivatecapitaltofinancedecentralizedinfrastructurethroughoutthecity.GivenAustin’sextraordinarygrowthandthescaleofnewdevelopmentandredevelopmentcitywide,thereisvastuntappedpotentialtoprovidewatersolutionsthatdonotimplicatethebalancesheetofAustinWater,whichisalreadychallengedbynecessaryeffortsatwaterconservationandessentialcapitalinvestments.InNewYorkCityandSanFrancisco,privatelanddevelopershavedemonstratedtheeconomicopportunityofdevelopingparcel-scalestormwaterandwastewaterreuseprojects.Theseprojectsprovidewastewatertreatmentandnon-potablewateratacostof$11—$15per1,000gallons,makingitcompetitivewithAustin’scombinedwaterandwastewaterrates.Betterstill,theseprojectscanbedesignedtobenetenergyneutral,usingtheheatfromonsitewastewatertreatmenttoprovidehotandchilledwaterloopsthatcanoffsettheenergyneedsofthebuilding.Theeconomiccompetitivenessoftheseprojectsscaleswithsize,butwiththesmallesteconomicprojectpeggedat300,000sq-ft,therearemanyopportunitieswithinourgrowingcity.OneexampleofsuchaprojectistheNewSchoolinNewYorkCity.52.0WaterConservationandSupplyProjectEvaluationMatrixTheTaskForcedevelopedamatrixthatwerecommendbeusedtoevaluatedifferentpotentialwatersupplyprojects.ThismatrixincludesevaluationcriteriathatwebelievereflectsAustin’svaluesandrangesfromcosttosocialimpacts.Weencouragethecitycounciltodirecttheutilitytousethisorasubstantiallysimilarapproachtoevaluatepossiblewatersupplyprojects.Wehaveprovideddefinitionsofthewatersupplyprojectevaluationcriteriaandscoringcriteriainordertobeclearabouttheaspectsthatwefeelareimportanttoconsiderwhenevaluatingwatersupply.CoststatisticsfromEdClerico,NaturalSystemsUtilities,whichdesignedtheNewSchoolwastewaterproject.Page11of21 Despitetheimportancethiscommunityplacesonsustainabilityandwaterefficiency,dataprovidedbytheAustinWaterUtilityonthedemandmanagementandsupplywateryieldandcostsfavorsupplysideoptionsoverdemandmanagement.Potentialdemandmanagementyieldshavebeenunderestimated.Whilethepotentialdemandmanagementoptionyieldshavebeenunderestimated,costsfordemandsidemanagementoptionsweresystematicallyoverestimated.Althoughsupplyoptionswerecapitalizedover30years,demandmanagementcostswereinitiallybasedonallcostsoccurringduringthefirstimplementationyear.Theutilitymadesomeadjustments,buttherearestillaccountingdiscrepanciesinthecostcalculationsthatareunfavorabletodemand-sideoptions.Whileitisimportanttoevaluatewatersupplyprojects,theTaskForcedidnotfeelthatitwasappropriatetoscorethewatersupplyprojectsthatwerepresentedtousforseveralreasons.Wedidnothavesufficienttimetogointothelevelofdetailonstrategyyieldandcostthatisnecessarytoaccuratelypopulatethismatrix.ThenumbersthatwereprovidedtotheTaskForcewerefromdifferentsourcesandinsomecasesvarieddramatically.Differentmethodologieswereusedtoarriveatcostandsavingsconclusionsfordifferentalternatives.Thismadescoringprojectsinameaningfulwaydifficultinthistimeframe.Byscoringthestrategies,theTaskForcewouldhavegiventheillusionofprecisionwhenwedon’thaveenoughinformationtoprovideprecisescoringoneachofthesestrategies.Werecommendthatwhenpopulatingthematrices,AWUandtheCityshouldtakecaretodevelopcostsforbothsupplyanddemandmanagementprojectsusingconsistentmethodologytoallowforappropriatecomparison.Thefulllifecyclecostsofeachprojectmustbeconsideredoverthelifetimeofthatproject’sestimatedlife,includingconstruction/procurementcosts,landacquisitioncosts,costsofrequiredtreatment,pumpingandtransmission.Supplyprojectsshouldincludetheestimatedcostburdenonwastewaterthatwouldbeproducedbytheadditionalwaterthroughput.Onlywhenallcostsareaccountedforcansupplyprojectsbeaccuratelycomparedagainstdemandmanagementprograms.Inaddition,AustinWatershouldlooktootherwaterutilitiesthathavecapitalizedwaterconservationprograms,whichhasthebenefitofsmoothingthecostimpactonratepayers.Associatedcapitalexpendituresforallprojects,regardlessofdemandorsupplymanagement,shouldbeamortizedoverasetperiodandaddedtotherelatedannualoperationsandmaintenance(O&M)costforatotalannualcostoftheproject.AlthoughitisnotcurrentlyCityfinancialpolicytobondfinanceassociatedcapitalcomponentsofdemandmanagementstrategies,thisapproachprovidesforrelativecomparisonofstrategieswithsupply-sideoptionsandrecognizesthestatutoryandconstitutionalauthorityintheStateofTexastobondfinancedemandmanagementexpenditures.Progressivecities,suchasLasVegas,Seattle,andNewYorkCity,haveusedtheirenterpriserevenuebondstofinancewaterconservationeffortsontheprivatepropertyoftheircustomersonthebasisthattheeffortsservethepublicinterest,havequantifiablewatersavingsthatextendforatleastaslongasthelifetimeofthedebtusedtofinancethem,andaresecuredthroughsomemeans,suchasaconservationeasementorcontractwiththepropertyowner.Page12of2l 3.0WaterConservationandSupplyRecommendationsTheTaskForcebelievesthatAustinfacesimmediateandlong-termwatersupplychallenges.WerecommendthatAustintakeimmediateactiontouseourcurrentsuppliesmoreefficientlywhilemovingtodevelopadditionalsupplies.Ourrecommendationsareasfollows:3.1Short-TermDemand-SideManagementStrategiesThedroughtresponseandwaterconservationdiscussedbelowshouldbeimplementedimmediately.Conservationshould,however,notbelimitedtojusttheseprograms.3.1.1ProactiveImplementationonDroughtResponseStagesWesupportthedevelopmentandimplementationofanInterimStage3droughtrestrictionassoonasfeasiblypossibletopreservewatersupplies.WerecommendtheimplementationofStage3Interimatnolaterthan500,000acre-feet(combinedstorageforHighlandLakes)andStage4atnolaterthan400,000acre-feet(combinedstorageforHighlandLakes).PriortoimplementingStage4,however,theUtilityshouldremoveallrestrictionsforgraywatersystemsthatcomplywithgraywaterrequirementsofthe2012UniformPlumbingCode.Thisgraywateroutdoorwateringoptionwouldhelptopreservelandscapesandtheurbantreecanopy.(SeeCodesandOrdinancesChapterVI.)3.1.2PriorityWaterConservationMeasuresCosteffectivestrategiesthatreducewateruseshouldbeapriority.WerecommendthattheCityplaceastrongfocusonimplementingdemandsidestrategies(strategiesthatreduceperpersonwateruse)beforeimplementingsupply-sideoptions.Usingthesuppliesthatwecurrentlyhaveasefficientlyaspossibleisparamounttosustainablymanagingourwatersupplieswhetherindroughtoroutofdrought.AustinWaterUtilityshoulddevelopbenchmarkswiththeaidofindependentconsultantswithahistoricalcommitmenttoconservation,reuse,anddecentralizedoptionstouseinevaluatingpotentialwaterconservationprograms.Benchmarksshouldincludecostandotherfactors.•Costeffectivestrategiesthatreducewateruseshouldbeapriority.•Toiletreplacementprograms—replacingolder,inefficienttoiletsshouldbeapriority.Thereareavarietyofprogramscontemplatedbytheutilitythattargettoiletreplacement.•Capturingcoolingtowercondensateinnewfacilitiesshouldberequired.•Removeallrestrictionsforgraywatersystemsthatcomplywithgraywaterrequirementsofthe2012UniformPlumbingCode.ThisgraywateroutdoorwateringoptionwouldPage13of21 helptopreservelandscapesandtheurbantreecanopy.Othercodesandordinancesthatstandinthewayofincreasingourwaterefficiencyandexpandingtheuseoflocalwaterresourcesshouldalsoberemoved.(SpecificrecommendationsonthisareofferedinChapterVI:CodesandOrdinances.)•Engagehomeandcommercialbuilderstodiscouragein-groundirrigationsystemsandlimitirrigatedareainnewdevelopment(similartoprogramsimplementedbyGeorgetown,SanAntonio,andtheLCRA).Impactfeesshouldbehigherfornewconstructionbuiltwithirrigationsystemsandotherfeaturesthatusemorewaterandlowerforwaterefficientorwaterneutralnewconstruction.•Investincustomerwaterreportsoftwareorservicesthatcanrealizegreatercustomerwatersavingsandmorecost-effectivelymarketAustinWater’sexistingincentiveprograms.OneexampleisWaterSmartSoftware,whichhasachieveda5%reductionintotalwaterdemandin6monthsattheEastBayMunicipalUtilityDistrict.Thesoftwaregivescustomerspersonalizedreportsonrelativewaterusagecomparedtoneighborsandidentifiesopportunitiesforrebatestheyhaven’tused.Athird-partyestimatepeggedthecostofwatersavedthroughWaterSmartatamidpointunitcostof$380/acre-footforemailreportsand$400/acre-footforwrittenreportstocustomers.•Developingtheremainderofthecorereclaimedwatersystemhasthelargestpotentialwatersupplyimpactofanydemand-sidestrategiestobetterutilizeexistingwatersupplies.•LeakandPipeFailureDetectionandRemediation—ContinueandenhanceeffortstoreduceleaksandsystemlossesfromAWUinfrastructure,withgreatertransparencyoncurrenteffortsandacost-benefitanalysisofoptionsforreducingsystemwaterlosses.Specifically,developandsharetherelationshipbetweenlossreductionsandcosts.3.1.3Mid-TermDemand-SideManagementStrategiesWaterconservationprogramsshouldincludeamixofregulatoryandbehavior-basedoptions.•Buildingandplumbingcodemodifications;•BehaviorModification,includingsoftwaretoolstohelpAustinwatercustomersidentifywater-savingopportunities;•Education-ValueofWaterinitiativesandbuildingaconservationcultureshouldbeapriority;•Rebatesandincentives(e.g.,irrigationsystemremoval);•Consumptioncomparisonsonaveragehouseholdbill;•Thedecentralizedconcept(discussedabove);•Reclaimingstormwaterforbeneficialpurposes.Page14of21 3.2Short-andMid-TermWaterSupplyStrategiesInaddition,werecommendthatthecitypursueseveralwatersupplystrategiesassoonaspossible.3.2.1Short-TermStrategies•AutomationofLonghornDamGates;•WalterLongLakeOff-ChannelStorage(existingcapacity);•VaryingLakeAustinOperatingLevel—Implementatbelow600,000acre-feetofcombinedstorage.Thisstrategyshouldbecoupledwitharobusteducationcampaigntoinformthepublicwhythisisbeingdone.UnliketheLCRAproposal,thisproposalwouldbelimitedtonon-peakrecreationalmonths.6ForarepresentationoftheapproximateoutlinesofportionsofLakeAustinwitha3-footdrawdown,seeAppendixG.•CapturinglocalinflowstoLadyBirdLake.AustinWaterUtilityshouldimmediatelycalculatetheestimatedcostandyieldofthisoption.3.2.2Mid-TermStrategiesWeexpectthatthecitywillstudytheseoptionsinmoredetailtofullyevaluatetheirsuitabilityforwatersupplysolutions.•Tieredimplementationapproach.DiversificationofwatersupplysourcesshouldbeachievedthroughintegrationofregionalstrategiesidentifiedinCityandRegionKwaterplanningprocesses.Beginwiththeendinmind.•IfthereispotentialtoreplaceDeckerPowerStationatLakeWalterE.Long,andnewelectricsuppliesdonotneedthiswatersupply,theuseofWalterLongLakeenhancedoffchannelstorageshouldbeimplemented.•IndirectPotableReuse—TheuseofLadyBirdLaketoconveytreatedwastewatereffluentfromtheSouthAustinRegionalplanttoanintakefortheUllrichWaterTreatmentPlantrepresentsasignificantdeparturefromhistoricalpractice.Whilewastewatereffluentisroutinelytreatedtoaqualitythatmeetsdrinkingwaterstandards,thosestandardsarenotprotectiveofmoresensitiveecosystems.WeareawareofnoimplementedwastewatertreatmenttechnologyonamunicipalscalethatreliablyachievesthenutrientconcentrationlevelscurrentlymeasuredinLadyBirdLake.6AustinWatershouldclearlydistinguishbetweenthecurrentAustinWaterproposalandtheLCRAplanconsideredlastyear.Austin’sproposalisnotforayear-rounddrawdown;itmaintainsnormallakelevelsduringthemonthsofJunethroughSeptember,therecreationalhighseason.Page15of21 Nevertheless,underseveredroughtconditions,thiswatersupplyrepresentsasourcethatisinalignmentwithcommunityvaluestoexhausteveryavailablelocalsupplybeforeimportingwaterfromotherregions.Therefore,werecommendthattheCityofAustinconsiderexercisingthisoptionintheeventof400,000acre-feetofcombinedstorageorless.Dischargeintothelakeshouldoccurfortheshortestpossibletime.CouncilshouldrecognizethatpermittingforthewastewaterdischargepermitintoLadyBirdLakecouldtakeaconsiderableamountoftime.4.0Funding•TheCityshouldinvestigatealternativefinancialdeliverymechanismsforfuturewatersupplyprojects.•CityofAustinsignedacontractwiththeLowerColoradoRiverAuthorityin1999toensurethattheagencywouldprovidefuturewatertotheCityduringarepeatofthedroughtofrecord,prepaying$100milliontosecurethesupply.LCRAshouldparticipateinfundinganyfuturewatersupplyprojectsthatarenecessaryforareliablefuturesupplyofcomparablevolumetotheCityofAustin.V.RecommendedStrategiesforStudyDuringthecourseofevaluationsbytheWaterResourcePlanningTaskForce,anumberofstrategieswereconsideredthatcouldpotentiallyserveassourcesofwaterwithinalong-termframeworkorcouldprovideotherbenefitsoverbothshortandlongperiods.SomebenefitsfromemployingthesestrategiesarediversificationofAustin’swatersupply,minimalenvironmentalimpacts,andmakinguseofgroundwaterandaquifersthatarenotbeingusedtotheirfullestsustainablepotential.TheTaskForcedidnotfeeltherewassufficientinformationtoevaluatethecostsandbenefitsoftheseapproachesagainsteachother,butdidfindtheretobesufficientvalueinthediversificationofAustin’swatersupplyandstoragetomeritfurtherconsiderationandstudy.Thesestrategiesandbriefdescriptionsarepresentedbelow(forfulldescriptions,seeAppendixC:WaterSupplyProjectDescriptions):•ReclaimedWaterInfiltration-recharge(injection)oftreatedwastewaterintoalluvialsedimentsalongtheColoradoRiverandpumpingfromalluvialsedimentsdown-gradient.•AquiferStorageandRecovery(ASR)-includingintheTrinityAquifer,brackishEdwardsAquifer,andCarrizo/WilcoxAquifer.ASRbeendonesuccessfullybySanAntonioWaterSystems(SAWS)andthecitiesofElPasoandKerrville.•Desalination-brackishEdwardsandCarrizo/WilcoxAquifers.SAWSiscurrentlyconstructingalarge-scaledesalinationsystem.•PermanentintaketocapturespringinflowsfromLadyBirdLake.AnotherstrategytobeconsideredisflowaugmentationatBartonSprings.Thiswillnotprovideadditionalwater,butwillprovidesignificantenvironmentalbenefits.TheCityofAustinisinapositiontoincreaseflowatBartonSpringsduringdroughtwhenlowflowanddecreasedwaterPage16of21 qualitythreatentheendangeredsalamandersatthesprings.ThiscanbeaccomplishedbyprovidingwatertoEdwardsAquiferusersduringseveredrought,providingwatertorechargetheaquifer,andpurchasinggroundwaterproductionpermitsfromEdwardsAquiferpermittees.TheseactionswouldallowformoredischargeofgroundwaterfromBartonSprings,therebyimprovingtheconditionsforthesalamandersandminimizingharmtothesalamandersduringseveredrought.TheWRPTFrecommendsthattheCitygivethesestrategiesseriousconsiderationand,whereappropriate,conductstudiestoevaluatetheirfeasibility.Inadditiontoathoroughengineeringanalysis,thesestrategiesshouldbeevaluatedaccordingtothePrinciples(ChapterII)andDecisionMatrix(AppendixE)providedinthisreport.VI.CodesandOrdinancesWaterconservationanddiversificationofwatersupplysourcesareprioritiesfortheCityandarefundamentalresponsibilitiessharedbyallofitsdepartments,operations,andfacilities.TheseobjectivesshouldbereflectedintheCity’scodesandordinances,policies,andotherguidancedocuments.RevisionstoexistingordinancesanddevelopmentofnewordinancesmaybewarrantedtoachievetheCity’sgoalofdevelopingacultureofwaterstewardshipandacknowledgingthetruevalueofwater.Wherefeasible,suchmeasuresshouldbeimplementedasexpeditiouslyaspossible.Forexample,theWatershedProtectionDepartmentrecentlyconcluded,andtheCityrecentlyenacted,Phase1ofanewWatershedProtectionOrdinance,includingover220improvementstotheLandDevelopmentCode.ThepurposeoftheWPOis,inpart,toimprovecreekandfloodplainprotectionandimprovetheoverallhealthofthewatershed.TheWatershedProtectionDepartmenthasnowcommencedPhase2oftheWPOrevisions,whichexploreswaterqualitycontrolmeasuresthatincorporatebeneficialuseofstormwater.ThisPhase2processprovidestheWatershedProtectionDepartmentwithanopportunitytoensurethattheprinciplesofwaterconservationandenhancementofwatersupplysourcesareprioritizedintheirdevelopmentofordinancerevisions.Forinstance,WatershedProtectionshouldevaluaterequiringrainwaterharvesting,tiedintoadripirrigationsystem,forcommercialandmulti-familyprojects.Further,stormwatertreatmentsystemsshouldmaximizeinfiltration.Similarly,in2010,theLandscapingOrdinancewasrevised,butfurtherrevisionsarestillwarranted.AstheCitymovestowardbecomingamoreeffectivewatersteward,itshouldevaluateandrevisetheLandscapingOrdinancetoensurethatitisconsistentwiththeCity’swaterconservationobjectivesandmaximizeswaterreuseoptions.Examplesofoptionsthatshouldbeconsideredinclude:•incentivizesustainablelandscapes;•limitsizeofirrigatedturflawnsinnewdevelopments;Page17of21 •totheextentthatcurrentcodesandordinancesrequireturfgrasslandscapesbeforecertificatesofoccupancybeissued,theserequirementsshouldberemoved;•reduceallowableuseofpotablewaterforirrigation;•maximizeuseofreclaimedandharvestedwaterforirrigation;•requirecommercialandindustrialsitestouseairconditioningcondensate;•reviseexistingauxiliarywaterordinancesandrulestoeliminaterequirementstoreplaceexistingpipewithpurplepipe;•requireautomatedirrigationsystemstousedripirrigation(asopposedtosprayirrigation).Innovativewaterconservationmeasures,suchasresidentialgraywaterreuse,havebeenexploredbytheCity,andpilotprojectsareunderway.TheCityshouldcontinueinpursuingthesenewstrategies,andshouldinvestmoreresourcestoexpeditiouslyevaluateandimplementthem.Forinstance,theCityshouldremoveallrestrictionsforgraywatersystemsthatarecompliantwiththe2012UniformPlumbingCode.TheCityshouldalsoevaluate“laundry-to-landscapegraywatersystems”formulti-familydevelopments(newandretrofit).Decentralizedstormwaterandwastewatertreatmentandreusecanlimitcapitalexpendituresbycitydepartmentsforcentralizedwaterinfrastructureandcanprovidecost-effectiveservicesforlargedevelopment.TheCityshouldadaptitspermittingrequirementstoenabledecentralizedstormwaterandwastewatertreatmentfornon-potableusesandwhereeconomicallyjustifiable,providefinancialincentivesforthisalternativewaterservicemodeltobeimplemented.CodeNEXTprovidesanadditionalopportunitytoprioritizewatermanagementstrategies,suchaswaterreuse,intheCity’sLandDevelopmentCode.TheCityshouldusethisopportunitytodevelopaprogramthatencourageszero-net-waterhomesandbusinesses.Inshort,effectivewatermanagementstrategiesmaybeachievedviaregulatorymeasures,withrelativelyminimalcapitalinvestment.Accordingly,watermanagementshouldbeaguidingprincipleimplementedbyallCitydepartments.VII.DevelopingaCultureofWaterStewardshipInnovation1.0BecomingtheMostWater-EfficientCommunityinTexasAustinrightlytoutsitselfasaworld-classcityandcenteroftechnicalinnovationwithawealthofintellectualcapital.Austinshouldcapitalizeontheseassetsanditsreputationbycreatingadramaticandachievablegoalofbecomingthe“mostwater-efficientcityinTexas.”ThiswillPage18of21 requireclear,understandablemetricsthatgobeyondthecurrent140gallonspercapitaperday(gpcd)target,whichistheresultofthelegislativeprocessanddoesnotrepresenttheultimateachievablegoalforpercapitawateruse.Achievingthisgoalwillalsorequireaconsistentpublicmessageabouttheneed,andurgency,forachievingit(forexample,dramaticpopulationgrowthduringatimeofunprecedenteddroughtandclimatechange;recognitionofwaterasafiniteresourcethatiscriticaltothecity’shealth,economy,culture,andidentity).Unfailingpubliceducationeffortsarerequiredtoinstillanewwaterethic,aswellasanunderstandingoftherealcosts—andvalue—ofwaterinthe21stcentury.AustinwillrightlyfaceimmediatecomparisonswithotherTexascities—mostnotablySanAntonioandElPaso—thathavereducedwaterconsumptionanddevelopedanewwaterethicamongtheirresidents.ThosecitieshavealreadysurpassedAustin’sstatedgoalof140gpcd.Austinshouldcopy,andimproveupon,lessonsfrombothofthesesuccessstories,butitshouldalsolookoutsidestateboundariesforexamplesofinnovativemunicipalwaterprogramsthatmightbeappliedincentralTexas(e.g.,LasVegas,Nevada;citiesinsouthernCalifornia;Tucson,Arizona;SantaFe,NewMexico).AspartoftheIntegratedWaterResourcePlanrecommendedbythisTaskForce,theCityofAustinshouldadoptastretchtargetforourwaterdemand.ThisTaskForcerecommendsconsiderationofambitioustargetssuchasCalifornia’s20by2020plan,whichrequirescitiestoreducetotalwateruseby20%of2008levelsby2020.Anotheristhe90gpcdby2020challengefortheColoradoRiverBasinintheIntermountainWest.2.0LeadingaNewEraofRegionalCooperationAlongwithourrecommendationthatAustindiversifyitswaterportfolioratherthanrelysolelyonLCRAsurfacewater,wealsothinktheCityshouldleadaneweraofregionalwatercooperationratherthancedethatrolesolelytoLCRA.UnlikeLCRA,whichischargedwithaprimaryfocusonrawsurfacewatersuppliesfromthelowerColoradoRiverandHighlandLakes,theCityhasastrong“retail”focusonendusersoftreatedwaterinamunicipalsetting.AustinmayalsobebettersituatedthanLCRAtoworkwithitsneighboringwaterusers(cities,counties,waterdistricts)whomaynotbeintheLCRAserviceareaorwhomaybeinterestedinwaterfromsourcesotherthantheHighlandLakes.Ratherthanviewingwaterresourcesasazerosumgame,Austinshouldworkwithitsneighborsasaregionalleader.Aspartofthisleadership,Austinshouldregularlyconvenearegionalwatersummitwhereitshould:•shareitsstaffresources,ideas,planning,andbestpracticeswithregionalneighbors,andinvitethemtodothesame;•invitenearbycities,waterdistricts,counties,andriverauthoritiestoparticipate;and•stateanoverarchinggoalofachievingregionalbenefitsthatwouldotherwisebemoredifficultwithoutcooperation(loweredcosts,moreefficientuseofwaterPage19of21 supplies,increasedpublicinfluence),aswellasreinforcinganewregionalwaterethictoachieveefficientuseoflocalsupplies.AustinshouldcontinuetocooperatewithLCRAinregionalwaterissueswhiletakingfulladvantageoftheLCRA!COAWaterPartnership(formedundertheJune2007settlementagreement)bystaffingitatthehighestlevel.TheCityshouldalsocontinuetotakeanactiveleadershiprole,andencourageregionalneighborstodothesame,inparticipatinginrevisionstotheLCRAWaterManagementPlaninordertoprotecttheCity’slong-termfirmwatersupply.3.0TappingintotheCityscapeasaWaterSupplySourceUntiltheturnofthe20thcentury,Austin’smostreliablesourcesofwaterweretheBartonSprings!EdwardsAquiferandrainwaterstoredthroughleantimes.WiththeadventofcentralizedwatertreatmenttechnologiesandconstructionoftheHighlandLakesinthe1940s,AustingraduallyshifteditsreliancetowaterfromtheColoradoRiver.TodayweareremindedofwhatAustin’searliestsettlersknew:droughtisaregularpartoflifeinCentralTexas,makingtherainwaterthatfallsoutsidetheHighlandLakescatchmentareaallthemorevaluable.CentralizedwaterstorageandtreatmentislikelyalwaysgoingtobepartofAustin’swaterportfolio.However,anewgenerationofwatertreatmenttechnologiesmakespoint-of-usetreatmenteconomicallyfeasible.Point-of-usecaptureandtreatmentmaybecomeeconomicallycompetitivewithcentralizedwaterservicesasthecostsofpoint-of-usetechnologiesimproveandastheeconomicsofcentralizedwaterservicesadjusttohighersourcingandtreatmentcosts.Atthesametime,AustinWatershedProtectionDepartmentisembracingtheconceptofaugmentingitscentralizedstormwaterinfrastructurewithcityscapewaterstorage,recognizingtheeconomiclimitationsofapurelycentralizedapproachtocapturing,retainingandtreatingstormwater.(Itisworthnotingthat“stormwater”isatermthatregardsrainwaterasapollutantvectorandfloodsourceratherthanaresource.)Lookedatinthisway,ourentirecityscapecanbedesignedandretrofittedtofunctionasawatersupplysource.Theeconomiccapacityofthiscityscapeapproachtowatersupplyisnotfullyunderstood.Whatwedoknowiswearebarelyscratchingthesurfaceofwhatourcityscapecanprovidethroughthethoughtfuldesignofstreets,buildingsandparkstocapture,storeandtreatwaterforbeneficialuseintheCityofAustin.ThispresentsbothrisksandopportunitiestoAustinWateranditsratepayers.Ifweignorethepotentialfordistributedinfrastructureacrossourcityscape,weriskoverbuildingourcentralizedsystemandforcingwaterratesupward.Aswaterratesrise,theeconomicsofprovidingpointof-sourcesystemsbecomeevenmoreattractive,drivingevenmorecustomersawayfromthecentralizedservices,causingtheutilitytoadjustratesupwardtomakeupforlostsales,andonandoninaviciouscycleofrateincreases.Wearebetteroffrecognizingthepotentialforthisdisruptivetechnologyanddesigningourpoliciestoencourageitsdevelopmenttobestaugmentourcentralsystem.Page20of21 Wecanencourageinvestmentinthisdistributedwaterinfrastructurethroughcodeandordinancerevisions,creditstotapfeesandratestructurerevisiontoreflecttheeconomicbenefitofthewaterservicesprovidedbyprivatepropertyowners.Forexample,AustinWaterUtilitycouldadjustitsconnectionfeestoreflectthetruecostofserviceforlargecommercialcustomerswhoprovidetheirownwatersupplythroughonsitecaptureand/ortreatment.Page21of21 AppendixAWaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteria-Demand AppendixBWaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteria-Supply AppendixCWaterSupplyProjectDescriptions WaterSupplyProjectsDescriptionsDEMANDMANAGEMENTSTRATEGIESOptimizeExistingSuppliesviaEfficiency&ConservationConservation-(DroughtResponse)Stage3Stage3DroughtResponse,asoutlinedincitycodeandthecity’sdroughtcontingencyplan,allowsupto6hoursofoutdoorwateringperweek,limitsoperationalhoursforsplashpads,andprohibitsfillingofspas/hottubs.Stage3Interim(HandWateringOnly)Asaninterimdroughtresponsemeasure,theutilityhasproposedanoptionthatwouldallowoutdoorirrigationonlywithahand-heldhose.Allautomaticandhose-endsprinklerswouldbeprohibited,but,consistentwithStage3,vehiclewashingatcertifiedfacilitieswouldcontinuetobeallowed,aswouldmaintenanceofnurserystockandoperation/installationofpools.ThismeasurewouldbeimposedwithintheDirector’sauthorityasauthorizedincitycode.Stage4Stage4EmergencyResponse,asoutlinedincitycodeandthecity’sdroughtcontingencyplan,prohibitsalldiscretionarypotablewaterusesincludingirrigation,repairofirrigationsystems,vehiclewashing,surfacewashing,andfillingofpools,spasandfountains.Conservation-(DemandManagement)MandatoryToiletRetrofitonResidentialResaleThisstrategywouldrequireahomeowner,inordertofinalizesaleofaproperty,toprovidecertificationbyalicensedplumberthatalltoiletsinthehomehaveflushvolumesatorbelowthespecifiedflushvolume(1.6gpfattimeofrecommendation,currently1.28gpf).MandatoryToiletChangeoutforCommercial&MultifamilyBuildings—PointinTimeThisstrategywouldrequireallcommercialandmultifamilybuildingstoprovide,byaspecifieddate(2017),certificationbyalicensedplumberthatalltoiletsonthepropertyhaveflushvolumesatorbelowthespecifiedflushvolume(1.6gpfattimeofrecommendation,currently1.28gpf),orbesubjecttonon-compliancefines.Limitirrigatedareainnewresidentialdevelopment—Thisstrategywouldlimittheareathatcanbeservedbyanautomaticirrigationsystemtonomorethan2.5timesthebuildingfootprint.Itwouldrequiresomeformofplanreview,whichiscurrentlynotrequiredforresidentialproperties,aswellasfinalinspection.RequirenewfacilitiestocaptureA/Ccondensateforreuse—BuildingspermittedafterthestartdateoftheordinancewouldberequiredtocapturecondensatefromA/CPage1of9 systemsforbeneficialreuseindoors(toiletflushing)oroutdoors(irrigationorrequiredlandscapearea),theoreticallylimitingthepotablewaterdemandofnewdevelopment.Requireretrofitofexistingcoolingtowerstomeetefficiencystandards—Thisstrategywouldrequirepropertieswithcoolingtowerstoprovidebyacertaindatecertificationbyalicensedplumberthattowersareoperatingatnofewerthantheminimumcyclesofconcentrationandwithallconductivitycontrollers,blowdownmetersandotherconditionsofthecurrentplumbingcode.Requirehomeauditsattimeofsale—Thisstrategywouldrequirethat,asaconditionofsale,homeownerswouldhavetohaveaprofessionalconductanauditofinteriorandexteriorwater-usingfixturesandprovideacopyofthereport,alongwithrecommendationsforconservationpotential,tothebuyerandtheCity.Savingsareassumedtocomefromgreaterawarenessbythebuyers,butarebasedonauditprogramsinotherstateswhereauditsareperformedforexistinghomeowners.TheCitywouldalsoneedtoencourageandtrainwaterauditprofessionalstomeetdemand,andtheprogramwouldlikelyrequireoutdoorauditstobeperformedbylicensedLandscapeIrrigationInspectorsaccordingtoTCEQrules.Mandatoryirrigationauditsforhighusers—Thisstrategywouldrequirethatcustomerswhousemorethan40,000gallonspermonthinanytwomonthsofa12-monthperiodundergoanevaluationoftheirirrigationsystem.Savingswouldbecontingentonthehomeownersimplementingrecommendationsoftheauditor;auditscouldbeprovidedby(additional)Citystaff,orfromathirdpartyatthehomeowner’sexpense.ImplementsmartmetersforresidentialcustomersThisstrategyassumesthatapproximately190,000residentialwatermetersareexchangedfor“smart”metersthatallowuserstoaccessreal-timedataonwateruse.Savingsarefromgreaterhomeownerawarenessofwateruse,andassumedtobeapproximately10%basedonresultsfromothercities.Theutilitywouldalsosavemoneyfromreducedlaborcosts,reducedwatertheft,andlesstimespentbycustomerserviceagentsonbillcomplaints.Additionalstaffformarketingreclaimedwaterprogram—Thisstrategyaddsanadditionalstaffmemberdedicatedtorecruitingnewcustomersforthereclaimedwaterprogramalongexistingandplannedlinestoreducepotablewaterdemandandcreateeconomiesofscaleinthereclaimedwatersystem.Waterbudgetrates(appliedtoirrigation-onlymeters)—Thisstrategywouldapplyadifferentratestructuretodedicatedirrigationmeters(typicallyatcommercialandmultifamilyproperties);possiblyapplyingtheresidentialtieredrate,orpricingallwateraboveacertainamountatthehighestresidentialrate.Savingsarebasedonpriceelasticityestimatesforreductionsinwateruse.Thestrategywouldrequirebillingsystemchanges,andcouldhaveequityorcost-of-serviceconcerns,asnotallcornmercialpropertieshavededicatedirrigationmeters.Page2of9 Hotwaterondemandincentives—Thisstrategywouldprovidea$100rebatetocustomersinstallingqualifyinghotwaterondemandsystems,designedtominimizethewasteofwaterwhilewaitingforthedesiredtemperatureinbathroomsandkitchens.ProviderebatesforO.8gpftoiletsThisstrategywouldprovidea$50rebatetocustomersinstalling0.8gallonperflushtoiletstoreplace1.6gpforhighertoilets.Currently,thereisonlyoneknownmanufactureroffixturesatthisflushvolume.Other-(DemandManagement)Leakdetection—Continueandimproveleakdetectionprogram.Decentralization(WW/Reuse/Reclaimed/NetZeroSystems)—Thedecentralizedconceptistheideathatwastewaterismosteffectivelyandefficientlymanagedbytreatingit—andreusingit—asclosetowhereitisgeneratedaspractical.Infrastructurefailureandvulnerabilitiesareminimizedwhilewaterresourcesutilizationismaximizedonalocalandhighlyintegratedlevel.Theoverallsystembecomesmorereliableandisadaptabletoavarietyoffuturedevelopmentscenarios.DirectReuse-CompletionofCoreReuseSystem(DemandManagement)-Thisstrategyinvolvesanear-termconstructionprogramtocompletethecentralpartofAustinsdirectreusesystemandinvolves19milesofpipelinemains,apumpstationandstoragetank.Completingthecorereusesystemwillenableasystemcapacityincreaseto2.2billiongallonsperyearforaprojected135customers.RegulatoryBuildingcodemodifications—DevelopmentinAustinshouldbedirectedatwaterconservationandintelligentwatermanagement.Thebuildingcodeshallincludepositivereinforcementofrainwaterharvesting,reclaimedwateruse,plumbingforgraywater/reuseopportunities,urbancanopy,waterconservationinnovations,andotherconsiderationstoimprovewaterefficiencyandpromotewaterconservation.Plumbingcodemodifications—Plumbingcodeshallincludemodificationstoimproveefficiencystandards,plumbingforgraywater/reuseopportunities,andincludeotherconsiderationstoimprovewaterefficiencyandpromoteconservation.Stormwatermanagementprograms/incentives—CityofAustinshouldreviewexistingpoliciesandprogramsandevaluateadditionalopportunitiesforthecaptureofadditionalwatersupplyfromstormwaterflows.Theseprogramsshouldincludetheevaluationofexampleutilitiesinthathavesuccessfullyimplementedtheseprogramsandtheconsiderationofphysicalinfrastructuretoaccomplishsuchgoals.Landusemanagementprograms/incentives—Developandfocusonlow-impactdevelopmentstrategytargetedtoretainandrestorethehydrologytomorenativeconditions.Page3of9 Graywateruseprograms/incentives—CityofAustinshouldreviewexistingpoliciesandprogramsandevaluateadditionalopportunitiesforexpansionoftheuseofgraywaterwithinitsjurisdiction.Theseprogramsshouldincludetheevaluationofexampleutilitiesinthathavesuccessfullyimplementedtheseprogramsandtheconsiderationofphysicalinfrastructuretoaccomplishsuchgoals.Developers/industrybringtheirownwater—CityofAustinshouldrequireanynewdevelopmenttoprovideasecurewatersupplytothedevelopmentatthetimeofpermitapplication.ThiscanincludeCityofAustinwatersupplybutshouldincludefirmdeliveryamountsandagreementspriortobuildingapproval.ParticipateinLCRAManagementPlanprocess—CityofAustinsignedacontractwiththeLowerColoradoRiverAuthorityin1999toensurethattheagencywouldguaranteefuturewatertothecity,prepaying$100milliontosecurethesupply.LCRAshouldparticipateinfundinganyfuturewatersupplyprojectsthatarenecessaryforareliablefuturesupplyofcomparablevolumetotheCityofAustin.TheCityshouldcontinueitsparticipationintheLCRAmanagementplanprocesswithafocusonearlierimplementationofwaterconservationanddroughttriggerresponses.Inaddition,thisparticipationshouldpromotethestorageintheHighlandLakesandwaterconservationprogramconsistencyamongwaterusersoftheLCRAsystem.Waterpricingstructures—Developmoreaggressivewaterpricingstructuresfordroughtandwatersupplyrestrictions.Enterintodroughtstagesearlier—Enterintowatersupplyrestrictionsanddroughtdeclarationsearlierbasedonimprovedtriggersandrecentdata.BehavioralIncentivesforconservationprograms—Waterconservationshouldbepromotedandincentivizedwhereopportunitiesexist.ThemostaffordablewateriswaterthatisalreadyundertheCity’scontrol.Citycodes,policies,andproceduresshouldallbegearedtoimprovewaterefficiencyandpromoteconservation.Incentivesforrainwaterharvestingsystems—CityofAustinshouldincentivizeopportunitiesforadditionalexpansionofrainwaterharvestingprogramswithinjurisdiction.Cityshouldconsideroptionssuchasaddingrainwaterharvestingtoprovidedecentralizedopportunitieswithincurrentdistributionsystemandexpandingtheexistingrebateprograms.Reviewofexistingregulationsandpoliciesshouldbeconductedtofindopportunitiesforwaterefficiencythroughrainwatercapture.Thesepoliciesshouldbereviewedinconjunctionwithstormwatermanagementpoliciestoidentifyopportunitiestoworktogether.WaterEducationInitiatives—CityofAustinshoulddevelopaneducationprogramtoinstillanewwaterethic,aswellasanunderstandingofthecost/valueofwaterwithinthecommunity.ThiseducationwouldinvolveaconsistentpublicmessageabouttheneedandurgencytomeetPage4of9 theCity’swaterneedsforourrapidlygrowingpopulationwhilesustainingafiniteresourcethatiscriticaltohealth,economy,culture,andidentity.Consumptioncomparisonaverageonwaterbill—AWUcustomerwouldreceiveamonthlywaterusecomparisonwithneighborhood/zipcodewaterconsumptioncomparisonontheirCQAutilitybill.Theintentoftheprogramistobringawarenesstotheirwateruseandprovideabasisforcomparisontoaverageuseintheirareaorseasonaluse.SUPPLYMANAGEMENTSTRATEGIESAugmentationofSuppliesSystemOperationalImprovementsofExistingSuppliesLonghornDamGateOperation—PrimaryreleasesfromLonghornDamarefrombasculegates.Pulseflowsresultinexcessreleases.LCRAdesignedandfundedinstallationofknifegatesforimprovedperformancebutstillcannotcontrolflowstomatchdownstreamflowneeds.ProjectisbeingcoordinatedbyLCRAandAE,whichinvolvesshiftingoperationstouseexistingliftgatestoreleasewaterthroughLonghornDam.Providesmoreflexibilityandbetterdebriscontrol.Notethatthisoperationapproachwasusedhistoricallypriortotheinstallationoftheknifegates(sometimesreferredtoaskeyholes).ReducedLakeEvaporation-includeFayette—NSF-approvedproductappliedtolakestoformamonolayerthatreducesevaporation.Productismadefrominsolublefattyacidsfromcoconutsandpalmandcomesinapowderformwhichbiodegradeswithin72hours.Literatureontheproductandprocessindicatesthatevaporationcouldbereducedby20to30%.Theproductwouldneedtoberegularlyappliedtothelakesurfacesusingaspreadingprocesssuchasapplicationfromthesternofamotorboat.Forthepurposesofcomparativeanalysis,estimatesofwatersavingsfromreducedevaporationfromthisprojectfromLadyBirdLakeandLakeLongweredeveloped.Theremaybeotherproductsormethodsinthearenaofevaporationthatcouldbeexplored.WalterLong(Decker)LakeOff-ChannelStorage—LakeLongisusedforcoolingwaterforDeckerPowerStation.WaterfromtheColoradoRiverisdivertedtoprovidemakeupwaterforevaporationtomaintainthislakeforsteam-electriccoolingpurposes.Thepowerplantcanoperatewitha3-ft.variationinlakelevel(whichrepresentsavolumeofapproximately3,750AF).TheapproachwouldbetosavemorewaterinlakesTravisandBuchananthroughstrategiclakerefilloperationscoordinationwithLCRAinwetterlocalconditionsand,potentially,throughtimelyreleasesfromtheLakeLong’sdamtopossiblysatisfydownstreamrequirements,includingmeetingenvironmentalflowrequirements.Page5of9 SARDischargeRelocationaboveAustinGauge—ProjecttorelocateaportionoftheSARWWTPtreatedeffluentdischargetoupstreamoftheriverflowgageknownasthe“Austingage”,whichislocatednearUS183bridgeovertheColoradoRivernotfardownstreamofLonghornDam.TheapproachwouldbetousedischargeflowtomeetenvironmentalflowrequirementsattheAustingage.LCRA’sWaterManagementPlan(WMP)requiresLCRAtomaintaina46cubicfeetpersecond(cfs)minimumflowatthatgage.ThisprojectwouldonlybebeneficialwhenenvironmentalflowmaintenanceatthisgageisthecontrollingfactorinLCRAreleasesfromupstreamreservoirs.TheKriegFieldreclaimedwaterlinecouldbeusedtodischargeflowbelowLonghornDam.Thisprojectwouldrequireawastewaterdischargepermit.LakeAustinVaryingOperatingLevel—ProjecttovaryLakeAustinlakelevelsseasonallytoallowlocalflowstobecapturedratherthan“spilled”downstream.Droughtresponseemergencyoperationalapproachwouldbetoletlocalusagedrawthelakeleveldownafewfeettobeabletocatchrunofffromlocalstormeventsshouldtheyoccur.Thisapproachwouldallowforcontrolleduseofthatrunoffasopposedtothatwaterspillingoverthedamtoflowdownstreamevenifisnotneededdownstreamatthattime.Recentraineventsin2012and2013inAustinareexamplesofeventthatcouldhaveresultedincombinedstoragebenefitstothisoperationalapproach.TheseeventsdidnotprovidesignificantinflowstolakesTravisandBuchananbutdidprovidelargeamountsofrunoffintoLakeAustinandotherareasofAustintotheeast.EnhancedOperationsInvolvingAdditionalCapital,PermittingorCommunityImpactAutomateLonghornGates—ProjecttoautomateLonghornDamknifegatestoprovideimprovedoperationalcontrolonflowreleases.Thisprojectwouldalsoprovidetrashrackstopreventclogging.Theprojectwouldminimizestafftimerequiredtoconductgateoperationstofinetuneflowcontrol.WalterLong(Decker)LakeOff-ChannelStorage(enhancedstorage)—EnhanceoperationsofLongLaketoallowmorefluctuationinlakeleveluptoapproximately25feet.ProjectwouldresultinoperatingLongLakeessentiallyasanoff-channelstoragereservoirtobenefitstoragelevelsinlakesTravisandBuchanan.LakeLongholdsapproximately30,000AFwhenfull.TheconceptwouldallowwaterfromLongLaketobereleasedtomeetdownstreamneeds,includingenvironmentalflowsandotheruses,whichwouldotherwiseneedtobereleasedfromlakesTravisandBuchanan.ProjectwouldrequiremakingimprovementstoincreaseabilitytorefilllakebyincreasingpumpingcapacityatColoradoRiverpumpstationandbybuildingareclaimedwatermainfromWalnutCreekWWTPtoLakeLong.AreclaimedwatermainalongthisgeneralrouteisincludedintheReclaimedMasterPlanandwouldbebeneficialforotherpurposes.ProjectwouldnecessitatetakingDeckerPowerStationPlantoff-line.AustinEnergy(AE)isintheprocessofconductingtheir2014GenerationPlanupdate.AEisevaluatingfutureoptionsatthissite.ItisanticipatedthatsignificantchangesmaybePage6of9 forthcoming,whichmaycreateimprovedopportunitiesforuseofLakeLonginthismanner.AWUwillcontinuetocoordinatewithAEontimingaspects,asnecessary.CaptureLocalInflowstoLadyBirdLake—ProjectwouldinstallafloatingpumpintakebelowTomMillerDamandatransmissionmaintopumpwaterfromLadyBirdLake(LBL)intotheUllrichWaterTreatmentPlantintakelinefortreatmentanddeliveryintoAustin’swaterdistributionsystem.Thisprojectwouldallowforthecaptureofspringflows,includingflowsfromBartonSpringsthatflowintoLBL,andotherstormflowswhentheyarenotneededdownstreamforenvironmentalflowmaintenanceorfordownstreamseniorwaterrights.AquiferStorage&Recovery—Projectwouldstorewaterundergroundforlateruse.Keystothisprojectincludesourcewaterandlocatingasuitableaquifer.ColoradoRiversourcedwaterwouldnotaddressthecurrentdrought.Conceptuallywaterisstoredintimeswhenexcesswaterisavailableforstoragesothatitcanbetakenoutforusewhenneeded.UseofreclaimedwaterforthepurposesofstoringwaterfortheASRprojectcanincreasenear-termsupplybutmaynotprovidebenefitstocombinedstorageoflakesTravisandBuchananifwaterwouldneedtobereleasedfromthelakestomakeupthewaterbeingstoredintheASRproject.ProjectconsideredNorthernEdwardsAquiferwithWalnutCreekWWTPasasourceofreclaimedwater.ProjectrequiresconstructionofconveyancepipelineandASRwells.IndirectPotableReuse-SARtoLadyBirdLake—ProjectwouldmoveaportionoftheSouthAustinRegional(SAR)WastewaterTreatmentPlant(WWTP)dischargetoLadyBirdLake(LBL).RequiresaccelerationofreclaimedwatermainsidentifiedintheReclaimedMasterPlan.WaterwouldbewithdrawnfromanewintakepumpstationonLBLbelowTomMillerDam.ProjectwouldrequireconstructionofpumpingfacilitiesandpipelinetomovethewaterfromLBLintotheUllrichWTPintakeline.Systemwouldonlyoperatewhendownstreamdemandsarebeingmet.Basedonpreliminaryassessment,theretentiontimeinLBLforthiswaterisapproximately6months.ProjectwouldrequirenutrientremovalatSARWWTPforthetreatedWWTPeffluentwatertobedischargedintoLBL.BartonSpringsCapture&Augmentation—Groundwaterpumpingcouldbeoffsetbyconnectiontoalternatewatersupply,includingCityofAustin,toallowforadditionalspringflowduringcriticalflowneeds.Environmentalbenefitsareexpected,however,nonewwatersupplyvolumeisgeneratedfromthisstrategyasadditionalsurfacewaterwouldmeetmostoffsetdemand.Waterrightretirementorpurchaseisanothercomponentofthisstrategythatoffersbenefitswithoutanyinfrastructureorsupplyimpacts.Page7of9 NewGroundwaterSuppliesBlueWaterSystems(Treat&Deliver)—ExistingprojectsupplyingCarrizo-WilcoxwatertoalocationeastofAustinneartheCityofManor.BlueWaterSystemsholdspermitsforexportofupto75,000AF/yearfromthePostOakSavannaGCD.Theprojectcurrentlysupplies1-2MGDtootherentitieseastofAustininthevicinityofSH130andUS290.ExistingsystemcanbeexpandedtosupplyAustinwithapproximately10MGD.BlueWaterwouldberesponsibleforexpansionconstructionwithcostrecoveredinrates.Atake-or-paycontractwouldberequired.Acontractcouldbeforbetween5and30years.Forestar—ForestarhasgroundwaterleasesinBastropandLeeCounties.However,thereisnoexistinginfrastructure.ForestarhasacontractwithHaysCountytoreserve45,000AF/yearfor$1millionperyear.Thecompanyhasappliedfor45,000AFperyearinpermitsfromtheLostPinesGCDbutreceivedpermitsforonly12,000AF/year.Forestarhasfiledsuitforpermits.Infrastructuredevelopmentdependsonlong-termcontract.Availabilityisunknown.NorthernEdwardsWeilfield—NorthernEdwardshasbeenusedbyentitiesinthepast(LamplightVillage),however,thewellyieldsaretypicallylow1MGD.Thewaterqualityisgood,however,compatibilitywouldneedtobedeterminedandverified.Projectwouldrequirelandpurchases.VistaRidge—ConsortiumincludingBlueWaterSystems,whichrespondedtoSAWS’srequestforproposalsforwatersupply.50,000AFofpermittedCarrizo-Wilcoxwater.ProjectwouldincludeconstructionofapipelinefromBurlesonCo.toSanAntonioandothertreatmentanddeliveryfacilities.Hays-CaldwellPublicUtilityAuthority—BriefDescription:PublicUtilityAuthoritymadeupofSanMarcos,Kyle,Buda,CrystalClear,andCanyonRegional.Thereisnoexistinginfrastructure.HCPUAhaspermitsfor10,400Ac-Ft/YrfromtheGonzalesCountyGCDandapartnershipwithTexasWaterAllianceforanadditional15,000Ac-Ft/Yr.TrinityAquiferSupplies—ExploreopportunitiesforlimitedwatersupplydiversificationinthewesternandsouthernportionsoftheCity’sserviceareathathaveaccesstothesesupplementalwatersupplies.OtherNewSuppliesBrackishdesalination—DevelopwellsindowndipbrackishzoneoftheEdwardsAquifer,generallyinthesoutheastareaofAustinnearUS183andSH130.Projectwouldrequiredesalinationplant,drillingandcompletionof20productionwellsand8disposalwells,andextensivelandpurchases.Page8of9 Reclaimedwaterbankinfiltration—SpreadeffluentfromtheSouthAustinRegional(SAR)WWTPinaninfiltrationbasin,whichwouldrechargeintothelocalColoradoAlluviumformation.Thenrecapturethewaterinalluvialwellsalongtheriver.Oncethewaterisrecaptured,itispumpedtothewatertreatmentplanthroughapipeline.Thisoptionrequiressignificantlandpurchases.ColoradoBedandBanks—Recapturedischargedeffluentdownstreamtobepumpedbackupstreamfortreatment.CityofAustinandLCRAhaveappliedjointlyforthewaterrightspermit,inaccordancewiththetermsofthe2007settlementagreementbetweenAustinandLCRA.Rainwaterharvesting—WatersupplyaugmentationforCityofAustinwatersuppliesshouldbeconsideredunderthegeneralprinciplethatdiversificationofwatersourcesshouldbeprioritized.CollectingandutilizingyourrainwaterisasoldasTexashistoryandshouldbeanimportantconsiderationinfutureoptionstoincludeinthewatersupplyportfolio.Commercial—TheCityofAustinshouldconsiderprovidingincentiveprogramsandretrofitprogramstocapturelarge-scaleinstitutionalrainwatercatchmentsystems.Thisapproachcanfacilitatedecentralizationstrategiesandprovideabalancedapproachtomanagingtheutilitiesinfrastructure.Residential—TheCityofAustinshouldcontinuetofundandexpandresidentialopportunitiesforrainwaterharvestingtooffsetpeaksummerloaddemands.Incentiveandrebateprogramsshouldbediversifiedtomeetawiderangeofuserneedsandpromoteconservationandwaterefficiency.ASR-Regional/Desalination(RegionalNon-EdwardsAquifer)—CityofAustinshoulddevelopandparticipateinlarge-scaleregionalASRsystemwithpartnerssuchasLCRA,CitiesincludingPflugerville,RoundRock,Buda,Kyle,andotherstodevelopadroughtproofregionalwatersupplystorageandwithdrawalsystemtoaugmentexistingsuppliesusingacombinationofsourcessuchasgroundwater,desalinatedsupplies,andreusesources.Page9of9 Appendix0Definitions-WaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteria Definitions-WaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteriaWaterSupplyBenefit1.SupplyVolume-Doestheproposedwatersupplystrategyprovideasignificantvolume?Howhighisourconfidenceinthereliabilityofthewatersupply(appliestostrategiesthataresavingsorsupplybased)?2.DroughtResilience-Doestheamountofwatersupplyfromwatersupplystrategychangebasedondroughtcondition(isit“droughtproof”)?3.Improvedreliabilityandutilizationofexistingsupplies-Doesproposedwatersupplystrategyextendexistingsuppliessothatwecanservemorepeopleforlongerwiththesameamount?DoestheproposedwatersupplystrategymaintainnecessarydownstreamsuppliessuchthatHighlandLakesstorageisextended?4.Qualitycompatibilitywithexistingdistributionsystems-Wouldexistinginfrastructureortreatmentprogramneedtobemodifiedtoaddresswaterqualityconcernsfromanewsource?5.LocalControl(resilience&risk)-DoestheproposedwatersupplystrategysecuresupplyfromalocalwatersourceunderthecontroloftheAustincommunity?IstheproposedwatersupplystrategyassociatedwithpotentialriskforfutureaccessibilityifnotunderlocalcontroloftheAustincommunity?6.Diversification—DoesthewatersupplystrategydiversifyAustin’scurrentwatersupplyportfolio?EconomicImpacts1.AnnualCost-Annualcosttoimplementstrategy(shouldincludeallconstruction,treatment,distributionandsystemupsizingcostsonthewaterandwastewaterside,unlessotherwisenoted).Ahigherannualcostisassumedtohaveahighereffecttoratepayers.2.TreatmentNeed/Cost-Doescostofproposedwatersupplystrategyincludetreatment?Ifnot,whatistreatmentcost(ifknown)?3.EnergyIntensity-Doesproposedwatersupplystrategyhavealargerenergyassociatedwithproduction,treatmentandtransportthancurrentAustinWatersupplies?4.EnergyGeneration-Doesproposedwatersupplystrategyhaveanopportunityforenergygeneration/offset?EnvironmentalImpacts1.ImpactsonotherWaterSupplies-Doestheproposedwatersupplystrategyhavepotentialforwaterqualityorquantityimpactsofanothersource/supply?2.InstreamFlow-DoesthewatersupplystrategydecreaseinstreamflowsintheColoradoRiverorothercontributingstreams?3.Endangered/ThreatenedSpeciesimpact-Doeswatersupplystrategynegativelyimpactspecieshabitat(terrestrialoraquatic)orenvironmentalflowsforanaquaticspecies?4.Wetlands-Doeswatersupplystrategyimpactsizeorproductivityofexistingwetlands?5.WaterQuality-Doesproposedwatersupplystrategynegativelyimpactwaterqualityinanyway?DoesproposedwatersupplystrategyenabledevelopmentontheBartonSprings/EdwardsAquifercontributingorrechargezones? SocialImpacts1.ImagineAustinPlan-DoesproposedwatersupplystrategyconformtoImagineAustingoals?InparticularIAPlanGoal2:SustainablyManageourWaterResources.Pages191-192.http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Planning/ImagineAustin/webiacpreduced.pdf2.BalanceEconomicandEnvironmentalImpactswithCommunityInterests-DoesproposedwatersupplystrategyreflectAustin’scommunityvaluesandqualityoflifegoals?3.Recreation-Doesproposedwatersupplystrategyimpactwater-basedrecreationactivities?(Ex.kayaking/SUP/fishingandotherrecreationactivitiesonLadyBirdLake,ColoradoRiverPaddlingTrailinBastrop)Implementability1.RequiredExternalAdoption-Arenecessaryentitiescoordinatingonproposedwatersupplystrategy?IsthereanMOUrequired/present?DoesAustincurrentlypossesthewaterrightsorcontractforproposedwatersupplystrategy?IfnotAustin,doessupplyingentity/individualhaveclearaccesstowater?DoesAustinneedtogetanypermits?TCEQ,COE,etc?2.LandAcquisition—Doesproposedwatersupplystrategyrequirelandacquisition?3.TimingofImplementation-Howfastcanproposedwatersupplystrategybeputonline/implemented?4.RegulatoryApproval-Doesproposedwatersupplystrategyrequireanyregulatoryapproval?Isitroutine(i.e.quick)processormoreinvolved?5.PoliticalOpposition-Istherepoliticaloppositiontotheproposedwatersupplystrategy(localand/orinwatersourcearea)6.PublicAcceptance-Doespublic“embrace”proposedwatersupplystrategy.Willtherebeanissuewithpublicacceptance?Ifwatersupplystrategywasimplemented,wouldsurroundingcommunitiesobject?7.LegalUncertainties—Aretherelegaluncertaintiesassociatedwithwatersupplystrategy?Willtheseissuesaffectyieldoraccessibilitytowater?RiskofAlternativeSupplies1.DependenceonClimaticConditions-Isthepredictedsupplyyieldoftheproposedwaterstrategyaffectedbyclimateconditions?Isvariabilityofyieldexpectedwithachangeinclimateconditions?3.Hydrologicstorageriskforpotentialenvironmentalrelease-IsthesupplyyieldoftheproposedwatersupplystrategylikelytoresultinoverallnosignificantnetgaininHighlandLakestorageduetocurrentLCRAWMPoperations? AppendixERecommendedScoringSystem—COADroughtResponseDecisionMatrix RecommendedScoringSystemforCOADroughtResponseDecisionMatrix-Example,RequiresCompletionSupplyVolumeAnnualCostTreatmentNeed/CostEnergyIntensityEnergyGenerationImpactsonotherWaterSuppliesInstreamFlowEndangered/ThreatenedSpeciesImpact________________Wetland5WaterQualityImagineAustinPlanSalanceseconomic&environmentalimpactsw/comrnunityinterests-RecreationRequiredExternalAdoptionLandAcquisitionTimingofImplementation_________________RegulatoryApprovalPoliticalOpposition_____________________________LegalUncertaintiesPublicAcceptanceDependenceonClimaticConditionsScoringSystemcategoryISub-Category-2-10[2Minimal(<_AF)Moderate(_AF<a<AF)Significant(>AF)GreatlyreducedreliabilityNotablereducedreliabilitySlightlyreducedreliability100%reliabiliitythroughDroughtResilienceNeutralduringdroughtduringdroughtduringdroughtdroughtWSPextendsexistingsuppliesWSPsignificantlyextendsWSPdoesnotimproveCriteria1:WaterSupplyImprovedreliabilityandutilizationofexistingWSPextendsexistingsuppliesWSPextendsexistingsuppliestoservemorepeopleandexistingsuppliestoserveBenefitsuppliesreliabilityandutilizatIOnoftoservemorepeopletoservemorepeopleprotectsHighlandLakesmorepeopleandprotectsexistingsuppliessupplyHighlandLakessupplyQualitycompatibilitywithenistingdistributionsystemsLocalControlIResilienceandRisklDiversificationCriteria2:EconomicImpactCriteria3:EnvironmentalImpactsCriteria4:SocialImpactsCriteria5:lmplementabilityCriteria6:RiskofAlternativeSuppliesHydrologicstorageriskforpotentialenvironmentalreleasezF-TobeCompleted AppendixFModelingDroughtResponseStrategiesRichardHoffpauir,PhD.,P.E.—June25,2014 ModelingDroughtResponseStrategiesAustinWaterResourcesPlanningTaskForceJune25,2014RichardHoffpauir,Ph.D.,RE. DroughtResponseStrategies•DroughtresponsestrategiesweremodeledforthepurposesofexemplifyingsimulatednetbenefitsonstorageinlakesBuchananandTravisunderrepeateddroughtconditions.•Simulatingseveralgroupingsor“tiers”canuncoverstrategysynergiesorinterferences.•ThetieredstrategymodelsinthishandoutarebasedontaskforcerequestfromtheJune19,2014AWRPTFmeeting.Thetieredstrategygroupingsarenotnecessarilyreflectiveoffinaltaskforcerecommendations. AssumptionsforAustinDCPImplementationProjectedDiversionsinThousandAcre-Feet(TAF)-RoundedtoNearest0.5TAFAssumption:ModeledStageHighlandLakesCombined201420152016201720182019Storage_Level_Trigger_(AF)ConservationFullto1.4MAF155.0158.0159.5161.0162.5164.0StageStage11.4MAFto900,000150.5153.5155.0156.0157.5159.0Stage2900,000to600,000142.0144.5145.5147.0148.5149.5Stage3600,000to500,000124.5125.5127.0128.5129.5131.0lnterim*500,000to400,000109.0110.0111.0112.0113.0114.5Stage4400,000andbelow99.5100.5101.0102.5103.5104.5*Includesconceptual“Interim”stage-potentiallyincludeshand-wateringonlyincludesestimatedreductionsofindoorusecorrelatingtocommunityresponsetodroughtseverityNote:1acre-foot(AF)=325,851gallons*Asof5/2014,estimatessubjecttochange Tier1StrategiesKeyModelingModelStrategyDescriptionAssumptionImplementationOperatingrangeofLakeWalterE.Top3,700acre-feetoflakeStartofsimulation,Longadjustedtoallowforapprox.capacityisfilledwithlocalandJune20143’ofdrawdownbeforecallingforrun-of-riverwateronly.LCRAstoredwaterLonghornDamgate6,000acre-feetperyear(afy)June2014improvementstoincreaseofimprovedreleaseefficiencyefficiencyofdownstreamreleasesIncreasedAustinmunicipalconservation,beyondsavingsdueDemands(previouspage)areJanuary2015todroughtcontingencystagereducedby5%inallstagesimplementationIncreaseAustinmunicipaldirect1,800afyinallDCPstagesJanuary2020reuse,“CompletingtheCore”IncorporatedintoallthreetierstrategiesisimplementationoftheDCPstagesincludingtheconceptual“interim”stage.ThekeymodelingassumptioncolumnforallthreetierstrategiesisnotnecessarilyreflectiveoftheannualHighlandLakesstoragesavings.TheHighlandLakesstoragesavingscollectivelyfromallstrategiesareshowngraphicallyinthemodelingresults. Tier2Strategies.KeyModelingModelStrategyDescriptionAssumptionImplementationCapturelocalinflowsinLadyBirdLake,includingfromBartonSpringsandDeepEddy.“Excessflow”isdivertedonLadyBirdVariableamountofexcessLake.Excessflowissimulatedaswaterisflowisdivertedpermonth,...January2016notrequiredforpassagetodownstreamdependingonhydrologicseniorwaterrightsandnotneededtomeetconditionsdownstreamLCRAenvironmentalflowrequirements.LakeAustinOperationsOperateLakeAustinwithina3’rangetoallowlocalflowstobecapturedratherthan“spilled”SeptemberthroughMaydownstream.DroughtresponseemergencyTop3’ofLakeAustinisusedoperationalapproachwouldbetoletlocalforcapturinglocalexcessonlyafterBuchananandusagedrawthelakeleveldownafewfeettobeflow,approx.4,500acre-Traviscombinedstorageabletocatchrunofffromlocalstormeventsfeetoflakecapacity.fallsbelow600,000shouldtheyoccur.LakeAustinoperationsareacre-feetmodeledonlyinthemonthsofSeptemberthroughMaywhenthecombinedstorageoftheHighlandLakesfallsbelow600,000acre-feet.IncorporatedintoallthreetierstrategiesisimplementationoftheDCPstagesincludingtheconceptual“interim”stage. WalterLongOff-ChannelStorage(EnhancedCapacity)AssumesDeckerpowerplantisofflinewhenthisstrategyisineffect.DuringthesimulationperiodLCRAstoredwaterisnotcalledformaintainingstoragecontentsinLakeLongwhilethepowerplantisoffline.DeckerCreekinflows,ColoradoRiver“excessflows”,andreclaimedwaterarestoredinLakeLong.ReleasesofstoredwateraremadetoDeckerCreektomeetdownbasindemandsandtomeetLCRAinstreamflowandbay&estuaryinflowrequirements.IndirectPotableReuse—SARtoLadyBirdLakeIndirectreusethroughLadyBirdLakeforaugmentingpotablewatersupply.Indirectreusesimulatedasaconstantmonthlyamount.ReleasesofstoredwaterfromLakeLongaremadetooffsetdecreasedreturnflowdischargeabovetheBastropgage.BothTier3strategiesaresimulatedanytimeafterJanuary1,2016whenBuchananandTraviscombinedstoragefallsbelow420,000acre-feet.Tier3strategiesceaseifcombinedstoragerecoversto650,000acre-feet.WithregardtotheDeckerstrategy,nodecisionshavebeenmaderegardingactualfutureoperationsofDeckerpowerplant.Tier3StrategiesKeyModelingModelStrategyDescriptionAssumptionImplementationTop25’ofLakeLongisusedforreleasingtoDeckerCreek,approx.23,400acre-feetoflakecapacity.20Mgd,approx.22,400afyIncorporatedintoallthreetierstrategiesisimplementationoftheDCPstagesincludingtheconceptual“interim”stage. BaselineModelingAssumptions•CombinedStorageinitializedto787,000acre-feet,asobservedonJune1,2014•AllsimulationsbeginJune1,2014andendJanuary1,2024•Dry/referenceyeardemandswhennotsimulatingcurtailmentduetolakecombinedstoragebelow600,000acre-feet,i.e.,pro-ratacurtailmentduetoadeclarationofadroughtworsethanthedroughtofrecord(DWDR)byLCRA•Austinmunicipaldemandgrowth•AustinmunicipaldemandsreducedaccordingtoAustin’sDCPstages•Otherfirmcustomerdemandsreducedinitiallyby20%underDWDR.Reductionby30%below500,000acre-feetofcombinedstorage.•InterruptiblestoredwatercutoffunderDWDR•LCRAWMPEmergencyOrderforcutoffofinterruptiblestoredwaterifDWDRnotineffect•LCRAtemporaryamendmentsforadditionaldiversionpointsofLCRArun-ofriverrightsbelowtheHighlandLakes•LCRAEmergencyOrdertoreducethespringinstreamflowrequirementbetweenBastropandColumbusfrom500to300cfsfor6-consecutiveweeks•CorpusChristirun-of-riverdiversionof35,000afybegins,July2015 BaselineModelingAssumptions(continued)•LatestColoradoRiverBasinhydrologydatasetfromTCEQisused.Thehydrologydatasetincludesallyearsofthecurrentdroughtexceptfor2014.•Thepercentreductionsofthe2011-2013hydrologyrepeatsadjustsstreamflowsatallgagesinthebasinbythestatedpercentage.•LCRA’sgroundwatersupplyinBastropcountyissimulatedasasourceformeetingpowerplantdemandsonLakeBastrop.LCRAgroundwaterissimulatedas5,000afy,andincreasedto10,000afyifdroughtconditionsexistinBastropcountyonJanuary1ofeachyear.•LCRAinstreamflowandbay&estuaryfreshwaterinflowrequirementsarereducedinthesimulationby20%and30%whencombinedstoragefallsbelow600,000and500,000acre-feet,respectively.•TheBaselineandStrategyTiersimulationsdonotcontaintheLCRALowerBasinReservoirProject(LBRP).Thereservoirisexpectedtobeoperationalin2017andwillbelocatedupstreamofBayCity. SimulationHydrology•Thebaselineandstrategytiersweresimulatedwithtwohydrologicconditionsrepeatingfor9fullyears.Thefollowingsequencesbeginwith2015:•2011-2013streamflowrepeating•70%of2011-2013streamflowrepeating•HydrologyforJune-December2014issimulatedbyrepeatingthehydrologyofJune-December2013.The70%streamflowreductionisalsoapplied. SimulatedCombinedStorageofLakesBuchananandTravisBaselineSimulationwithJune1,2014StartIncorporatedintotheBaselineresultshownhere,andallthreetierstrategies,isimplementationoftheAustinDCPstagesincludingtheconceptual“interim”stage.2,100,0001,800,0001,500,000aJLI1,200,00004-ILI,900,000-C-oE0L)600,000300,0000(ioj ResultsforSimulationswithRepeatof2011-2013StreamFlow(11) SimulatedCombinedStorageofLakesBuchananandTravisSimulationsStartwithJune1,2014787,000ac-ftofCombinedStorage900,000800,000700,0004-Ia)600,000a)1U500,000oj0400,000300,000E0200,000100,0000(12)ryN’N’N’r.4N’N’rN’N’r4 TimeSpentatVariousCombinedStorageLevelsBaselineTier1Tier2Tier3StorageNumberofMonthsAtorAbv.600k32495255500-599k45474847400-499k31151614Blw.400k8500116116116116StoragePercentofTotalMonthsAtorAbv.600k28%42%45%47%500-599k39%41%41%41%400-499k27%13%14%12%BIw.400k7%4%0%0%100%100%100%100%(13] DifferencefromBaselineinSimulatedCombinedStorageoflakesBuchananandTravisSimulationsStartwithJune1,2014787,000ac-ftofCombinedStorage100,00090,00080,000a)LI70,000a)60,00004-’If.,50,000-DE40,0008C30,000a)a)20,00010,0000(14)N>-->->->t-yN ResultsforSimulationswith70%Repeatof2011-2013StreamFlow(15) SimulatedCombinedStorageofLakesBuchananandTravisSimulationsStartwithJune1,2014787,000ac-ftofCombinedStorageAWRPTFTierStrategySet900,000800,000700,000•1-’ww600,0009-wIU500,00004-,400,000-DC300,000200,000100,0000(16)>..-c7,‘.4‘.‘.4‘.4‘.4‘.-yr.4‘y‘.4‘.4‘.4‘.4‘.4‘.1‘.4 TimeSpentatVariousCombinedStorageLevelsAWRPTFTierStrategySetBaselineTierlTier2Tier3StorageNumberofMonthsAtorAbv.600k13131313500-599k7899400-499k13172027BIw.400k83787467116116116116StoragePercentofTotalMonthsAtorAbv.600k11%11%11%11%500-599k6%7%8%8%400-499k11%15%17%23%BIw.400k72%67%64%58%100%100%100%100%(17) DifferencefromBaselineinSimulatedCombinedStorageofLakesBuchananandTravisSimulationsStartwithJune1,2014787,000ac-ftofCombinedStorageAWRPTFTierStrategySet200,000175,000150,0004-’125,0001;100,00075,00050,000CQiC)25,0000(18)-c7,>•-q’-N-,7YN>1 Observations•Asstrategiesincreasecombinedstorage,firmdemandsandenvironmentalflowrequirementscanincrease.Thebenefitofthestrategycanbemeasuredin:•absolutegainincombinedstorage,and•thenumberofmonthsspentatlevels:•abovethetriggerforpro-ratareductionsandimplementingAustin’sDCPstages,and•athigherlevelsofenvironmentalflowmaintenance•The70%streamflowscenarioresultsincombinedstoragebelow500,000acre-feetformostofthesimulation.Includesassumptionpro-ratacurtailmentreducesinstreamflowandbay&estuaryinflowrequirementsby30%attheselevels.(19) Observations(Continued)•Inthemodel,excessflowcaptureonLakeAustin,LadyBirdLake,andattheriverpumpstationforLakeLongincreasesasthecombinedstorageintheHighlandLakesfallsandfirmcustomerdemandsandenvironmentalflowrequirementsarecurtailed.•Inthemodel,excessflowcaptureonLakeAustin,LadyBirdLake,andindirectpotablereusethroughLadyBirdLakeworksynergisticallywithoperationofLakeLongasanexcessflowstorageandreleasefacility.ReleasesfromLakeLongincreasethenumberofmonthswhenupstreamflowscanbecountedasexcess.Likewise,LakeLongreleasesoffsetthedecreaseinreturnflowsbelowLonghornDamduetoindirectpotablereuse.(20) OtherConsiderations•Certainassumptionsweremadeinthemodelingregardingwaterrightpermittingandpriorityorderconsiderationofstreamflows.ModifyingoperationsofexistingwaterrightsmayrequireapplicationforawaterrightamendmentatTCEQ.(21) AppendixGLakeAustinDrawdownSummaryCityofAustin—WatershedProtectionDepartment LakeAustinDrawdownSummaryPreparedbyChrisHerrington,PE,CityofAustinWatershedProtectionDepartmentChris.Herrinpton@AustinTexas.Gov,(512)974-284005/16/2014,revised06/20/2014OnepotentialalternativewatersupplyaugmentationevaluatedbytheAustinWaterUtility(http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Water/FinaISupply-SidePresentationAWRPTF5-19-14.pdf)involvesseasonallyvaryingtheoperatinglevelsofLakeAustintoallowcaptureoflocalflowsratherthanpassingthoseinflowsdownstreamintheColoradoRiver.Watersurfaceelevationmaybedecreasedupto3feetfromthecrestofthedamunderthispotentialstrategy.ThenormalwatersurfaceelevationofLakeAustinis492.8ftabovemeansealevel.TheTexasWaterDevelopmentBoard(TWDB)occasionallyconductsbathymetricstudiesofLakeAustin.TWDByear2009lakedepthinformationwasusedtovisuallyapproximatethedifferenceina3footdrawdownofwatersurfaceelevationsatselectedlocationsonLakeAustinfordemonstrationpurposes.Pleasenotethatthelakebathymetrylayerdoesnotexactlyalignwiththeunderlyingaerialimageryshown,andtheTWDBusesa5footcontourintervalsuchthatthedifferingelevationsareonlygeneralizedapproximations. NormalShoreline3footDrawdownL.Figure1.DownstreamLakeAustinnearTomMillerDamshowingapproximatelocationofnormalwatersurfaceelevation(492.8ftmsl)(yellow)anda3footdrawdown(red)proposedforwatersupplyaugmentation. Figure2.LakeAustinmid-reachnearLoop360bridgeandBullCreekCoveshowingapproximatelocationofnormalwatersurfaceelevation(492.8ftmsl)(yellow)anda3footdrawdown(red)proposedforwatersupplyaugmentation.NormalShoreline3footDrawdownd. Figure3.LakeAustinuppermid-reachnearEmmaLongMetropolitanParkshowingapproximatelocationofnormalwatersurfaceelevation(492.8ftmsl)(yellow)anda3footdrawdown(red)proposedforwatersupplyaugmentation.NormalShoreline3footDrawdownL.v.A‘I‘320480640L. AppendixHWaterUseModelingRequestwithRevisedPopulationEstimatesCityofAustin—AustinWaterUtility WaterUseModelingRequestwithRevisedPopulationEstimatesDisaggregatedWaterUseCategoriesResidentialIndoor:FY11:10,842,075,705(54%ofclass)FY13:11,279,989,930(70%ofclass)ResidentialOutdoor:FY11:9,238,288,595(46%ofclass)FY13:4,776,815,370(30%ofclass)MultifamilyIndoor:FY11:7,582,167,600(80%ofclass)FY13:7,139,734,800(79%ofclass)MultifamilyOutdoor:FY11:1,895,844,800(20%ofclass)FY13:1,860,760,400(21%ofclass)CommercialIndoor:FY11:6,691,880,400(53%ofclass)FY137,153,964,400(67%ofclass)CommercialOutdoor:FY11:5,830,801,400(47%ofclass)FY13:3,591,125,510(33%ofclass)WholesaleIndoor:FY11:2,227,506,000(63%ofclass)FY13:2,197,483,200(74%ofclass)WholesaleOutdoor:FY11:1,286,937,400(37%ofclass)FY13:756,792,728(26%ofclass)*NotesTheresidentialclassincludesduplexes,triplexesandfourplexes.TheMultifamilyclassincludesfiveplexesandhigher.Theindoor/outdoorsplitsarebasedonvariedassumptionsamongdifferentuserclasses.Allindoor/outdoorsplitsarebasedonbilledconsumptionoftheindividualclasses. LargeVolumeUse:FY11:Samsung-1,212,413,000Freescale—651,613,700UniversityofTexas—547,009,600Spansion—419,899,000Hospira—114,565,000Novati—69,790,000Total—3,015,290,300(Totaldoesnotincludeanadditional599,992,400gallonsofUniversityofTexasCommercialclassconsumption)FY13:Samsung-1,436,772,000Freescale—644,751,000UniversityofTexas—464,694,200Spansion—389,113,000Hospira—83,756,000Novati—64,112,000Total—3,083,198,200(Totaldoesnotincludeanadditional384,509,800gallonsofUniversityofTexasCommercialclassconsumption)SystemUseandLosses:SeeattachedWaterLossSummary UseFactorsNumberofconnectionsResidential—193,278Multi-family—5,692Commercial—16,906Industrial(LargeVolume)—28Wholesale-51Totalconnections—215,955(Source:TWDBAnnualWaterConservationReportforWaterSuppliersfortheCityofAustinFY13)PersonsperconnectionFY13ResidentialServiceAreaPopulation(projected)—523,798FY13Multi-familyServiceAreaPopulation(projected)—350,608FY13WholesaleServiceAreaPopulation(projected)—53,620FY13TotalServiceAreaPopulation(Residential+Multifamily÷Wholesaleprojected)—928,026(SourceforServiceAreaPopulation:UtilityBillingDataset)AverageHouseholdSize—2.49AverageFamilySize—3.27(Sourcefordemographicdata:AmericanCommunitySurveyProfileReport2012forAustin)PerCapitaIncomePerCapitaIncome-$31,130MedianHouseholdIncome-$52,453MeanHouseholdIncome-$76,287(Sourceforincomedata:AmericanCommunitySurveyProfileReport2012forAustin)RainwaterHarvestingDateRangeSystemParticipantsCapacity2010-2014Over500Gallons303799,909Under5002010-2014Gallons929140,9762003-2010RainBarrel3,170401,490Totals4,4021,342,375(Source:WCTSquery) GraywaterReuse2gravitysystems(Source:AuxiliaryWaterPermitSearchCY12-CY14)4systemsofunknowntype(Source:Informalstaffdiscussions)Weather:MaximumTemperature—1994—104,07-251995—103,07-281996—102,06-201997—100,08-091998—108,06-141999—106,07-202000—112,08-052001—105,07-182002—102,07-262003—110,07-082004—101,07-052005—107,08-252006—104,07-242007—100,07-132008—105,07-142009—106,06-262010—107,08-242011—112,08-282012—109,06-262013—108,06-29MeanMonthlyMaxTemp1994—80.11995—78.81996—80.11997—76.41998—80.51999—82.12000—80.62001—78.82002—78.92003—79.9 2004—78.92005—80.82006—82.92007—78.82008—82.92009—81.82010—79.52011—84.02012—82.62013—81.3Precipitation(Calendaryear/inches)-1994—41.161995—33.981996—29.561997—46.791998—39.121999—23.932000—37.272001—42.872002—36.002003—21.412004—52.272005—22.332006—34.72007—46.952008—16.072009—31.382010—37.762011—19.682012—32.982013—41.03(Sourceforweatherdata:NOAA,MabrySite) AWuWaterLossCalculationFY11FY12FY13WATERUTILITYGENERALINFORMATIONWaterUtilityNameAustinWaterUtilityAuatinWaterUtilityAustinWaterUtilityOctaberl,2OtOtaOctaberl2011taOctaberl,2012September30September30toSeptember30ReportingPeriod201120122013RetailPopulationU55,69t855,U69874406SYSTEMINPUTVOLUMEWate’VnlumetmmownSaarcea52,834,738,00047,t37,782,00045,927,345,000gals243,014,931mGPruductonMeterAccuracy(%(9800%9800%tUUl%potCorrectedSystemlnpLtVolume53,912,997,95948,099,777,55146,864,637,755gals247,974,419388WhnlessleImportVnlumesU71,845,008Ut,098,000tSt,t43,080TotalSystemInputVolumeS39t29t7,9S948,t71,622,SSt46,952,735,75524t,t34,362,3t0AUTHOWOCONSUMPTIONBilledMeteredUt11%48,t65,3t3,3008934%43,970,260,0879128%41,793,546,1388900%gala221,481,472325tilledUrmetemd070%tU7,t97,505035%3,310,877001%4,265,t2t001%galaN3t70462t1222,t32,176,945UnbilledMetered(amountusedatAWUnuildngs/tacil’ties)020%70,478,8000t3%55,604,700012%36,241,600012%gals342911660UnbiliedUnmetered(amountusedbyothercityOenartnienls043%94,727,346018%73,059,t20O1S%69,148,969012%gals563024394906,755,994TntalAuthanoedConsumptiont944%40,Slt,216,9518999%44,102,315,4049153%41,923,202,5358926%gals223,038,932939223,Ott,t32,93tWaterLtsses(Systeminputunlumeminusauthansedcnasumptian(1056%S,394,5ti,00t1001%4,069,307,067845%5,029,533,2281071%galsTotalApparentLouses226%1,062,369,523197%1,063,431,734221%1,006,723,469214%gals5,393,388,660TotalRealLosses831%4,332,211,485t04%3,005,875,333624%4,022,009,751857%gals19,742,040,78025,905,429,448UnavoidableRealLosses,inMGI324%3,9U2,260270%4,007,127304%4,054,298315%MGI1i*iàààftñisi1saä?R%iciIlossvaleme(divby365jdividedbyunavodable________________________________________________RetailPnceotWater$412$440$453Costpsr8,000galCostofApparentLosses$4,376,962$4,667,768$4,560,457VanableProducbnnCostotWater*$033$039$041Costper1,060galCostofRealLosses$1,429,630$1,173,296$1,662,145TotalCostImpactofApparentandRealLosses$5,806,592$5,841,663$6,222,602SAVINGSFROMREDUCINGILlFROMFYUULEVELRealWateFLossatFY08ILl4,742,031,9654,771,643,31t4,827,814,033CUmUlativesavingsActaalrealmaterloss4,332,211,4U53,005,875,3334,622,809,751SaVngsingal409,828,4881,765,767,985ets,0t4,2t2####It#######galSaVngslnAF1,257.695418.9429692,47t9,836AFSavngsin$$135,240.76$688,649.51$33t,t51.76llUllllUOtlltllUUllTWDBreliabilityassessmentscore696967.55yearsuersgeWsserlosslPCl1727130315761617wstrlosspercentagewithoutwholesaleSysarsvnrsge‘1loss1011% AppendixIAustinWaterNeedsEstimatesLaurenRoss,PhD.,P.E. Appendix:AustinWaterNeedsEstimatesTheAustinWaterResourcesTaskForceundertookanefforttoestimateAustin’swaterneedsbasedonavailablehistoricalwateruse,population,andlandusedata.OurvolunteereffortsfallshortofthedetailedwaterneedsmodelthatwouldbepartoftherecommendedIntegratedWaterPlan.Despitetheirlackofdetail,however,ourmethodsandresultsprovideusefulinformationregardingAustin’shistoricalwateruseindisaggregatedcategoriesandwheretherearepotentialfordemandreductions.Theyarealsoillustrativeoftheusefulnessofsuchananalysisandforthatreasonweareincludingtheminthisappendix.InformationSourcesWaterneedsresultspresentedinthisappendixarebasedoninformationfromthefollowingthreesources.AustinWaterUtilityDataTheAustinWaterUtilityprovidedwateruseinformationindisaggregatedcategoriesforresidential[single-family),multifamily,commercial,wholesaleandAustin’ssixlargestcustomers:Samsung,Freescale,UniversityofTexas,Spansion,Hospira,andNovati.Datawasprovidedforfiscalyears2011and2013.EachfiscalyearbeginsonOctober1andextendsthroughSeptember30.Thisdataisincludedintheprecedingappendix.Waterconsumptiondataforresidential,multifamily,commercialandwholesaleusesweredisaggregatedintooutdoorandindooruses.Thisdisaggregationisbasedonwaterusedifferencesbetweenlow(winter)monthsandothermonthswhenlandscapeirrigationismorecommon.Thisdisaggregationprocessproducesinaccurateestimates.Utilitycustomerirrigationmetersshowsomeirrigationoccursineverymonth.Thisinformationis,however,thecurrentlybestavailableandwasusedinthisanalysis.’AustinWaterUtilityalsoprovidedinformationregardingthenumberofpeopleservedinthreeofitscustomerclasses.ThisinformationispresentedinTable1.1Basedonconversationswithwaterutilitystaff. Table1AustinWaterUtilityCustomerPopulationFiscalYearFiscalYearCustomerClass20112013Single-Family503,463523,798Multi-Family336,996350,608Wholesale51,53853,620Total891,997928,026AustinGeographicalInformationSystemDataTheCityofAustinmakesGISdataavailabletothepublic.GISdataincludeinformationontheWaterUtilityservicearea,onlanduse,andonimperviousarea:buildingsandtransportation.TheseGISdatawereusedtocalculateperviousandimperviousareasbylanduseclasswithintheutilityservicearea.Table1summarizesthesedata.Table2.LandUsewithinAustinWaterUtilityServiceAreaPerviousBuildingTransportationTotalAreaLandUse(acres)(acres)(acres)(acres)Single-Family49,7419,68969060,119Multi-Family6,1871,9802,00010,167Commercial5,2891,3743,2459,908Industrial8,9471,3242,54912,820Civic8,5229981,43410,954Other227,0881,80919,334248,232Totalarea305,77317,17429,253352,200Figure1showsthelandusewithintheAustinWaterUtilityboundary.Figure2isamapshowingimperviousareasurroundingtheWallerCreekCenterat625East10thStreet.Thesizeofperviousareasforlandusesassociatedwitheachcustomerclasswereusedtocalculateoutdoorwaterdemands.EvapotranspirationDataTheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService2maintainspotentialevapotranspirationdatabasedonweatherstationsaroundthestate.Thesedataareusedtoestimateirrigationdemandsforawiderangeofvegetation,includingturfandlandscapeplants.Theperiodsofrecord2http://texaset.tamu.edu/. UondUseKey——.lobiiehome—LargelotsnrgIefamiIy———InduStrlI—cLan—Openspoon———UndewIspndruralW..®E25510Figure1.LandUsewithinCityofAustinWaterUtilityWaterandWastewaterFeeBoundaryJune14.2014 ImperviousAreasImperviousTransportationAreasImperviousBuildingAreasFigure2.ImperviousAreasUsedtoIdentifyNetAreaforLandscapeIrrigationJune14,2014 IndoorWaterUseforEfficientandMaintainedResidentialPlumbingInformationwasobtainedfromfivedifferentsourcesregardingthedailywateruseforhouseholdsusingefficientandwell-maintainedresidentialplumbing.Dailywaterusevaluesrangedfrom36.5to52.6gallonsperpersonperday.DatafromthesesourcesischartedinFigure4.forpotentialevapotranspirationstationsacrossTexasarevaried.AtimeseriesofdailypotentialevapotranspirationwascompiledfromfourCentralTexasStations:Georgetown;Austin;AustinMorrison;andSanAntonioNorth.Fordayswithoutdatafromanyofthesestations,potentialevapotranspirationdatawascalculatedusingtheHargreavesequation.Irrigationdemandswerecalculatedusingawarmseasonturffactor(0.6]andahighstressqualityfactor(0.4).Figure3showsestimatedannuallandscapewaterdemandsforeachyearfrom2008through2013,alongwiththetotalrainfallamountsineachyear.Figure3.EstimatedAnnualLandscapeWaterDemand37403530250)20WaterDemand—Rain15105341,8001,6001,4001,2001,00035281,5521427(0a)I..UCoLI,0(0LI,a)0)za)0.(0U(I,CCo-J0)toIa)>800600-400200200820092010201120124822013 Figure4.IndoorWaterUseEstimatesforEfficientandMaintainedPlumbing60>.3::c100r0EastBayofMunicipalUtilityDistrict,CaliforniaAnalysisTheinformationdescribedabovewasusedtocalculateindoorandoutdoorwateruseperpersonperdayforresidential,multi-family,andwholesalecustomers.Anestimatedneedwasalsocalculatedforindoorresidentialusebasedon45gallonsperpersonperday.Thisvalueislowerthanhistoricaluse,butwellwithintherangeofachievableindoorwaterefficiencies.Figure5compareshistoricaldailyuseinfiscalyears2011and2013,intermsofgallonsperpersonperday,totheestimatedindoorneed.Thischartshowsthatwateruseforallresidentialcustomerclassesexceedsthestandardforefficientindoorplumbing.Theestimatedneedforoutdoorwaterusewasbasedon400gallonsperacreperdayforperviousareasineachofthecorrespondinglanduseclasses.Thisvalueisapproximatelyone-thirdofaveragelandscapeirrigationdemandvaluesforyears2008through2012shownonFigure3.Theyear2013waswetterthanusualandoutdoordemandswerecorrespondinglower.AmericanWaterWorksAssociationUtahDivisionWaterResourcesAquacraft,Sustainablelnc.caseFocusforstudy,p.37Adelaide,AustraliaModelValue Figure5.HistoricUseandEstimatedNeedforIndoorResidentialWater•FiscalYear2011(gallons/person/day)•FiscalYear2013_______________(gallons/person/day)•ModelAssumptions(gallons/person/day)—1—--_______________—---—--——-ResidentialIndoorMultifamilyIndoorWholesaleIndoor140120-100I‘I595945Outdoorwaterdemandforeachcustomerclasswascalculatedbymultiplying400gallonsperacreperdaybythenumberofperviousacresinlanduseareasassociatedwiththatcustomerclassinTable2.Waterdemandinfiscalyears2011and2013arecomparedtotheestimatedwaterneedinTable3andinFigure6.Thedatashowthatwaterdemandsinfiscalyear2013were12,630acre-feethigherthanthiscalculationoftheneededwateramount,includingsomelandscapeirrigation.Mostofthiswatersavingswouldbeachievedbyreducingresidentialandmulti-familyindoorwateruse. Table3.AComparisonofFiscalYears2011and2013WaterDemandwithanEstimatedWaterNeedbyCustomerClassClassFiscalYear2011FiscalYear2013EstimatedNeedResidentialIndoor33,27534,61926,405ResidentialOutdoor28,35314,66122,288MultifamilyIndoor23,27021,91317,674MultifamilyOutdoor5,8195,7112,772CommercialIndoor20,53821,956CommercialOutdoor17,89511,0226,379WholesaleIndoor6,8366,7442,703WholesaleOutdoor3,9502,3232,323SixLargeCustomers9,2549,463CivicOutdoor-3,819TotalCustomerDemand149,191128,411115,78140,000Figure6.Austin’sHistoricalWaterUseandEstimatedNeedbyCustomerClassLi0anU,IJSci:35,00030,00025,00020,00015,00010,0005,000-liii’-IIIF”I.JEh2iJ•FiscalYear2011•FiscalYear2013•EstimatedNeed‘e\oo’_o0—‘-

June 19, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force June 19, 2014 – 3:30 p.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – June 19, 2014, 3:30 p.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the June 16, 2014 Task Force meeting D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Consider and approve recommendations and wording for report to City Council on water resources Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting June 19, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force and Working Group Goals including discussion of prioritizing short term supply side and demand side drought response options and recommendations F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS 1. As needed, staff briefing on any Task Force requests related to prioritizing options or Task Force development of recommendations G. REPORTS BY TASK FORCE 1. Working Group Updates 1) Evaluate City’s Water Needs 2) Examine Future Water Sources 3) Evaluate Potential Water Management Scenarios H. NON VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS None I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS J. ADJOURN

June 16, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force June 16, 2014 – 6:00 p.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – June 16, 2014, 6:00 p.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the June 11, 2014 Task Force meeting D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Consider and approve recommendations and wording for report to City Council on water resources Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting June 16, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force and Working Group Goals including discussion of prioritizing short term supply side and demand side drought response options and recommendations F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS 1. As needed, staff briefing on any Task Force requests related to prioritizing options or Task Force development of recommendations G. REPORTS BY TASK FORCE 1. Working Group Updates 1) Evaluate City’s Water Needs 2) Examine Future Water Sources 3) Evaluate Potential Water Management Scenarios H. NON VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS None I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS J. ADJOURN

June 11, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force June 11, 2014 – 2:00 p.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – June 11, 2014, 2:00 p.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the June 10, 2014 Task Force meeting. D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE None E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force and Working Group Goals including discussion of prioritizing short term supply side and demand side drought response options and recommendations Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting June 11, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS None G. REPORTS BY TASK FORCE 1. Working Group Updates 1) Evaluate City’s Water Needs 2) Examine Future Water Sources 3) Evaluate Potential Water Management Scenarios H. NON VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS None I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS J. ADJOURN

June 10, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force June 10, 2014 – 3:30 p.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – June 10, 2014, 3:30 p.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the June 2, 2014 Task Force meeting. D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE None E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force and Working Group Goals including discussion of prioritizing short term supply side and demand side drought response options and recommendations Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting June 10, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS 1. Groundwater resources and regulation briefing - James Beach, LBG-Guyton 2. Environmental and local community impacts in areas of groundwater pumping - Steve Box, Environmental Stewardship 3. Written comments from Watershed Protection Department (WPD) regarding review of supply side options presented earlier by Austin Water - WPD staff available for questions and discussion 4. Written Report from Watershed Protection Department on stormwater management options in upcoming proposed Watershed Protection Ordinance (WPO) revisions – WPD staff available for questions and discussion G. REPORTS BY TASK …

June 2, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force June 2, 2014 – 3:30 p.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – June 2, 2014, 3:30 p.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the May 29, 2014 Task Force meeting. D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Extension Request to Council E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Working Group Goals Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting June 2, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS None G. REPORTS BY TASK FORCE 1. Working Group Updates H. NON VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS None I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS J. ADJOURN

May 29, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force May 29, 2014 – 6:00 p.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – May 29, 2014, 6:00 p.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the May 27, 2014 Task Force meeting. D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Meeting Schedule Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting May 29, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force Goals and Work Plan including discussion of prioritizing development of drought response recommendations F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS 1. As needed, staff briefing on Task Force requests from May 27, 2014 discussion on Task Force Goals and Work Plan including prioritizing development of drought response recommendations G. REPORTS BY TASK FORCE 1. Working Group Updates H. NON VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS None I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS J. ADJOURN

May 29, 2014

Approved Minutes — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Meeting Minutes Approved June 2, 2014 The Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force convened in a regular meeting on May 29, 2014 at Waller Creek Center, 625 East 10th Street, Room 104, in Austin, Texas. Members in Attendance: Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry(arrived 7:05pm) Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker (Absent) Staff in Attendance: Greg Meszaros, Daryl Slusher, Teresa Lutes, Drema Gross, Richard Hoffpauir, Kristi Fenton, Geneva Guerrero, Danielle Martin, Dave Juarez, Ross Crow, Rick Coronado, Jeff Fox, Joe Smith, Jane Burazer, Chris Chen, Bart Jennings, David Green, Denise Avery, and Felicia Cancino Additional Attendees: Pix Howell, Cathy Howell, Malcolm Harris, Bill Bunch, Dick Kallerman, Brandi Clark Bunton, Tina Cannon A. CALL TO ORDER Chair Leurig called the meeting to order at 6:10pm. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Pix Howell, Malcolm Harris, Bill Bunch, Dick Kallerman, and Brandi Clark Bunton spoke during citizen communication providing their suggestions to the Task Force. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The meeting minutes for the May 27, 2014 Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force regular meeting were approved on Member Smith’s motion and Member Metzger’s second on a 6-0-3-2 vote with Members Perales, Smith and Leurig abstaining, Member Castleberry not present to vote and Member Walker absent. D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Meeting Schedule Members voted on the following meeting dates: Monday, June 2, 2014 @ 3:30pm Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 3:30pm Monday, June 16, 2014 @ 6:00pm Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting May 29, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 Thursday, June 19, 2014 @ 3:30pm E. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force Goals and Work Plan including discussion of prioritizing development of drought response recommendations Members discussed their goals and work plan. F. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS There were no reports or briefings to present; however, staff …

May 27, 2014

Agenda — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force May 27, 2014 – 6:00 p.m. Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 East 10th Street Austin, Texas For more information go to: Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force AGENDA Sharlene Leurig, Chair Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster Brian Smith Jennifer Walker A. CALL TO ORDER – May 27, 2014, 6:00 p.m. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 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, but related to the charge of the task force, with up to 3 citizens donating their time to one individual. Citizens donating their time must be in the room at the time the speaker is at the podium and must have been in the first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Approval of the meeting minutes from the May 19, 2014 Task Force meeting. D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Assign Members to Working Groups 2. Meeting Schedule Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting May 27, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 E. STAFF BRIEFINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND OR REPORTS 1. Presentation on Water Availability Model (WAM)/Conditional Reliability Mode (CRM) – decision support tool overview F. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR TASK FORCE’S REVIEW 1. Discussion of Task Force Goals and Work Plan including discussion of prioritizing development of drought response recommendations G. REPORTS BY TASK FORCE H. NON VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS None I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS J. ADJOURN

May 27, 2014

Approved Minutes — original pdf

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Meeting Minutes Approved May 29, 2014 The Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force convened in a regular meeting on May 27, 2014 at Waller Creek Center, 625 East 10th Street, Room 104, in Austin, Texas. Members in Attendance: Sharlene Leurig, Chair (Absent) Tom Mason, Vice Chair Kris Bailey Christianne Castleberry Luke Metzger Marisa Perales (Absent) Paul Robbins Lauren Ross Stefan Schuster (Absent) Brian Smith Jennifer Walker(arrived 6:49pm) Staff in Attendance: Greg Meszaros, Daryl Slusher, Teresa Lutes, Drema Gross, Sonja Stefaniw, Dan Strub, Geneva Guerrero, Jeff Fox, Jane Burazer, Heather Dalrymple, Adam Smith, Rick Coronado, Dan Pedersen, Chris Chen, David Green, Joe Smith, Jean Drew, Denise Avery, and Felicia Cancino Additional Attendees: Roger Baker, Jordan Furnans, Mary Sahs, Richard Hoffpauir, James Beach, Bill Bunch, Izzy Hauss, Joshua Grimes A. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Mason called the meeting to order at 6:04pm. B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Roger Baker spoke for three minutes during citizen communication providing his suggestions to the Task Force. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The meeting minutes for the May 19, 2014 Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force regular meeting were approved on Member Ross’ motion and Member Castleberry’s second on a 7-0-0-4 vote with Members Perales and Smith absent and Member Walker not present to vote. D. VOTING ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE 1. Assign Members to Working Groups Vice Chair Mason suggested that they assign members to the same Working Groups as mentioned at the last meeting. 1) Evaluate City’s Water Needs – Members Robbins, Ross, Bailey 2) Examine Future Water Sources – Members Mason, Schuster, Robbins, Smith Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force Regular Meeting May 27, 2014 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 at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Cancino at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711 Page 2 of 2 3) Evaluate Potential Water Management Scenarios – Members Castleberry, Schuster, Walker, Perales 2. Meeting Schedule – Vice Chair Mason suggested, with no objection, to vote on the schedule at the next meeting since the Chair and other members were absent. He also suggested that …