Final Recommendation Report

Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force – June 25, 2014

Final Recommendation Report — original pdf

Backup

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

MEMORANDUMTo:MayorandCouncilFrom:GregMeszaros,Director,AustinWaterDate:July10,2014Subject:AustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForceRecommendations,RevisedReportAttachedisarevisedreportfromtheAustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForce.ThereportisthesameastheonethatwasdistributedtoyouearlierthisweekexceptfortheadditionofthepageinbetweenthecoverpageandtableofcontentsthatincludesthelistoftheTaskForcemembers.cc:MarcA.Ott,CityManagerRobertGoode,P.E.,AssistantCityManagerAustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForceAustinWaterResourcePlanningTaskForceReporttoCityCouncilJuly2014(CouncilResolutionNo.20140410-033)AUSTINWATERRESOURCEPLANNINGTASKFORCEMemberAppointedlElectedByStefanSchusterMayorLeffingwellPaulRobbinsMayorProTernColeLaurenRossCouncilMemberMorrisonSharleneLeurig—ChairCouncilMemberRileyJenniferWalkerCouncilMemberTovoTomMason—ViceChairCouncilMemberSpelmanMarisaPeralesCouncilMemberMartinezBrianSmithEnvironmentalBoardLukeMetzgerResourceManagementCommissionKrisBaileyJointCommitteeonAWUFinancialPlanChristianneCastleberryWaterandWastewaterCommissionTABLEOFCONTENTSPageEXECUTIVESUMMARY2CHAPTERI—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.Page2of2lI.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.Page3of21II.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.Page5of21Theutility’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.Page6of21proposedIntegratedWaterPlanwouldfillthisgapinAustin’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.ThisiscriticaltoensurethatAustinWaterPage8of21doesnotoverbuildassetstosatisfywaterdemandthatisnotsupportedwithevidence.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/.Page9of211.2AdditionalFocus•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.Page11of21Despitetheimportancethiscommunityplacesonsustainabilityandwaterefficiency,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.Page12of2l3.0WaterConservationandSupplyRecommendationsTheTaskForcebelievesthatAustinfacesimmediateandlong-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.ThisgraywateroutdoorwateringoptionwouldPage13of21helptopreservelandscapesandtheurbantreecanopy.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.Page14of213.2Short-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.Page15of21Nevertheless,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.TheCityofAustinisinapositiontoincreaseflowatBartonSpringsduringdroughtwhenlowflowanddecreasedwaterPage16of21qualitythreatentheendangeredsalamandersatthesprings.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.”ThiswillPage18of21requireclear,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,moreefficientuseofwaterPage19of21supplies,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.Page20of21Wecanencourageinvestmentinthisdistributedwaterinfrastructurethroughcodeandordinancerevisions,creditstotapfeesandratestructurerevisiontoreflecttheeconomicbenefitofthewaterservicesprovidedbyprivatepropertyowners.Forexample,AustinWaterUtilitycouldadjustitsconnectionfeestoreflectthetruecostofserviceforlargecommercialcustomerswhoprovidetheirownwatersupplythroughonsitecaptureand/ortreatment.Page21of21AppendixAWaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteria-DemandAppendixBWaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteria-SupplyAppendixCWaterSupplyProjectDescriptionsWaterSupplyProjectsDescriptionsDEMANDMANAGEMENTSTRATEGIESOptimizeExistingSuppliesviaEfficiency&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/CPage1of9systemsforbeneficialreuseindoors(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.Page2of9Hotwaterondemandincentives—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.Page3of9Graywateruseprograms/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.ThiseducationwouldinvolveaconsistentpublicmessageabouttheneedandurgencytomeetPage4of9theCity’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.Page5of9SARDischargeRelocationaboveAustinGauge—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.ItisanticipatedthatsignificantchangesmaybePage6of9forthcoming,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.Page7of9NewGroundwaterSuppliesBlueWaterSystems(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.Page8of9Reclaimedwaterbankinfiltration—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.Page9of9Appendix0Definitions-WaterSupplyProjectEvaluationCriteriaDefinitions-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—COADroughtResponseDecisionMatrixRecommendedScoringSystemforCOADroughtResponseDecisionMatrix-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-TobeCompletedAppendixFModelingDroughtResponseStrategiesRichardHoffpauir,PhD.,P.E.—June25,2014ModelingDroughtResponseStrategiesAustinWaterResourcesPlanningTaskForceJune25,2014RichardHoffpauir,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,estimatessubjecttochangeTier1StrategiesKeyModelingModelStrategyDescriptionAssumptionImplementationOperatingrangeofLakeWalterE.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,July2015BaselineModelingAssumptions(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(iojResultsforSimulationswithRepeatof2011-2013StreamFlow(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’r4TimeSpentatVariousCombinedStorageLevelsBaselineTier1Tier2Tier3StorageNumberofMonthsAtorAbv.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-yNResultsforSimulationswith70%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‘.4TimeSpentatVariousCombinedStorageLevelsAWRPTFTierStrategySetBaselineTierlTier2Tier3StorageNumberofMonthsAtorAbv.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>1Observations•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—WatershedProtectionDepartmentLakeAustinDrawdownSummaryPreparedbyChrisHerrington,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—AustinWaterUtilityWaterUseModelingRequestwithRevisedPopulationEstimatesDisaggregatedWaterUseCategoriesResidentialIndoor: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:SeeattachedWaterLossSummaryUseFactorsNumberofconnectionsResidential—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—79.92004—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.LandUsewithinCityofAustinWaterUtilityWaterandWastewaterFeeBoundaryJune14.2014ImperviousAreasImperviousTransportationAreasImperviousBuildingAreasFigure2.ImperviousAreasUsedtoIdentifyNetAreaforLandscapeIrrigationJune14,2014IndoorWaterUseforEfficientandMaintainedResidentialPlumbingInformationwasobtainedfromfivedifferentsourcesregardingthedailywateruseforhouseholdsusingefficientandwell-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)>800600-400200200820092010201120124822013Figure4.IndoorWaterUseEstimatesforEfficientandMaintainedPlumbing60>.3::c100r0EastBayofMunicipalUtilityDistrict,CaliforniaAnalysisTheinformationdescribedabovewasusedtocalculateindoorandoutdoorwateruseperpersonperdayforresidential,multi-family,andwholesalecustomers.Anestimatedneedwasalsocalculatedforindoorresidentialusebasedon45gallonsperpersonperday.Thisvalueislowerthanhistoricaluse,butwellwithintherangeofachievableindoorwaterefficiencies.Figure5compareshistoricaldailyuseinfiscalyears2011and2013,intermsofgallonsperpersonperday,totheestimatedindoorneed.Thischartshowsthatwateruseforallresidentialcustomerclassesexceedsthestandardforefficientindoorplumbing.Theestimatedneedforoutdoorwaterusewasbasedon400gallonsperacreperdayforperviousareasineachofthecorrespondinglanduseclasses.Thisvalueisapproximatelyone-thirdofaveragelandscapeirrigationdemandvaluesforyears2008through2012shownonFigure3.Theyear2013waswetterthanusualandoutdoordemandswerecorrespondinglower.AmericanWaterWorksAssociationUtahDivisionWaterResourcesAquacraft,Sustainablelnc.caseFocusforstudy,p.37Adelaide,AustraliaModelValueFigure5.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—‘-