Item 13 - Austin's Aquifer Storage & Recovery Presentation — original pdf

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Austin’s Aquifer Storage & Recovery Project Water & Wastewater Commission | Nov 12, 2025 Shay Ralls Roalson, Director What is Aquifer Storage & Recovery? Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) is a proven method of safely storing water in an aquifer to use later. 2 Timeline as of April 2025 P H A S E 1a Desktop Analysis 2022-23 After extensive scientific studies, we identified a portion of the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer as the best suited to test for an ASR project. we are here P H A S E 1b P H A S E 2 P H A S E 3 Exploratory Field Testing Pilot ASR Testing Full-Scale ASR 36-42 months est. 36 months est. 8-10 years est. Our ask: We want to test water compatibility in a lab, working with Bastrop County stakeholders in a partnership approach. If proceeding, we would conduct limited water testing in the aquifer, assess impacts on nearby wells, and fund any needed fixes. If proceeding, we would build full- scale ASR project and deliver on commitments to Bastrop County. 3 Aquifer Storage & Recovery Key Points Storing Austin’s water – not taking Bastrop’s water: Austin Water will not take groundwater from Bastrop County Working with Willing Land Owners: Austin Water will not use eminent domain to acquire property for this project in Bastrop County Our Ask We want to test water compatibility in a lab over the next three years, working with Bastrop County stakeholders in a partnership approach. We would work hand in hand with industry and local experts on the ASR Technical Advisory Group. 4 Next Steps  November 20, 2025 - Austin City Council considers approval of the Phase 1B Field Testing Collaboration Agreement  Subject to Council approval of the Collaboration Agreement, a Technical Advisory Group will be formed to guide the Bastrop County field testing  Early 2026 - Additional Austin City Council authorization will be needed to initiate Phase 1B field testing, including:  Increased funding for consultant contracts due to expanded scope  Future real estate agreements with willing landowners 5 Questions? Water & Wastewater Commission | Nov 12, 2025