CITY OF AUSTIN DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC § 288.20 and § 288.22 Water Conservation Division City of Austin, Texas PWS # 2270001 May 2, 2024 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Table of Contents SECTION I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose and Intent ................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SECTION II: Background ........................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SECTION III: Trigger Conditions and Goals .................................................................................................... 8 SECTION IV: Drought Response Measures .................................................................................................. 11 SECTION V: Wholesale Contract Provisions ................................................................................................ 20 SECTION VI: Public Involvement ..................................................................................................................... 20 SECTION VII: Public Notification and Education ........................................................................................ 21 SECTION VIII: Coordination with Regional Planning Groups (RPG)...................................................... 21 SECTION IX: TCEQ Notification ....................................................................................................................... 21 SECTION X: Plan Review and Updates .......................................................................................................... 21 APPENDIX A: Water Conservation Code ....................................................................................................... 22 APPENDIX B: Water Conservation Penalty Code ........................................................................................ 23 APPENDIX C: Water Use Triggers for Water Use Management Ordinance .......................................... 24 APPENDIX D: Resolutions In Support of Adoption of The Drought Contingency Plan .................... 25 APPENDIX E: Resolution Adopting The 2024 Drought Contingency Plan ........................................... 26 APPENDIX F: Transmittal Letter to Regional Planning Group ................................................................. 27 APPENDIX F: Public Response to November 2023 Survey ........... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 1 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN City of Austin, Texas May 2024 Section I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose and Intent The City of Austin (the City) maintains a decades-long commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply through demand management measures. The latest update to Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan) builds upon this legacy. This iteration of the Plan retains all measures from previous versions while incorporating new strategies to better address droughts in the future. Designed as a comprehensive strategy, the Plan focuses on addressing water shortages and emergencies, with specific attention to domestic water use, sanitation, fire protection, and public well-being. In accordance with Section 11.1272 of the Texas Water Code and Chapter 288 of Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, the City regularly updates this plan, underscoring the importance of adaptability to evolving water supply dynamics. This document outlines the City's strategic response to challenges posed by demand surges, infrastructure constraints, and droughts, including historical critical droughts. Through coordination with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the Drought Contingency Plans of both the LCRA and the City are consistent in terms of targets and goals. The City’s plan is more proactive, including the implementation activities necessary …
Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile CITY OF AUSTIN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC §288.2 and §288.5 May 2, 2024 Page 1 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Page 2 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Message from the Director Thank you for your interest in Austin’s most precious natural resource: water. The city was founded in the mid-1800s on the banks of the Colorado River to take advantage of that abundant water resource. Our water supply is just as critical today, but now we face unprecedented challenges: record high temperatures, record low flows into the Highland Lakes, water quality concerns, and continued rapid population growth. Together, we can meet these challenges. The City of Austin’s 100-year Water Forward Integrated Water Resources Plan is focused on water conservation and water use efficiency, as well as strategies to strengthen the diversity of Austin’s water supply. Austin has come a long way over the last decade – in 2023, we used essentially the same amount of water as we did in 2011, despite having 140,000 more residents. But the impacts from climate change require us to become even more water-wise and water-efficient. The update of this Water Conservation Plan is required by the State of Texas every five years to provide short-term strategies to address changing conditions. Even more importantly, the update is a necessary part of the city’s future sustainability. This document describes Austin Water’s conservation initiatives, programs, and projects to help residents and businesses increase their water use efficiency. In addition, it describes how Austin Water is maximizing our water supply from the Highland Lakes through conservation and water reuse. Learn more about what you can do to conserve our most precious resource at AustinWater.org. Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. Austin Water Director Page 3 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Table of Contents Executive Summary 5 Conservation Program History 7 Public Education and Information 9 Residential Customer Programs 11 Commercial Customer Programs 15 Regulatory Programs 17 Metering and Water Loss 20 Water Reuse 23 Water Rates 25 Goals for Water Use and Water Loss 26 Utility Profile 30 System Data 35 Appendices 42 Page 4 of 50 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Executive Summary The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board require an update to the City of Austin’s Water Conservation Plan …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and Council Members THROUGH: Robert Goode, P.E., Assistant City Manager FROM: Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E., Director, Austin Water DATE: April 15, 2024 SUBJECT: Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan Updates We would like to share an overview of Austin Water’s upcoming Recommendations for Council Action, which update both the Water Conservation Plan (WCP) and Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), along with related amendments to the City Code to enforce the plans. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires the City’s WCP and DCP to be updated every five years. Staff have coordinated revisions with changes being made to the Lower Colorado River Authority’s (LCRA) DCP. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTIONS On May 2, 2024, Austin Water is requesting consideration of the following: • • • Approve a resolution adopting the Water Conservation Plan, as required by the TCEQ, and repeal the resolution for the 2019 Water Conservation Plan. Approve a resolution adopting the Drought Contingency Plan, as required by the TCEQ, and repeal the resolution for the 2016 Drought Contingency Plan. Approve an ordinance amending Austin City Code Chapter 2-13, Chapter 6-4, and Chapter 15-9 to codify necessary changes to enact the updated 2024 Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan. BACKGROUND The City of Austin’s 100-year Integrated Water Resources Plan, known as Water Forward, includes a number of strategies to provide for a sustainable water future for Austin, including water conservation and water use efficiency, reclaimed water use, like that of the recently adopted GoPurple Program, and strengthening the diversity of Austin’s water supply. While these plans have always served as an important element to water conservation and water supply planning, they are increasingly important tools as Austin continues to grow and as our region faces a prolonged drought. Current drought conditions have reduced the combined storage of the Highland Lakes to 43% of the available storage when full. The updated WCP and DCP describe current and additional activities to increase water efficiency and reduce water use. Page 1 of 3 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN The WCP provides a description of the activities by Austin Water to conserve water, both in times of plenty and in scarcity. Activities include customer education, incentives, and enforcement; water loss reduction activities; and water reuse, both centralized reclaimed and onsite. In addition to current and expanded conservation activities, the WCP includes goals for 5- …
2024 Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans Updates Water and Wastewater Commission – April 17, 2024 Kevin Critendon, P.E., Assistant Director Agenda Water Supply Planning Overview Proposed Water Conservation Plan (WCP) Proposed Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Next Steps 2 Austin’s Water Supply: 325,000 Acre Feet Per Year Colorado River • Combination of State-granted water rights & long-term contract with LCRA • Up to 325,000 acre- feet per year (afy) LCRA reservation & use fees pre-paid in 1999 • Additional use payments trigger when average for 2 consecutive years exceeds 201,000 afy Centralized Reclaimed System 3 What plans and why do we need them? Texas utilities must provide a Water Conservation Plan (WCP) and a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Required by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) every 5 years WCPs identify programmatic activities aimed at reducing overall water consumption and improve water use efficiency 4 DCPs identify water supply triggers and related drought response activities How are these plans different? Water Conservation Plan (WCP) Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Plan for all weather conditions Focuses on drought conditions Describes Describes • Utility and water use information • Conservation (rebates, education, enforcement) • Water loss reduction • Reuse activities Includes water consumption and water loss • Drought Stages • Drought Triggers (demand and supply) • Drought Actions & Restrictions Must be consistent with the LCRA DCP Requires Chapter 6-4 changes goals 5 How does this work regionally with our water supply partner? LCRAs Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) AWs DCP aligns with LCRAs DCP LCRA recently updated its DCP on March 26, 2024 LCRAs significant updates include: • Adjusting drought trigger levels (From 4 stages to 5 stages) • Adding LCRAs inflow trigger for Drought Stage 2 • Adding specific drought condition water use restrictions 6 Austin’s Water Conservation Plan (WCP) Public education & outreach Residential assistance Incentive programs Regulatory programs Water loss reduction Water reuse 7 2024 WCP Updates Updated program activity and water savings Increased integration with My ATX Water Updated Conservation Goals and Water Loss goals 8 2024 WCP Proposed Goals Based on a 5-year average and measure attainable achievements and updated targets for: • Total Population Gallons Per Capita per Day (GPCD) reduction of water use • Residential Gallons Per …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 17, 2024 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a regular called meeting on April 17, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Commissioner Jesse Penn, acting as Chair on behalf of Chair Turrieta and Vice Chair Musgrove called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 6:01 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: William Moriarty (remote), Jesse Penn, Alex Navarro, Sabrina Reichert (remote) Mike Reyes, Sam Angoori, Shwetha Pandurangi, Vice Chair Judy Musgrove (remote), Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Marcela Tuñón Sion (remote) Commission Members Absent: Chair Susan Turrieta PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no speakers registered to speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the March 13, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes from the March 13, 2024, regular meeting were approved on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Angoori’s second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro and Chair Turrieta absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to execute a contract for crane and boom lift rentals with GAC Equipment, LLC d/b/a Austin Crane Service, for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $3,100,000. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner Reyes’ motion and Commissioner Pandurangi’s second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro and Chair Turrieta absent. 3. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a cost participation agreement with United Properties Development, LLC for the City to reimburse the developer for an amount not to exceed $5,077,250 for costs associated with the design and construction of oversized wastewater interceptors and appurtenances related to Service Extension Request No. 5132 that will provide wastewater service to a proposed mixed-use development located at E. Howard Lane and SH 130. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner Maxwell- Gaines’ motion and Commissioner Reyes’ second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro and Chair Turrieta absent. 4. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute of a cost participation agreement with MFMG – Burnet Austin Project Owner, LP for the City to reimburse the developer for an amount not to exceed $1,012,000 for costs associated with the design and construction of an oversized wastewater main and appurtenances related to Service Extension Request No. 5391R that will provide wastewater service to a proposed multi-family development located at 11911 Burnet Road. (District 7) Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner …
Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission March 13, 2024 — 6:00 pm Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Boulevard 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 at 512- 972-0115 or Blanca.Madriz@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) Sabrina Reichert (District 3) Mike Reyes, (District 4) Sam Angoori (District 5) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Judy Musgrove, Vice-Chair (District 7) Christopher Maxwell-Gaines (District 8) Marcela Tuñón Sion (District 9) Susan Turrieta, Chair (District 10) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION 1. Approval of minutes from the January 17, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. 2. Approval of minutes from the February 14, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. 3. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute of a contract for supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and software installation and support services with Control Panels USA, Inc., for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $2,100,000. 4. Recommend approval for Service Extension Request No. 4622R for wastewater service to a 77.78-acre tract located at 9209 Ledgestone Terrace within the Drinking Water Protection Zone, the City’s 2-mile Extra- Territorial Jurisdiction and Austin Water’s service area. 5. Recommend approval for a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a 20-year low-interest loan in the amount not to exceed $25,000,000 as part of the TWDB’s State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) loan program, for the additional cost 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 …
Item 3 # 24-4086 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: March 21, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and software installation and support services with Control Panels USA, Inc., for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $2,100,000. 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. Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Engineering Services, Charles Celauro Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $175,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of the Austin Water Department. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) 2200 DJJ3002 for these goods and services. The solicitation was issued on October 23, 2023, and closed on November 28, 2023. The recommended contractor submitted the only responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services, website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Document. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract is for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) equipment and software installation and support services for Austin Water (AW). AW uses SCADA systems to monitor and control the various water and wastewater facilities, including treatment plants, water distribution pump stations, reservoirs, and wastewater collection lift stations. The contractor will implement small SCADA improvement projects and provide SCADA support services for AW’s mission-critical SCADA systems. The required services will be performed on a scheduled and as-needed basis and will include the installation of associated hardware and software, programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and emergency support. An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored Control Panels USA, Inc. as the best to provide these services based on system concepts and solution and program, demonstrated applicable experience, personnel, small business preference, local business preference, and price.
Item 4 # 24-4119 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: March 21, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval for Service Extension Request No. 4622R for wastewater service to a 77.78- acre tract located at 9209 Ledgestone Terrace within the Drinking Water Protection Zone, the City’s 2-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction and Austin Water’s service area. Lead Department Austin Water Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Environmental, Planning & Development Services, Kevin Critendon Fiscal Note There is no anticipated fiscal impact. Prior Council Action: June 11, 2020 Council approved Service Extension Request No. 4622 for wastewater service May 18, 2023 Council approved Service Extension Request No. 5650 for water service. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 6, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Environmental Commission. March 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The Ledgestone (Revised) project consists of approximately 77.78 acres of land located at 9209 Ledgestone Terrace (the “Property”). The Property is located entirely within the City of Austin’s (the “City”) 2-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction, Impact Fee Boundary, Austin Water’s service area for wastewater, the Drinking Water Protection Zone, and the Slaughter Creek Watershed. A map of the property location is attached. Applicant: Endeavor (the “Owner”) is proposing to develop approximately 500 multi-family units, 11,620 sq. ft. retail space, and 8,000 sq. ft. restaurant space. The Owner requested that the City provide wastewater utility service to the Property and Austin Water has determined the service requirements as proposed in Service Extension Request (SER) No. 4622R. West Travis County Public Utility Agency (PUA) will provide retail water service to the Property. City Code § 25-9-35 requires City Council approval for this SER because the Property is located within the Drinking Water Protection Zone and outside the City’s full-purpose corporate limits. All costs will be paid by the Owner. City Council on June 11, 2020, approved SER-4622 for wastewater service to the Property; however, the Owner is now requesting to amend the previously approved SER due to a change in the project’s intensity, proposed land use, lot configuration, and anticipated wastewater demands (LDC 25-9- 39(C)3). The proposed development under this current request includes the subdivision of the Property for retail and restaurant use along US 290 Hwy, in addition to the previously proposed multi- Item 4 # 24-4119 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: March 21, 2024 family use on …
Item 5 # 24-4190 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: April 18, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval for a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a 20-year low-interest loan in the amount not to exceed $25,000,000 as part of the TWDB’s State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) loan program, for the additional cost incurred from the development and implementation of Austin Water’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program, aka Austin’s Smart Water Meter System (My ATX Water). Lead Department Austin Water Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Financial Services, Joseph Gonzales Fiscal Note Funding is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Prior Council Action: April 21, 2016 - Council authorized the City Manager to apply for funding from the TWDB for a 20-year SWIFT loan, not to exceed $80,195,000, for the development and implementation of Austin Water’s AMI project. December 7, 2017 - Council approved a consulting services contract with West Monroe Partners, LLC for advanced metering infrastructure program management. February 20, 2020 - Council approved an amendment to the consulting services contract West Monroe Partners, LLC for three additional phases of consulting for the advanced metering infrastructure program. March 26, 2020 – Council authorized execution of a ten-year multi-term contract with Aclara Technologies, LLC and a five-year multi-term contract with Watersmart Software, Inc. for the advanced metering infrastructure program, for total contract amounts not to exceed $95,000,000 divided between the contractors. On March 23, 2023 – Council Authorized amendments to two contracts for Advanced Metering Infrastructure systems, including meters, meter installation, a data platform, and customer portal with Meter Reading Holding, LLC d/b/a Aclara Technologies, LLC or Aclara Smart Grid Solutions, LLC and with Vertex U.S. Holdings, Inc., d/b/a VertexOne Software LLC or Watersmart Software, Inc. to increase the amount by $7,934,000 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $103,000,000, divided between the contractors. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Item 5 # 24-4190 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: April 18, 2024 Additional Backup Information: This action will authorize Austin Water to apply for a new low-interest loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), not to exceed $25,000,000 to complete Austin Water’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, also known as MyATX Water. This new loan …
Item 6 # 24-4121 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: March 21, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with the cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander for the reimbursement of costs related to the expansion of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System and authorizing the City's share of funding for capital improvements to the East Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $12,600,000. Lead Department Austin Water. Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Customer Experience, Randi Jenkins Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $12,600,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital Budget of the Austin Water Department. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Prior Council Action: July 23, 2009- Council approved an interlocal agreement to purchase the City’s share of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System from the Lower Colorado River Authority. September 22, 2011- Council approved an agreement with the Brazos River Authority for the operation and maintenance of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System. March 6, 2014- Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Cities of Round Rock, Leander, and Cedar Park concerning the capacity, operation, maintenance, and improvements to the Southwest Interceptor of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System. May 18, 2017- Council approved negotiation and execution of interlocal agreements with the cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander for the reimbursement of costs related to the expansion of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System. May 7, 2020 – Council approved negotiation and execution of an amendment to the agreement with the cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander to increase Austin’s reimbursement share related to the expansion of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System (“Brushy Creek System”) is a wastewater system located in southern Williamson County. The cities of Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park jointly purchased the Brushy Creek System from the Lower Colorado River Authority in 2009, and each City is a partial owner of the Brushy Creek System. The City of Leander joined the other cities in 2011. Two wastewater treatment plants of the Brushy Creek System are located in the City of Round Rock’s Item 6 # 24-4121 …
Item 7 # 24-4153 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: April 4, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for professional services for the Southwest Pressure Zones Pump Station/Reservoir Study project with HDR Engineering, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000. (District 5) 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 8.00% MBE and 3.00% WBE participation. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Environmental, Planning & Development Services, Kevin Critendon Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQS 6100) CLMP363 for these services. The solicitation was issued on November 8, 2023 and closed on December 11, 2023. Of the three offers received the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services, website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Document. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: On a maximum demand day, the Davis Lane Pump Station operates at 75% effective capacity - the highest of any other distribution pump station. To improve redundancy and relieve the utility’s reliance on the Davis Lane Pump Station, this study is necessary to identify, analyze, and recommend a feasible secondary facility and transmission. This preliminary engineering report will provide a recommendation for an additional reservoir/pump station facility and related transmission that will provide full redundancy to the existing Davis Lane Pump Station. The report will include a feasibility assessment with the possibility of multiple options, an environmental impact analysis, and potential land acquisition for a future facility site. Recommended improvements shall address the hydraulic, mechanical, civil, structural, electrical power distribution, instrumentation & controls, and environmental aspects of the distribution system. Item 7 # 24-4153 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: April 4, 2024 There is no anticipated impact to the traveling public as this is a modeling study only and the Davis Lane Pump Station is closed to the public. This request allows for the development of an agreement with the firm. If the City is …
Item 8 # 24-4164 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: April 4, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval to execute a contract for hydro-blast cleaning services with Meylan Enterprises, Inc., for a term of five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $775,000. 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. Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Department Austin Water Acting Assistant Director of Operations, Mercedes Garcia-Lopez Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $77,500 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) 2200 AMA1095 for these services. The solicitation was issued on November 20, 2023, and closed on December 19, 2023. The recommended contractor submitted the only responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services, website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Document. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide hydro-blast cleaning services for rapid mix basins and filter plates at Austin Water’s Davis Water Treatment Plant. Davis Water Treatment Plant has three rapid mix basins and 27 filter plates that require hydro-blast cleaning. The rapid mix basins are used in the process of water softening, which causes a thick layer of scale to build up on all submerged surfaces of the rapid mix basins. The filter plates are located at the bottom of concrete filter boxes that are used as part of the filtration process to treat drinking water. Settled water runs through the filter boxes to remove smaller particles, which remain in the water following coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation. The contract will allow for the hydro-blasting and cleaning of three rapid mix basins and six (of 27 total) filter plates annually. If a contract is not secured, the City would be forced to procure these services on an as-needed basis which could potentially result in higher prices and lead to equipment failures due to corrosion buildup. …
Item 9 # 24-4220 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: March 21, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval for an ordinance amending Exhibit A to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City Fee and Fine Ordinance (Ordinance No. 20230816-007) to add an Austin Water Reclaimed Water Utility fee in lieu of providing an onsite water reuse system. Lead Department Austin Water Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Financial Services, Joseph Gonzales Fiscal Note Fiscal note is attached. Prior Council Action: August 16, 2023 – Council approved 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. March 7, 2024 – Council approved, as amended, Ordinance No. 20240307-037 amending Chapter 25- 9 (Water and Wastewater) that included the establishment of a fee in lieu for certain onsite water reuse requirements. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: 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 the City’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. City Code Chapter 25-9 specifies the types of properties that are required to connect to Austin Water’s centralized reclaimed water system or, if they are located beyond the required connection distance, to construct an onsite water reuse system. Onsite water reuse systems collect alternative water from sources such as rainwater and condensate from heating and air conditioning systems for non-drinking water uses. Qualifying projects required to install an onsite water reuse system as of April 1, 2024, will be eligible to apply for this fee, to be approved by the Austin Water Director. Item 9 # 24-4220 Water & Wastewater Commission: March 13, 2024 Council: March 21, 2024 This action proposes the amount for the fee in lieu to be equivalent to the cost to install 500 feet of …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 13, 2024 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a regular called meeting on March 13, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Chair Turrieta called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 6:00 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: William Moriarty (remote), Jesse Penn, Mike Reyes, Shwetha Pandurangi (remote), Vice Chair Judy Musgrove, Marcela Tuñón Sion, Chair Susan Turrieta Commission Members Absent: Alex Navarro, Sabrina Reichert, Sam Angoori, Chris Maxwell-Gaines PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no speakers registered to speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the January 17, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes from the January 17, 2024, regular meeting were approved on Vice Chair Musgrove’s motion and Commissioner Reyes’ second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro, Reichert, Angoori and Maxwell-Gaines absent. 2. Approval of minutes from the February 14, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes from the February 14, 2024, regular meeting were approved on Vice Chair Musgrove’s motion and Commissioner Reyes’ second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro, Reichert, Angoori and Maxwell-Gaines absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 3. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute of a contract for supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and software installation and support services with Control Panels USA, Inc., for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $2,100,000. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Vice Chair Musgrove’s motion and Commissioner Tuñón Sion’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro, Reichert, Angoori and Maxwell-Gaines absent. 4. Recommend approval for Service Extension Request No. 4622R for wastewater service to a 77.78-acre tract located at 9209 Ledgestone Terrace within the Drinking Water Protection Zone, the City’s 2-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction and Austin Water’s service area. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Vice Chair Musgrove’s motion and Commissioner Tuñón Sion’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro, Reichert, Angoori and Maxwell-Gaines absent. 5. Recommend approval for a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a 20-year low-interest loan in the amount not to exceed $25,000,000 as part of the TWDB’s State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) loan program, for the additional cost incurred from the development and implementation of Austin Water’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program, aka …
Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission February 14, 2024 — 6:00 pm Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Boulevard 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 at 512- 972-0115 or Blanca.Madriz@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) Sabrina Reichert (District 3) Mike Reyes, (District 4) Sam Angoori (District 5) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Judy Musgrove, Vice-Chair (District 7) Christopher Maxwell-Gaines (District 8) Marcela Tuñón Sion (District 9) Susan Turrieta, Chair (District 10) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 1. Approval of minutes from the January 17, 2024, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. 2. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for architectural services for the Waller Creek Restack Plan with Robert Jackson and Michael McElhaney Architects, Inc., in amount not to exceed $3,000,000. (District 9) 3. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for electrolytic cells and parts with Psi Water Technologies, Inc., for a term of three years for a total contract amount not to exceed $303,106. 4. Recommend approval to execute a contract for construction services for the 38th and 40th Streets Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project with Cedar Hills Construction, LLC, in the amount of $4,760,554 plus a $476,055 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $5,236,609. (District 9) 5. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for engineering service for Handcox Water Treatment Plant Resiliency Improvements with Carollo Engineers, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $8,912,000. (District 10) 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 …
Item 2 # 24-3751 Water & Wastewater Commission: February 14, 2024 Council: February 29, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for architectural services for the Waller Creek Restack Plan with Robert Jackson and Michael McElhaney Architects, Inc., in amount not to exceed $3,000,000. (District 9) MBE/WBE This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 9.07% MBE and 3.30% WBE participation. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Business Services, Anna Bryan-Borja Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQS) 6100 CLMP358 for these services. The solicitation was issued on August 18, 2023, and closed on September 20, 2023. Of the eight offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services, website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Document. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: February 14, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: Waller Creek Center is a ten-story office building that was constructed in the 1980’s. The Waller Creek Restack project will be the first major effort to renovate and improve the building since its purchase by the City. The renovation will maximize the space in the building to accommodate current and future staffing needs, standardize the space, and provide uniformity throughout the building. The renovation will provide an efficient, modern, and productive work environment that will focus on sustainability, resiliency, and flexibility. The final design will align with the current design standards utilized in City offices, will provide interior architecture cohesiveness throughout Waller Creek Center, and will be LEED Silver certified. Each floor of Waller Creek Center is approximately 13,000 square feet and accommodates various Austin Water program areas and divisions. These program areas and divisions perform various support functions for the utility and will require individual space planning and programming; each floor will require MEP engineering and structural engineering as well. The renovation will cause minimal impact to the public; however, the floors that are under construction will not be open to staff or the public. Austin Water staff will continue to occupy the Item …
Item 3 # 24-3902 Water & Wastewater Commission: February 14, 2024 Council: February 29, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract for electrolytic cells and parts with Psi Water Technologies, Inc., for a term of three years for a total contract amount not to exceed $303,106. 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. Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Department Austin Water Interim Assistant Director of Operations, Mercedes Lopez-Garcia Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $35,362 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: Sole Source. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: February 14, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide the City with approved original equipment manufacturer (OEM) electrolytic cells and repair parts provided by the contractor. This will achieve microbial inactivation requirements specified in the United States Environmental Protection Agency drinking water regulations administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the more intensive City treatment goals. This is replacing a contract that will expire March 10, 2024. The requested authorization amount for this contract was determined using departmental estimates based on historical spending, along with a small annual increase to account for an increase in repairs due to aging equipment. The contractor is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the proprietary electrolytic cells. If the City is unable to secure a contract, proper maintenance and unscheduled repairs would not be accomplished, risking component failures. These failures will affect Austin Water Treatment Operations, limiting production of safe drinking water for the City.
Item 4 # 23-3891 Water & Wastewater Commission: February 14, 2024 Council: February 29, 2024 Posting Language Recommend approval to execute a contract for construction services for the 38th and 40th Streets Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project with Cedar Hills Construction, LLC, in the amount of $4,760,554 plus a $476,055 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $5,236,609. (District 9) 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 7.64% MBE and 0.89% WBE participation. Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Engineering Services, Charles Celauro. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $4,648,353.85 is available in the Capital Budget Austin Water. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) CLMC1012 for construction services. The solicitation was issued on October 30, 2023, and closed on December 7, 2023. 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 Financial Services, website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Document. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: February 14, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The 38th and 40th Streets Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project is part of the Renewing Austin Program. The Renewing Austin Program 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 that impact service delivery. In addition, the program coordinates and includes wastewater lines in poor condition and in need of replacement within the project area. This project consists of the repair and replacement of existing water and wastewater mains located within the general boundaries of Red River Street (west), East 40th Street (north), North IH35 South Bound Service Road (east), and East 37th Street (south). The water system renewal includes approximately 2,650 linear feet of 8-, 12-, and 16-inch main along with service lines to individual properties and appurtenances. The wastewater system renewal includes 2,610 linear feet of 8-inch main, service lines to individual properties, and manholes. This item includes three allowances. An allowance of $10,000 will be used to address contaminated soil and water, if encountered. An allowance of $360,000 will …
