Item 7- RCA: Austin Water GoPurple Pilot Reauthorization — original pdf

Backup

..De Posting Language ..Title Approve a resolution authorizing Austin Water to continue the GoPurple pilot program and issue incentives on a pilot basis during Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for alternative onsite water reuse systems and reclaimed water connections for new commercial, mixed use, and multi-family developments in the total aggregate amount of $4,000,000, with a reimbursement amount not to exceed $500,000 per project. Lead Department Austin Water. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $4,000,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Prior Council Action: November 29, 2018 –Council approved the Water Forward Plan on a 10-0 vote. December 11, 2019 –Council voted to approve a Land Development Code revision directing Austin Water to establish regulatory incentive programs for Onsite Water Reuse Systems (OWRS) on first reading, on a 7-4 vote. February 13, 2020 –Council voted to approve a Land Development Code revision directing Austin Water to establish a regulatory program and an incentive program for OWRS on second reading, on a 7-4 vote. December 10, 2020 –Council approved an ordinance adopting City Code Chapter 15-13 (Regulation of Onsite Water Reuse Systems) relating to treatment, monitoring and reporting regulations for OWRS, on a 10- 0 vote. April 22, 2021 –Council voted to initially approve the OWRS Pilot Incentive Program for Fiscal Year 2021- 2022 for the installation of alternative OWRS up to a total aggregate amount of $1,000,000, not to exceed $500,000 for each project, on a 10-1 vote. September 30, 2021 – City Council voted to reauthorize the OWRS Pilot Incentive Program for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 for the installation of alternative OWRS up to a total aggregate amount of $1,000,000, not to exceed $500,000 for each project, on a 10-1 vote. September 29, 2022 – City Council voted to reauthorize the OWRS Pilot Incentive Program for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for the installation of alternative OWRS up to a total aggregate amount of $1,000,000, not to exceed $500,000 for each project, on a 10-1 vote. March 7, 2024 – City Council voted to reauthorize the OWRS Pilot Incentive Program and reclaimed water connections for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the installation of alternative OWRS up to a total aggregate amount of $5,600,000, not to exceed $500,000 for each project, on a 11-0 vote. For More Information: Inquiries should be directed to Heather Cooke, Chief Administrative Officer, at 512-972-0083 or heather.cooke@austintexas.gov. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: September 11, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. September 17, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: This action is a continuation of Austin Water’s “GoPurple Program” authorized by Council on March 7, 2024 to accelerate the expansion of Austin’s centralized reclaimed system and onsite reuse. These are essential strategies in Austin’s Water Forward plan to meet long-range needs for a secure and sustainable water future. The requested authorization will allow Austin Water (AW) to continue to administer the Pilot Incentive Program for onsite water reuse systems and reclaimed water system connections, without additional Council approval and to issue reservations of incentives to commercial, mixed use, and multi-family customers during Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the installation of alternative onsite water reuse systems and reclaimed water system connections up to a total aggregate amount of $4,000,000 and not to exceed $500,000 for each project. The incentives will be paid out over multiple years if projects can meet program guidelines and deadlines for the design, construction, and operation of the onsite water reuse systems or connection to the City’s reclaimed water system. On April 22, 2021, Council authorized the initial Pilot Incentive Program for onsite water reuse systems for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and it reauthorized the program annually through Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The purpose of this enhanced incentive program is to help promote affordable development and gather additional information on the design, engineering, installation, operation, maintenance, cost, permitting, and application of the regulatory guidance needed for the successful implementation of these onsite systems and reclaimed water system connections. As per current practice, AW staff will continue to provide the requested quarterly reports to the Resource Management Commission summarizing AW’s water conservation, rebate, and other incentive programs, including incentives for the installation of alternative water reuse systems for large new commercial, mixed use and multi-family development under this program. For all projects for which the incentive amount will exceed $72,000, the reports will also include measures installed, expected savings, potable water offsets, and other relevant data.