Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission April 16, 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. Commissioners: William Moriarty (Mayor) Jesse Penn (District 1) Alex Navarro (District 2) Amanda Marzullo (District 3) Mike Reyes, (District 4) Vacant (District 5) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Judy Musgrove (District 7) Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Vice Chair (District 8) Marcela Tuñón (District 9) Susan Turrieta, Chair (District 10) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the February 19, 2025 regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to authorize an amendment to the contract for engineering services for the Davis Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Improvements project Project with Harutunian Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $2,882,682, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $4,382,682. 3. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for VXSmart utility billing customer service portal for Austin Water with Vertex U.S. Holdings, Inc. d/b/a VertexOne Software LLC or Watersmart Software Inc., for an initial term of two years and eight months with up to two one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $1,375,000. Funding: $687,500 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. 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. For more information …
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 …
Item 2 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: April 24, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize an amendment to the contract for engineering services for the Davis Water Treatment Plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Improvements Project with Harutunian Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $2,882,682, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $4,382,682. Funding: $4,382,682 is available in the Austin Water Capital Budget. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: Contract Amendment. MBE / WBE: This contract was awarded in compliance with City Code 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). Current participation to date is 7.95% MBE and 92.05% WBE. Prior Council Action: January 23, 2020 – Council approved a contract for engineering services with Harutunian Engineering, Inc., for the Davis WTP Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Improvements project. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The City utilizes surface water resources from impoundments of the Colorado River for its potable water supply. Austin Water operates three existing Water Treatment Plants, 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). The Davis Water Treatment Plant’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition 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 amendment will provide construction phase engineering services including reviewing project submittals and construction documentation, developing control narratives, providing PLC and top-end programming, testing services and developing record drawings. AUTHORIZATION HISTORY Item 2 DATE DESCRIPTION AMOUNT $1,500,000.00 $2,882,682.00 $4,382,682.00 Total Contract Authorization 01/23/2020 03/27/2025 Proposed (Council) – Construction Phase Engineering Services (Council) – Preliminary and Design Engineering Services CONTRACT HISTORY AMOUNT DATE DESCRIPTION $115,708.88 $1,093,893.51 $80,525.08 $2,882,682.00 $4,172,809.47 Total Contract History 04/30/2020 Preliminary Engineering Services 09/29/2021 SA #1 – Design Engineering Services 03/18/2024 SA #2 – Additional Design Engineering Services Proposed SA #3 – Construction Phase Engineering Services City of Austin Council Meeting Backup Date: April 24, 2025 File ID: 25-0344 Page 1 of 1 Item 2 M/WBE Summary Participation goals stated in the original approved …
Item 3 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: April 24, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for VXSmart utility billing customer service portal for Austin Water with Vertex U.S. Holdings, Inc. d/b/a VertexOne Software LLC or Watersmart Software Inc., for an initial term of two years and eight months with up to two one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $1,375,000. Funding: $687,500 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Water. Purchasing Language: Sole Source. MBE/WBE: Sole source contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This contract will provide software maintenance and support for VertexOne VXSmart utility billing customer service portal. The portal alerts customers when unusual water consumption occurs due to water leaks, high water usage, and also predicts future water bills based on current water usage. Austin Water (AW) relies on VXSmart to provide their utility customers with a portal that provides water usage alerts, notifications, historical water usage billing history, and emergency messaging. Since the installation of this system in 2020, AW has sent over 5.5 million messages which have been read by nearly 70 percent of its customers. These alerts have helped to reduce water waste by over 500 million gallons each calendar year in 2023 and 2024. Vertex U.S. Holdings, Inc. d/b/a VertexOne Software LLC or Watersmart Software Inc. is the manufacturer and sole source contractor for VXSmart. AW is unable to procure this software as a service from any other supplier. This contract replaces an existing contract expiring on April 30, 2025. The recommended contractor is the current provider for these services. If this contract is not approved, AW will lose the ability to send water usage alerts and communications to utility customers.
Item 4 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: April 24, 2025 ..Title Posting Language Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the Garden Villa Lane Water & Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project for Capital Delivery Services with DeNucci Constructors, LLC, in the amount of $8,426,181 plus a $842,619 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $9,268,800. Funding: $5,440,931 is available in Austin Water’s Capital Budget and $3,827,870 is available in the Watershed Protection Department’s Capital Budget. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1025 for these services. The solicitation was issued December 9, 2024, and closed February 6, 2025. 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=140140 . 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 7.17% MBE and 0.83% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The Garden Villa Lane Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project is a part of the Renewing Austin Program, which is an ongoing effort to replace and upgrade deteriorated and aging water mains with a documented history of multiple breaks, that are in poor condition, and impact service delivery. The program also coordinates and includes wastewater lines in poor condition and in need of replacement within the project area. Additionally, through a partnership with the Watershed Protection Department (WPD), the project also includes the replacement of existing storm drainpipes to mitigate aging infrastructure and to reduce localized flooding risks. The Garden Villa Lane Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project consists of repairing and replacing existing water and wastewater mains located within Barton Skyway to Cardinal Lane, Garden Villa Court, and Cardinal Lane from 5th Street to Locke Lane. Water system renewal includes approximately 143 linear feet (LF) of 6-inch, 618 LF of 8-inch, and 2,446 LF of 12-inch main along with service lines to individual properties and associated appurtenances. Wastewater system renewal includes approximately 1,825 LF of 8- inch main …
Item 5 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: April 24, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the Sinclair Avenue Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project for Capital Delivery Services with Facilities Rehabilitation Inc., in the amount of $1,042,210 plus a $104,221 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,146,431. Funding: $1,146,431 is available in Austin Water Capital Budget. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Capital Delivery Services. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1094 for these construction services. The solicitation was issued on November 14, 2024, and closed on January 23, 2025. Of the four 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=141943 . 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 99.33% MBE and 0.67% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The Sinclair Avenue Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project is part of the Renewing Austin Program, which is an ongoing effort to replace and upgrade deteriorated and aging water mains with a documented history of multiple breaks that impact service delivery, including wastewater lines in poor condition within the project area that need replacement. The Sinclair Avenue Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project consists of repairing and replacing existing water and wastewater mains located within Sinclair Ave between 42nd and 44th Streets. Water system renewal includes approximately 810 linear feet of 8-inch main along with service lines to individual properties within associated right of way. Wastewater system renewal includes approximately 895 linear feet of 8-inch main, manholes, and service lines to individual properties. Installation of approximately 150 linear feet of 18” storm drain and equipment is also included. Item 5 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: April 24, 2025 Due to the potential for encountering unknown subsurface conditions, a 10% contingency in funding has been included to allow for the expeditious processing of any change orders to cover any unforeseen construction costs associated with the project. The project will …
Item 6 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: April 24, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance regarding Undine, LLC’s proposal to increase water and wastewater rates for its customers located in the City’s corporate limits in the area known as Greenshores on Lake Austin. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. ..De Lead Department Austin Water. Fiscal Note This item has no fiscal impact. Prior Council Action: November 8, 2012 – Council approved Ordinance No. 20121108-004 suspending water and wastewater rates proposed by PK-RE Development Company, Inc. on a 7-0 vote. May 2, 2024 – Council approved Ordinance No. 20240502-007 suspending an increase in water and wastewater rates proposed by Undine, LLC on an 11-0 vote. May 30, 2024 – Council set a public hearing to be held on July 18, 2024, to receive comment on the City’s recommendations regarding Undine LLC’s proposed water and wastewater rates. July 18, 2024 – Council approved Ordinance No. 20240718-115, approved water requested rates and denied wastewater requested rate changes. January 30, 2025 – Council approved Ordinance No. 20250130-005 suspending an increase in water and wastewater rates proposed by Undine, LLC. For More Information: Inquiries should be directed to Austin Water Chief Administrative Officer Heather Cooke, 512-972-0083 or Heather.Cooke@austintexas.gov. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: Undine, LLC (Undine), an investor-owned utility with customers in the area known as Greenshores on Lake Austin, filed a Statement of Intent to Change Rates to increase water and wastewater rates for its Greenshores customers. Of Undine’s affected 230 water customers and 177 wastewater customers, only a few are within Austin’s corporate limits. The remaining customers’ rates fall within the regulatory jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Under Texas Water Code Chapter 13, Council is the regulatory authority with exclusive original jurisdiction to review rates charged to water and wastewater customers within the City’s corporate limits served by non-City utilities. The Council has authority to determine whether the rates, as they affect City residents, are just and reasonable and, that in all other respects, meet State and local law. City Code Chapter 15-4 sets out the City’s process for reviewing non-City utility rate filings and requires the determination to be made in a public hearing. As also required by …
Item 7 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: May 8, 2025 ..Title Posting Language Recommend approval to authorize a contract for 2025 Facilities - Emergency and Lift Station – IDIQ for Austin Water with Rangeline Utility Services, LLC, in the amount of $7,000,000 for an initial term of one year with up to two one-year extension options for a total contract amount not to exceed $21,000,000. Funding: $7,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Managing Department Austin Water. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1080 for these services. The solicitation was issued on January 6, 2025, and closed on February 13, 2025. 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=141594 . 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 5.37% MBE and 2.52% WBE participation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: A previous contract was developed to support facility needs such as emergency response services as well as non-emergency improvements for components of the Austin Water system. That contract was approved by Council in 2014 and has been completed and fully expended. This project is the fourth sequence of contracts to deliver Emergency and Lift Station Services and this contract will be used by Austin Water Facility Engineering to address facility emergencies and maintain lift stations. Item 7 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: May 8, 2025 The work includes but is not limited to emergency on-call response, operations support, and the rehabilitation of existing facilities. The contractor will provide on-call or emergency response services to repair/replace components of the system due to maintenance, failure, etc. This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract which provides for an indefinite quantity of services for a fixed time, usually an initial term with extension options. They are commonly used when precise quantities of supplies or services, above a specified minimum, cannot be determined. IDIQ contracts help streamline the contract process and service delivery and …
Item 8 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: May 8, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a low-interest loan in the amount not to exceed $45,000,000 as part of the TWDB’s State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) loan program, for Austin Water’s Polybutylene Pipe Replacement project (also known as the “Municipal Conservation Project”). Funding is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. ..De Lead Department Austin Water. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This action will authorize Austin Water to apply for a low-interest loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), not to exceed $45,000,000 for Austin Water’s polybutylene pipe replacement project. Austin Water's waterline services replacement program was established to systematically replace water service lines—the small-diameter lines that connect water mains to customer meters—aimed at reducing water loss throughout Austin's distribution system. Polybutylene pipes tend to fail at a disproportionately high rate compared to other materials, such as copper and HDPE (high-density polyethylene). This initiative is part of Austin Water’s conservation strategy, which seeks to minimize water loss through the replacement of outdated service lines. 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 a current amended contract that Council approved on March 27, 2025, Austin Water is replacing approximately 2,200 polybutylene and polyethylene water services with pressures exceeding 105 pounds per square inch in 62 subdivisions across Austin. Construction on this current phase of replacements is currently ongoing and is projected to be completed in Fall 2025. This proposed loan from the Texas Water Development Board will be used to fund an additional phase, to replace another 10,000 polybutylene service lines. The design contract for this next phase will be brought to Council for consideration in Winter 2025.
Item 9 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: May 8, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a low-interest loan in the amount not to exceed $10,000,000 as part of the TWDB’s State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) loan program, for Austin Water’s Travis Heights Reclaimed Water Main project (also known as the “Direct Reuse Strategy Project”). Funding is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. ..De Lead Department Austin Water. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This action will authorize Austin Water to apply for a low-interest loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), not to exceed $10,000,000 for Austin Water’s Travis Heights Reclaimed Water Main project. It was initially submitted to the Texas Water Development Board as a “Direct Reuse Strategy”. The Travis Heights Reclaimed Water Main project aims to increase the use of reclaimed water and decrease the demand for potable water. It will accomplish this by installing 4,500 linear feet of 24-inch reclaimed water main to expand the reclaimed water distribution system in the Travis Heights neighborhood, specifically along Fairmount Avenue, Alameda Drive, East Side Drive, and Monroe Street. This project will enhance the centralized direct non-potable reuse service area and increase the number of reclaimed water users in Austin. The Travis Heights Reclaimed Water Main Project is part of a series of initiatives designed to provide more reliable service to reclaimed water customers. Currently, Austin Water's Travis Heights Reclaimed Water Main Project is in the design phase. Once completed, it will deliver reclaimed water to customers for various non-potable uses, such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and industrial applications. Austin Water anticipates bringing the related construction contract to Council for award in Winter 2025. This project will be located in Council District 9. Item: 9 ALAMEDADRSCONGRESSAVEROSEDALE TERHILLSIDEAVENICKERSONSTBROOKLYN STMUSIC LNMARIPOSADRCOLLEGE AVEMELISSA LNEVA DRACADEMYDRWOODLANDAVETRAVISHEIGHTSBLVDBRACKENRIDGESTEMONROESTLOCKHARTDRFAIRMOUNTAVEEANNIESTWJAMESSTALTAVISTAAVETHECIRCLECROCKETT STNEWTONSTMILAMPLLELANDSTDRAKEAVEEVASTWMARYSTEGIBSONSTWANNIESTEMILTONSTWMONROESTWGIBSONSTWJOHANNASTWMILTONSTRAVINEDRSUNSETLNPECANGROVERDNEWNINGAVEEASTSIDEDREMARYSTTERRACEDRPARKLNSUNNYLNBICKLERRDProject Location: 5267.075 - Travis Heights Reclaimed Water Main02905808701,160145Feet¯ReclaimedWater:Approx.4,500LFProject Limits§¨¦35§¨¦35¬«1¬«1
Item 10 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 16, 2025 Council: May 8, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a low-interest loan in the amount not to exceed $65,000,000 as part of the TWDB’s Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) program, for Austin Water’s Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Flood Wall project. Funding is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. ..De Lead Department Austin Water. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 16, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: This action will authorize Austin Water to apply for a low-interest loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), not to exceed $65,000,000 for Austin Water’s Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Flood Wall project. The proposed floodwall would be to prevent encroachment of flood waters at Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The flood wall would consist of approximately 5,650 linear feet of sheet pile and 1,600 linear feet of concrete wall, totaling 7,250 linear feet, ranging in height from three feet to ten feet in height. The floodwall also includes seven flood gates to allow pedestrian and vehicular ingress and egress into the plant site. The floodwall will encompass the Walnut Creek WWTP, approximately 63 acres, including the existing 75 million gallon per day (MGD) plant, existing administration and maintenance buildings, existing reclaimed facilities, the proposed 25 MGD plant and proposed wet weather facility. The Walnut Creek WWTP is one of the two major wastewater treatment plants in the City of Austin. The plant is in East Austin, was built in various stages dating back to 1977 and has undergone several expansions. The plant is currently permitted for 75 million gallons per day (MGD) (average daily flow) and a plant expansion is currently underway to increase the capacity to 100 MGD with plans to increase the capacity to 150 MGD as the ultimate plant capacity. The Walnut Creek WWTP service area includes three sewersheds defined as follows: Walnut and Little Walnut; Crosstown tunnel; and Johnny Morris. These three sewersheds effectively cover the COA from immediately north of the Colorado River to the northern limits of the COA and easterly to the plant location. The treatment of wastewater flow from these sewersheds is totally dependent upon the operation of the Walnut Creek WWTP. The plant is …
Recruitment, Retention, &Training Update Israel Custodio, MLS Interim Assistant Director of ELD Water and Wastewater Commission Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Austin Water Organization Chart Current Org Chart 2 Recruitment & Retention 3 Vacancy Percentage by Fiscal Year 14.56% 14.03% 13.96% 12.78% 11.25% 10.55% 10.71% 10.32% 11.63% 12.02% 11.33% 11.40% 10.86% 11.76% 10.95% 11.09% 10.14% 9.55% 10.35% 9.99% 9.70% 10.64% 10.64% 10.21% 9.85% 9.85% 10.14% 9.56% 8.83% 8.40% 8.94% 8.58% 8.58% 8.58% Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb 2022 2023 2024 2025 16.00% 14.00% 12.00% 10.00% 8.00% 6.00% 4.00% 2.00% 0.00% 4 Current Vacancies by Age 7% 21% 1% 40% 1) Less than 3 Months 2) 3-6 Months 3) 6-12 Months 4) 1-2 Years 5) Greater than 2 years 31% 5 Positions Filled Vs. Separations 336 298 190 179 218 120 269 135 Positions Filled Seperations 95 46 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 6 Separations by Source 2025 YTD 2025 6 18 5 18 47 2024 16 30 31 62 139 2023 18 31 2022 4 15 40 49 38 2021 7 13 31 2020 10 43 24 21 45 120 31 107 80 179 81 178 Deceased Terminated Retired Transferred Resigned 7 Training 8 Training In Action Operational Training Division On Boarding Training Technical Job Skills Training Licensure Training 9 The Future is Now 10 Questions?
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 …
