Item 11 — original pdf

Backup

Item 11 # 24-4075 Water & Wastewater Commission: February 14, 2024 Council: March 7, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Water (AW) Fee Schedule (Ordinance No.20230816-007) to add a dedicated GoPurple component of the Community Benefit Charge (CBC) of $0.15 cents per thousand gallons to support Reuse Strategies in the Water Forward Plan and amending Austin Water's 2023-2024 Operating Budget (Ordinance No.20230816- 008) to reflect the corresponding revenue and appropriation increase of $4,100,000. Lead Department Austin Water Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director for Environmental, Planning and Development Services, Kevin Critendon Prior Council Action: August 15, 2023 – Council approved an ordinance (Ordinance No. 20230816-007) authorizing fees, fines, and other charges to be set or charged by the City for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on September 30, 2024. August 15, 2023 – Council approved an ordinance (Ordinance No.20230816-008) adopting the Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: February 14, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This action is one of four proposed Council items related to implementing Austin Water's new "GoPurple Program" 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. GoPurple Program Austin Water continues to expand its centralized reclaimed water infrastructure (known as “purple pipe”) throughout Austin. This system delivers non-drinking water for irrigation, cooling towers, toilet/urinal flushing, and virtually any use not requiring higher-quality drinking water. Expanding the use of reclaimed water builds Austin’s resilience against drought and climate change by diversifying our water supply. Reclaimed water is a renewable resource that is less expensive to treat, and users are charged lower rates. All customers benefit from the expansion of the reclaimed water system, which is a key strategy in Austin’s Water Forward 100-year water supply plan. The GoPurple CBC will fund the reclaimed water system expansion as well as incentive programs to expand the use of reclaimed water within new development projects. Austin Water’s customers who are enrolled in the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) do not pay this Community Benefit Charge so their water and wastewater bills will not be impacted by this proposed increase. The impact will be a $1.47 monthly increase for the average residential customer who is not enrolled in the CAP program.