Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission March 12, 2025 — 4:00 pm Austin Water Headquarters Waller Creek Center 625 East 10th Street, Austin Texas Some members may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: http://www.austintexas.gov/wwc Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, call or email the board liaison Heather Cooke at 512-972-0083 or Heather.Cooke@austintexas.gov . To register to speak in person, people must sign up at least ten minutes before the meeting is called to order. Mike Reyes, (District 4) Vacant (District 5) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Judy Musgrove (District 7) Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Vice Chair (District 8) Marcela Tuñón Sion (District 9) Susan Turrieta, Chair (District 10) Commissioners: William Moriarty (Mayor) Jesse Penn (District 1) Alex Navarro (District 2) Amanda Marzullo (District 3) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION 1. Approval of minutes from the February 19, 2025 regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. 2. Recommend approval of an ordinance repealing and replacing City Code Chapter 15-1 (Cross-Connection Regulations) to address changes to the nationally recognized plumbing codes, current Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations and the expanded use of alternate water sources. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. 3. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for brush clearing on water quality protection lands managed by Austin Water for Austin Water with Summitt Forests, Inc., for an initial term of three years with up to two one-year extension options, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,750,000. Funding: $175,000 is available in Austin Water’s Operating Budget. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Heather Cooke at Austin Water, 512-972-0083 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a regular called meeting on February 19, 2025 at Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Turrieta called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 4:02 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Chair Susan Turrieta, Vice Chair Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Judy Musgrove (remote), Mike Reyes, Marcela Tuñón Sion, Amanda Marzullo (remote), Alex Navarro, William Moriarty, Jesse Penn Commission Members Absent: Shwetha Pandurangi PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no registered public speakers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the January 15, 2025, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Moriarty’s motion and Commissioner Maxwell-Gaines’ second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner Pandurangi absent and Commissioner Marzullo off the dais. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the 2020 Bond Substandard Streets Ross Road North with DeNucci Constructors, LLC, in the amount of $29,650,594.00 plus a $2,965,059.40 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $32,615,653.40. Funding in the amount of $29,669,890.33 is available in the Capital Budget of the Transportation and Public Works Department and Funding in the amount of $2,945,763.07 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Recommended on Commissioner Tuñón Sion’s motion and Commissioner Reyes’ second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner Pandurangi absent and Commissioner Marzullo off the dais. 3. Recommend approval of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 15-9 (Utility Service Regulations) to authorize wastewater billing methodology for customers with onsite water reuse systems and customers with evaporative loss from cooling towers. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. Recommended on Commissioner Maxwell-Gaines’ motion and Commissioner Moriarty’s second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioner Pandurangi absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on proposed ordinance amending City Code Chapter 15-9 (Utility Service Regulations) to authorize an alternative wastewater billing methodology for customers with onsite water reuse systems and customers with evaporative loss from cooling towers. Supervising Engineer Katherine Jashinski provided a briefing and answered questions from Commissioners 5. Staff briefing on My ATX Water program implementation update. Assistant Director Randi Jenkins provided a briefing and answered questions from Commissioners COMMITTEE UPDATES 6. Update from the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force meeting regarding Water Forward Plan implementation – Commissioner William Moriarty provided an update 7. Update …
..Body Item 10 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for engineering services for the Country Club Creek Wastewater Improvements Project, for Austin Water and the Watershed Protection Department, with HDR Engineering, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $3,200,000. Funding: $2,144,000 is available in Austin Water’s Capital Budget. $1,056,000 is available in Watershed Protection Department’s Capital Budget. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Qualifications RFQS 6100 CLMP378 for these services. The solicitation was issued on October 21, 2024, and closed on December 3, 2024. Of the five responses received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated response. A complete solicitation package, including a log of responses received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=140884. MBE / WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 10.09% MBE and 3.73% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Water’s wastewater collection system is fundamental for the conveyance of wastewater to Austin Water’s wastewater treatment plants. Austin Water’s wastewater collection system is a large and complex system, consisting of approximately 3,000 miles of wastewater mains and serves approximately one million customers. Due to deterioration from the harsh conditions of the wastewater environment, wastewater collection system assets require ongoing repair and replacement in order to prevent sanitary sewer overflows . The Country Club Creek Wastewater Improvements Project will provide replacement, relocation, and enhancement of wastewater and water infrastructure. In addition, this project will include erosion repair, stormwater control measures, adding two public trails, and stream restoration in Country Club Creek. The wastewater portion of the project includes the replacement of approximately 5,000 linear feet of existing 8-inch to 24-inch gravity wastewater pipe from Metcalfe Road to South Pleasant Valley Road with a new 18- inch to 30-inch diameter pipe. The water line portion of the project is to replace approximately 1,000 linear feet of an existing 6-inch water main that crosses Country Club Creek along Metcalfe Road and install a new 12-inch line along Metcalfe. …
..De Item 2 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: April 10, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of an ordinance repealing and replacing City Code Chapter 15-1 (Cross-Connection Regulations) to address changes to the nationally recognized plumbing codes, current Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations and the expanded use of alternate water sources. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. Lead Department Austin Water. Prior Council Action: January 8, 2004 – Council approved an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 15-1 of the City Code relating to cross-connection regulations. June 8, 2006 – Council approved an ordinance amending the definitions in Chapter 15-1 of the City Code relating to cross-connection regulations. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 – to be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Water’s Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention Program administers City, state, and federal regulations to protect public health and safety. This program works to prevent cross-connections by ensuring safeguards to protect the public drinking water system from contamination hazards. Cross-connections between Austin Water’s system and alternative water systems must also be prevented to protect water quality. Regulations apply to all sites with alternative water systems, contaminants and pollutants to ensure appropriate backflow protections are in place. Backflow events occur when water flow is reversed, and non-potable water or other substances enter the drinking water system through back pressure. Austin Water ensures that backflow prevention devices are installed and maintained, which includes minimum requirements for backflow prevention assembly (BPA) installation, testing, maintenance, and reporting. This backflow prevention and cross-connection ordinance was last updated by Council in 2006, with most updates occurring in 2004. The proposed updates address properties’ increased use of alternate water systems as well as regulatory changes that EPA and TCEQ have made. Additionally, the City’s Development Services Department has requested that all plumbing code requirements for cross-connection control and backflow prevention be moved into Chapter 15-1 instead of Chapter 25-12, where the City’s Plumbing Code and local amendments are codified. The Affordability Impact Statement confirms there are no additional anticipated costs to housing and provides neutral impacts for development costs. Proposed Changes to Chapter 15-1 Attorney Client Work Product Subject to Additional Changes ORDINANCE NO. ____________ AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 15-1 (CROSS- CONNECTION REGULATIONS). BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. City Code Chapter …
..Body Item 3 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for brush clearing on water quality protection lands managed by Austin Water for Austin Water with Summitt Forests, Inc., for an initial term of three years with up to two one-year extension options, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,750,000. Funding: $175,000 is available in Austin Water’s Operating Budget. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Water. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 2200 SAR1006 for these services. The solicitation was issued on September 23, 2024, and closed on October 15, 2024. Of the six offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the lowest responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=140797 . MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide juniper cutting services, brush cutting for fire line installation, and piling and removal of woody debris at Austin’s Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) that are required to meet the goals of restoring these selected lands to grassland and savanna ecosystems. This service will help to yield optimal water quantity and quality to recharge the Edwards Aquifer and provide sustained flow to Barton Springs, which are the primary goals of the WQPL program. This program was initiated in 1998, when Austinites voted to purchase land and conservation easements to protect the water quality and quantity in the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. The current land management plan that directs these practices and goals was approved by Council on January 26, 2023, Resolution 20230126-004. This contract is replacing a contract that expired May 23, 2024. The recommended contractor was the previous provider for these services. If the contract is not secured, the City will not be able to meet the goals of the WQPL …
Item 4 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 ..Title Posting Language Recommend approval to authorize a contract for wastewater flow monitoring for Austin Water with RJN Group, Inc., for an initial term of four years with up to four one-year extension options for a total amount not to exceed $18,400,000. Funding: $2,300,000 is available in Austin Water’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Water. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Proposals solicitation RFP 2200 MLJ3005 for these services. The solicitation was issued on October 7, 2024, and closed on October 31, 2024. Of the three offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bid received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm? sid=141396 . MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the wastewater flow monitoring services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025- To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide wastewater flow monitoring services for over 2,800 miles of wastewater collection system piping throughout the city. Several Austin Water divisions will use different types of meters to obtain flow monitoring data to determine inflow and infiltration, serve as a warning tool for wastewater overflows, and ensure pipes and facilities are the appropriate size to safely convey wastewater from customers to treatment facilities. Data will be collected during wet and dry weather conditions to ensure that the wastewater systems have adequate capacity to convey all the wastewater in the City’s wastewater piping system. Austin Water uses the data to identify areas of concern, develop plans to provide adequate capacity, and prioritize capital improvement projects. This contract will replace a contract which expires December 20, 2025. The recommended contractor is the current provider of these services. The requested authorization amounts were determined using departmental estimates based on historical spending. Item 4 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 An evaluation team with expertise in this …
..Body Item 5 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the Boggy Creek Lift Station Force Main Extension with Cash Construction Co Inc, in the amount of $ 15,063,376 plus a $ 1,506,338 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $ 16,569,714. Funding: $ 16,569,714 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids IFB 6100 CLMC1078 for these services. The solicitation was issued on November 11, 2024, and closed on December 19, 2024. Of the five offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the lowest responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=141675. MBE / WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) through the achievements of Good Faith Efforts with 0.00% MBE and 0.08% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater. Additional Backup Information: The Boggy Creek Lift Station Force Main Extension to the Govalle tunnel will consist of three different portions of construction: the replacement of 1,700 linear feet of existing 36-inch concrete-steel-cylinder force main located in the Govalle plant property; new construction of 1,900 linear feet of force main crossing under the Colorado River using horizontal directional drilling; and 5,700 linear feet of new High-density polyethylene (HDPE) force main from Hergotz Lane to the Lockheed shaft. The overall project length is 9,300 linear feet of 36-inch HDPE pipe. This project will abandon and replace the existing siphons under the Colorado River that are in poor condition. The construction of this force main will allow the abandonment of two siphons and the South Austin Regional Transfer Lift Station, located on the southern bank of the Colorado River and has a history of maintenance issues. During peak wet weather events, the current capacity of the existing downstream Boggy Creek Lift Station cannot adequately convey wastewater flows, causing multiple sanitary overflows into the Govalle Wastewater Treatment Plant site and the collection system upstream of the lift station. The project will reduce the possibility …
..Body Item 6 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the Davis WTP Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Improvements with Prime Controls, L.P., in the amount of $8,986,951 plus a $898,695 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $9,885,646. Funding: $9,885,646 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids IFB 6100 CLMC1082 for these services. The solicitation was issued on November 11, 2024, and closed on December 19, 2024. The recommended contractor submitted the only responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bid received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at 140369. https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=141719. MBE / WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 4.36% MBE and 0.38% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The City of Austin utilizes surface water resources from impoundments of the Colorado River for its potable water supply. Austin Water operates three existing Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), which are Ullrich , Davis and Handcox . The Davis plant has been in service since 1954 and has a rated treatment capacity of 118 million gallons per day (MGD). Davis’ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment and network infrastructure are essential to the operation of the facility. The existing equipment has exceeded its service life and is now obsolete, no longer supported by the manufacturers, and difficult to maintain. This equipment needs to be replaced and upgraded to maintain reliability. This project will replace existing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) equipment with new PLCs throughout the plant, including installation of necessary fiber optic cable, electrical conduit, and wire. The work consists of demolition of existing PLCs and network communications systems and furnishing and installing new PLCs and network communications systems in the Administration Building, Filter Building, Chemical Building, Centrifuge Building, Recycle Pump Station Nos. 1 & 2 and Low Service Pump Station areas of the plant. Item 6 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, …
..Body Item 7 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize additional expenditures for the construction contract for the Polybutylene Water Services Replacement Program project with Austin Underground Inc., to increase the amount by $864,030 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $10,434,354. Funding: $10,434,354 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: Additional Authorization. MBE / WBE: Note: This request is for additional expenditure authority only. MBE/WBE goals will be established if a change order is requested. Prior Council Action: December 9, 2021 – Council approved a contract with Austin Underground, Inc. for the Polybutylene Water Services Replacement Program project. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Water’s distribution system is large and complex, consisting of approximately 3,900 miles of water mains and serving approximately one million customers. Distribution system assets require ongoing repair and replacement to prevent leaks and loss of valuable treated water because of deterioration due to environmental conditions and aging. Water service lines made of polybutylene or polyethylene fail at a much higher rate compared to other materials such as copper or high-density polyethylene . Failure rates for polybutylene or polyethylene pipes increase at higher pressures. The cost of proactively replacing a service as part of a construction contract is about 30% less than the cost to reactively repair or replace using Austin Water’s Distribution System Maintenance crews. Proactive service line replacement also results in less water loss and fewer unscheduled customer service outages. Since 2001, Austin Water has been proactively replacing polybutylene and polyethylene services in areas of high static pressure using both internal forces and contractor resources. Under the Polybutylene Water Services Replacement Program project, approximately 2,200 polybutylene and polyethylene water services with pressures exceeding 105 pounds per square inch are being replaced with copper services in 62 subdivisions. Many of these services have previously experienced one or more breaks with subsequent repair by Distribution System Maintenance crews. Construction is currently ongoing and is projected to be completed in Spring 2025. Item 7 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 Due to significant field-verified deviations with existing utilities, unexpected conditions encountered during construction; and the need to repave …
Item 8 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 ..Title Posting Language Recommend approval to authorize a contract for a mobile medium voltage switchgear breaker for Austin Water with Graybar Electric Company, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $159,893. Funding: $159,893 is available in Austin Water’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Water. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 2200 RBB1005REBID for these goods. The solicitation was issued on November 12, 2024, and closed on December 19, 2024. Of the two offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the lowest responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=141900 . MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the goods required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This contract is for a single mobile medium voltage switchgear breaker to power large emergency generators for extended power during outages or extreme weather events. The breaker will isolate power between a medium voltage transformer (15kV) and the pump station utility transformer. The breaker will allow the utility to become more resilient during extreme weather events or power failures that affect the incoming power to a critical pumping station. The breaker provides a contingency plan that follows the Federal Power Act and Texas Senate (SB 3) regarding preparing for, preventing, and responding to weather emergencies. Austin Water has already purchased emergency generators with low voltages, as such the breaker will be used between the low generator voltages to isolate and protect the equipment. If a contract is not secured, Austin Water’s resiliency goal will be hindered because the department will not be able to isolate power during extreme weather or power failures, which will result in higher operational costs due to loss of power.
Item 9 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 12, 2025 Council: March 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Water Operating Budget (Ordinance No.20240816-004) for the purpose of defeasing and redeeming outstanding bonds, by amending transfer for an increase in transfer in for a net amount of $2,000,000; an increase expenditures in a net amount of $5,000,000 for a net impact of $(3,000,000) to the ending fund balance; and amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Combined Utility Revenue Bond Redemption Fund (Ordinance No. 20240816-004) to increase the transfer in for a net amount of $7,215,206 and increase expenditures in a net amount of $7,215,206. Funding is available in the ending balances of the FY 2024-2025 Austin Water operating funds. Reduction of these ending balance will maintain Austin Water’s compliance with relevant City financial policies. ..De Lead Department Austin Water Prior Council Action: August 16, 2024 – Council approved an ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 12, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This budget amendment is related to the defeasance item that would authorize Austin Water to pay off certain maturities of the City’s outstanding Water and Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds. A defeasance is a method of using available cash to pay off outstanding debt. The cash is placed in an escrow account held by a trustee to make principal and interest payments on the required payment date for the bonds being defeased until redemption or maturity. Once the defeasance is funded, the obligations payable from the escrow are no longer secured by or payable from the revenues initially pledged to their payment. The proposed related defeasance item seeks authorization to pay off certain maturities of the City’s outstanding Water and Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds. This process allows Austin Water to remove the debt from its books, which reduces debt levels, reduces interest expense, and improves debt service coverage by lowering the burden of debt service payments in the short-term. Also, this proposed defeasance action is in direct relation to achieving a Water and Wastewater System rate stability over the next few years. The total source of funds for the defeasance of $40,215,206 will be provided from a combination of $3,000,000 in Austin Water Operating Funds, $34,000,000 in Impact Fee/CRF collections, $1,000,000 …
Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission February 19, 2025 — 4:00 pm Austin Water Headquarters Waller Creek Center 625 East 10th Street, Austin Texas Some members may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: http://www.austintexas.gov/wwc Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, call or email the board liaison Heather Cooke at 512-972-0083 or Heather.Cooke@austintexas.gov . To register to speak in person, people must sign up at least ten minutes before the meeting is called to order. Mike Reyes, (District 4) Vacant (District 5) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Judy Musgrove (District 7) Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Vice Chair (District 8) Marcela Tuñón Sion (District 9) Susan Turrieta, Chair (District 10) Commissioners: William Moriarty (Mayor) Jesse Penn (District 1) Alex Navarro (District 2) Amanda Marzullo (District 3) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION 1. Approval of minutes from the January 15, 2025 regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. 2. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the 2020 Bond Substandard Streets Ross Road North with DeNucci Constructors, LLC, in the amount of $29,650,594.00 plus a $2,965,059.40 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $32,615,653.40. Funding in the amount of $29,669,890.33 is available in the Capital Budget of the Transportation and Public Works Department and Funding in the amount of $2,945,763.07 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. 3. Recommend approval of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 15-9 (Utility Service Regulations) to authorize wastewater billing methodology for customers with onsite water reuse systems and customers with evaporative loss from cooling towers. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Heather Cooke at Austin Water, 512-972-0083 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 15, 2025 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a regular called meeting on January 15, 2025 at Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Turrieta called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 4:06 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Chair Susan Turrieta, Vice Chair Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Judy Musgrove, Shwetha Pandurangi, Mike Reyes, Marcela Tunon Sion (Remote), Amanda Marzullo, Alex Navarro, William Moriarty, Jesse Penn PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no registered public speakers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the December 4, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Maxwell- Gaines’ second on a 10-0 vote DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to authorize negotiation and execution of a collection agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, for the purpose of re- evaluating fuels in closed canopy Ashe Juniper-oak woodlands, for a term of three years, in an amount not to exceed $198,467. Funding is available in the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Fund and the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Recommended on Commissioner Marzullo’s motion and Commissioner Penn’s second on a 10-0 vote 3. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for cold-water meters for Austin Water with Thirkettle Corporation d/b/a Aqua-Metric Sales Company, for an initial term of one year with up to two one-year extension options for a total contract amount not to exceed $6,000,000. Funding: $900,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Recommended on Commissioner Marzullo’s motion and Commissioner Penn’s second on a 10-0 vote 4. Recommend approval to authorize execution of a contract for liquid polymer for thickening and dewatering sludge for Austin Water with Polydyne Inc., for an initial term of three years with up to two one-year extension options, for a total contract amount not to exceed $6,000,000. Funding: $900,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Recommended on Commissioner Marzullo’s motion and Commissioner Penn’s second on a 10-0 vote 5. Recommend approval …
..Body Item 2 Water & Wastewater Commission: February 19, 2025 Council: February 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize execution of a contract for construction services for the 2020 Bond Substandard Streets Ross Road North project, for the Transportation and Public Works Department and Austin Water and to be managed by Capital Delivery Services, with DeNucci Constructors, LLC, in the amount of $29,650,594.00 plus a $2,965,059.40 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $32,615,653.40. Funding: $29,669,890.33 is available in the Capital Budget of the Transportation and Public Works Department and Funding in the amount of $2,945,763.07 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids IFB 6100 CLMC1068 for these services. The solicitation was issued on October 7, 2024, and closed on January 9, 2025. Of the six bids received, the recommended contractor submitted the lowest responsive bid. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=141362. MBE / WBE: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 5.81% MBE and 1.51% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: February 19, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The City evaluated Ross Road, in a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) as part of the 2016 Mobility Bond to develop recommendations to improve mobility and safety along the project area. The project area in the PER includes Ross Road between State Highway 71 and Pearce Lane (referred in the report as “Ross Road North”) and between Pearce Lane and Heine Farm Road (referred to as “Ross Road South”). This project scope is for the construction of Ross Road North only. Ross Road South is being designed under the jurisdiction of Travis County. The proposed improvements are focused on reducing congestion and enhancing safety by improving vehicular traffic flow, reducing delays at intersection points, providing alternative modes of transportation, and reducing the number of collision points. The proposed improvements include: • Expansion of Ross Road North to include two lanes in each direction; addition of left turn pockets at key intersections; addition of curb and …
..De Item 3 Water & Wastewater Commission: February 19, 2025 Council: February 27, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 15-9 (Utility Service Regulations) to authorize wastewater billing methodology for customers with onsite water reuse systems and customers with evaporative loss from cooling towers. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. Lead Department Austin Water. Prior Council Action: December 11, 2019 – City Council voted to approve the Land Development Code Revision directing Austin Water to establish a regulatory program and an incentive program for Onsite Water Reuse Systems on first reading, on a 7-4 vote. February 13, 2020 – City Council voted to approve the Land Development Code Revision directing Austin Water to establish a regulatory program and an incentive program for Onsite Water Reuse Systems on second reading, on a 7-4 vote. December 10, 2020 - City Council approved an ordinance establishing City Code Chapter 15-13 relating to treatment, monitoring and reporting regulations for Onsite Water Reuse Systems, on a 10-0 vote. April 22, 2021 – City Council voted to approve an initial Pilot Incentive Program for Onsite Water Reuse Systems for the voluntary installation of alternative Onsite Water Reuse Systems, on a 10-1 vote. May 20, 2021 – City Council adopted a resolution directing staff to prepare an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 25-9 (Water and Wastewater) establishing water benchmarking, expanding Reclaimed Water Connection requirements, and adding Onsite Water Reuse requirements, on an 11-0 vote. June 10, 2021 – City Council adopted an ordinance waiving Planning Commission review of Land Development Code amendments in order to expedite implementation of water conservation strategies in the Water Forward Plan, on an 11-0 vote. September 30, 2021 – City Council adopted an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 25-9 (Water and Wastewater) relating to establishing new requirements for water conservation in the implementation of the Water Forward Plan, including expansion of the Reclaimed Water Connection requirement, water benchmarking, and mandatory Onsite Water Reuse for certain new developments and requiring an affordability report, on a 10-1 vote. November 9, 2023 – City Council adopted an ordinance to amend Ordinance #20210930-117 to defer the effective date for Onsite Water Reuse requirements for large development projects, on a 7-1 vote. March 7, 2024 – City Council adopted an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 25-9 (Water and Wastewater) relating to clarifying requirements for water conservation in the implementation of …
Wastewater Billing Ordinance for Onsite Water Reuse Systems Katherine Jashinski, P.E. Supervising Engineer February 19th, 2025 Water & Wastewater Commission Agenda Intro to GoPurple and Onsite Water Reuse Options for Billing for Wastewater Wastewater Flow Factor Billing Proposed Ordinance Q&A 2 Intro to GoPurple and Onsite Water Reuse GoPurple Austin City Council Adoption on March 7th 2024 Code Changes for Onsite Water Reuse and Reclaimed Water Connections Affordability Strategies for Reuse Projects New community Benefit Charge increase ($0.15 per thousand gallons) to fund Reclaimed Water System expansion and Onsite Reuse programs Go Purple | AustinTexas.gov 4 Requirements for Onsite Water Reuse Systems Project Size Other Project Characteristics Required Sources 250,000 sf or greater of GFA Project has one or more commercial, multifamily or mixed use buildings Combined AC condensate and Rainwater Exception: project has four or more multifamily buildings with a FAR <1 Combined AC condensate and Rainwater Required End Uses Irrigation Toilet/urinal Cooling Tower Irrigation AC condensate Cooling Tower Less than 250,000 sf of GFA Project has a cooling tower of 100 tons or greater capacity GFA = Gross Floor Area FAR = Floor to Area Ration 5 Accounting for Wastewater Contributions from Onsite Water Reuse Systems 6 Austin Central Library: Lessons Learned 7 Considerations for Private Meters for Wastewater Billing 8 Cost to add additional metering reduces the affordability of the systems Location of private meters within buildings requires self-reporting Maintenance and calibration of meters increases workload for facility managers Manual Billing to get meter reads into Austin's billing system adds substantial workload and increases staffing needs at AW Options for Billing for Wastewater 1. Wastewater averaging 2. Gallon for gallon 3. Wastewater billing adjustments for evaporative cooling towers 4. Metered wastewater billing City Code Chapter 15-9 (Utility Regulations) City Code Specifies Current Options for Wastewater Billing 10 Metering and Billing for Existing Customers Residential Commercial ~ 95% of AW customers ~5% of AW customers Wastewater Averaging Water = Domestic meter consumption WW = Average meter consumption Nov-March Gallon for Gallon Water = Domestic + Irrigation meter consumption WW = Domestic meter consumption 11 Evaporative Loss Adjustment Program for Cooling Towers Private meter IN Approximately 120 AW customers participate These customers: • reapply every 5 years • are responsible for the ownership and maintenance of their private meters which support the cooling tower system • self …
MY ATX WATER Austin’s Smart Metering System Randi Jenkins, Assistant Director Water & Wastewater Commission February 19, 2025 AGENDA Overview Citywide Implementation Substantial Completion & System Performance Communications, Customer Interactions & Benefits Testimonials Next Steps 2 My ATX Water OVERVIEW Network Configuration My ATX Water Customer Portal Data Collection Unit Secure Wireless Network Billing and Data Analytics 3 Citywide Implementation • Pre-planning & Pilots • Exchanging 250,000+ analog meters • Customer portal for real-time water metrics, alerts, tips, and customization • What made this project different? • Reaching Customers • Interactive Map • Quality Assurance & Meter to Bill Processes 4 Reaching Customers Customer mailer (4 weeks prior to install) Email (~1 week prior to install) Neighborhood yard signs Virtual community information meetings HOA/Neighborhood Association notifications Social Media center 5 Post install welcome & available call Quality Assurance & Meter to Bill Process Quality control has been integral to success • Each My ATX Water meter is tested by manufacturer for accuracy • AW conducts additional tests on a representative sample of meters to validate accurate Each My ATX Water meter undergoes 10-step certification process after registered readings installation After installation, manual and electronic reads are conducted simultaneously through two billing cycles before switching to fully electronic reads 6 SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION & SYSTEM PERFORMANCE 7 Substantial Completion & System Performance 100% Data Collection Units operating Averaging 99.96% billable reads each month 98.86% of 258,957 meters exchanged What is left? • 623 large meters to be converted by contractor • 429 1-inch, 1.5-inch, and 2-inch Turbine meters are on back order from Badger • 585 small meters require a maintenance task to complete AMI compatibility • 94 fire demand meters - hiring engineering firm to survey sites and bid a contract 8 COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER INTERACTIONS AND BENEFITS 9 Communications AW has sent 5M portal communications • drought and water conservation education, water quality report, emergency and planned events, customer surveys, and more. Weekly install and portal recruitment email open rate at ~70% (above industry average). Continued communications on the horizon are the Water Quality Report, water conservation including encouragement to customize their home water profile, budget, and rates. 10 As of 9/27, 98 open issues currently being worked As of 9/27, 4,242 issues resolved Customer Interactions 499,005 Leak & Bill Forecast Notifications since 2021 Leak Notifications in 2024 • 148,134 detected • 65% …
Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission January 15, 2025 — 4:00 pm Austin Water Headquarters Waller Creek Center 625 East 10th Street, Austin Texas Some members may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: http://www.austintexas.gov/wwc Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, call or email the board liaison Heather Cooke at 512-972- 0083 or Heather.Cooke@austintexas.gov . To register to speak in person, people must sign up at least ten minutes before the meeting is called to order. Mike Reyes, (District 4) Vacant (District 5) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Judy Musgrove (District 7) Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Vice Chair (District 8) Marcela Tuñón Sion (District 9) Susan Turrieta, Chair (District 10) Commissioners: William Moriarty (Mayor) Jesse Penn (District 1) Alex Navarro (District 2) Amanda Marzullo (District 3) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION 1. Approval of minutes from the December 4, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. 2. Recommend approval to authorize negotiation and execution of a collection agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, for the purpose of re- evaluating fuels in closed canopy Ashe Juniper-oak woodlands, for a term of three years, in an amount not to exceed $198,467. Funding is available in the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Fund and the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 3. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for cold-water meters for Austin Water with Thirkettle Corporation d/b/a Aqua-Metric Sales Company, for an initial term of one year with up to two one-year extension options for a total contract amount not to exceed $6,000,000. Funding: $900,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, December 4, 2024 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a regular called meeting on December 4, 2024, at Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Turrieta called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 6:02 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Chair Susan Turrieta, Vice Chair Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Judy Musgrove, Shwetha Pandurangi, Mike Reyes, Marcela Tunon Sion, Amanda Marzullo, Alex Navarro (Remote), William Moriarty (Remote) Commission Members Absent: Jesse Penn PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no registered public speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the November 13, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes from the November 13, 2024, regular meeting were approved on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Tunon Sion’s second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioner Penn absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with the cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander for the reimbursement of costs related to the rehabilitation of the East Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System and authorize the City's share of funding for capital improvements to the East Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $1,400,000. Funding in the amount of $1,400,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Austin Water Department. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Tunon Sion’s second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioner Penn absent. 3. Recommend approval to authorize execution of a contract for construction services for the Ivanhoe Trail Water Pipeline Renewal with Facilities Rehabilitation Inc. in the amount of $2,977,416 plus a $297,742 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,275,158. Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. (District 5) Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Tunon Sion’s second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioner Penn absent. 4. Recommend approval to authorize execution of a contract for construction services for the Northwest Area Lift Station Improvements: Boulder Lane Lift Station project with C.C. Carlton Industries, LTD in the amount of $6,881,000 plus a $688,100 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $7,569,100. Funding is available in the Capital Budget …
