[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6535038,"mediaKeyId","3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be","parentId",3439999,"title","Commission approves three Austin Water contract amendments totaling about $6.4 million; one rebid contractor replaced","audioSeconds",368,"startMs",801000,"endMs",1169000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be&start=801&end=1169","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be/thumbnail_801000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535038/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commission-approves-three-Austin-Water-contract-amendments-totaling-about-64-million-one-rebid-contractor-replaced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535038-3519d9fea9d7f02452086d904c6224d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132715&Signature=n~prOuNBAbZKAkzCYMR9s4kUEbA3LUbw~ZzjR71X8MT3vIllY7iZwUe4EHHmeY0Tj-Qau6LcWwK81pfvN3YoDG8BXomXI6lO0rVZWWGgUyb8UpT1oKcWlMBd3HAHwXoa9yrAcM8UVigF3ko9T8-c5OPlXe2uYchCflqO4BmNvAYPWPFyyQvyq0Vz5VR6-VpdAF6muKvnyr0Wwe1rjGAo9Iyt7G8~jYKGCCjjsa6CgEzmcB2ZQDIrYmw6wCR3hqBG-cDTISXTM8qnYyEKb-jOtQ1sbyIUh9JBFxC4ajuJrxmDLhYygwGTXpPOGhwEDQ5vkMbe3~6bJpvYHVzfbIgLVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Austin Water/Wastewater Commission on May 21 approved three contract amendments covering construction and engineering services for local pipeline and lift-station work.

The commission authorized: (1) a construction contract for the East Allandale–White Rock neighborhood water and wastewater system renewal rebid with Facilities Rehabilitation Inc. for $4,799,250 plus a $479,925 contingency (total not to exceed $5,279,175); (2) a $5,000,000 amendment for construction-phase engineering services to Black & Veatch Corporation on the McNeil Drive water transmission main project, bringing that contract’s not-to-exceed total to $8,800,000; and (3) a $600,000 amendment for engineering services with AECOM Technical Services Inc. for the Boggy Creek lift station force main extension, raising that contract’s not-to-exceed amount to $2,200,000. Funding for all three actions was identified as available in Austin Water’s capital budget.

Why it mattered: the East Allandale–White Rock contract is a rebid after the original contractor — from Houston, Austin Water staff said — and the city agreed to a mutual separation because of schedule and quality concerns. Commission members asked for details about the original contractor’s performance and payments; Austin Water staff said some payments were withheld to reflect deficient work and that the city sought an equitable settlement before rebidding.

Kevin Koller, Austin Water division manager for Pipeline CIP Delivery, said the rebid followed performance and schedule issues with an out-of-town contractor; Steven Vargas, the project sponsor, said the original contractor completed roughly 10% of the work before the mutual separation.

On the McNeil Drive tunneling project, staff said the $5,000,000 construction-phase services amendment covers specialty, around-the-clock tunneling inspections, geotechnical and other testing and night-shift coverage because tunneling work will run for about two years. Kane Way, supervising engineer on the pipeline project delivery team, said specialist inspectors and testing (including nondestructive testing and geological mapping) are required because city staff lack the continuous tunneling inspection capacity.

The Boggy Creek amendment was presented as a funding increase for capital delivery engineering services; no substantive technical objections were raised during the meeting.

Votes and recusals: the motions for items 4, 5 and 11 were approved. On item 4 (East Allandale rebid), the vote was unanimous among present commissioners except that Commissioner Penn recused. On item 5 (McNeil Drive engineering amendment) the commission voted unanimously in favor with Commissioner Penn recusing. On item 11 (Boggy Creek amendment) the vote was unanimous with Commissioner Penn recusing.

What’s next: Austin Water will proceed with the rebid for East Allandale–White Rock and with the engineering and construction work described above, financed from Austin Water’s capital budget. The commission’s action authorized staff to complete contract negotiations and move forward with procurement and project delivery.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue reporting on contract performance, change orders and any use of contingencies as projects proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Water and Wastewater Commission - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Austin Water/Wastewater Commission on May 21 approved three contract amendments for local pipeline and lift-station work, including a rebid construction contract for East Allandale–White Rock, a $5 million increase for McNeil Drive tunneling construction-phase services, and a $600,000 amendment for the Boggy Creek force main extension.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535023,"Austin Water presents first quarterly Water Management Strategies report; small rise in quarterly per‑capita use",2480,2678000,5158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be&start=2678&end=5158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be/thumbnail_2678000.jpg","/articles/6535023/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Water-presents-first-quarterly-Water-Management-Strategies-report-small-rise-in-quarterly-percapita-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535023-98afda49d4b6b5bc14255dfd86b1cd28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132716&Signature=G~tX7u7-sqyE0~SG3AKNR7wF2VsYi2S7~3Zq9-P6IWfeLX-YwcbMjnGbO4~PETRVrbhQD0V2O9IXPClURNW1U4a2zhKA8fL3o8r7afPcKiHo3MEBF-jlj2DS3KpiAIWuNYhXP3lCqZsmZZx2WDXPO6AEaQA0yALN8bmXwkmtReOotP115c70ifeRF8v1hcYL1zZ306Xc96DKUsyTj0lT-15VV0C7tiAZaYnDMeXAWoB7C2rQcdikyDkMkGKZAG0J16X~nUfgHtojym8C4q9UbDJzhg7uhcvBW2d2U2oGZ-3Zpj49G1DETSJLwjsvo4PpqVvI1NNzqeH~tbZD4xKvlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Water presented its first quarterly implementation report on May 21, covering January–March 2025, with metrics and milestones across five strategy areas: water conservation, water loss, reclaimed water and on-site reuse, conservation outreach and water-supply projects.

Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Division Manager, told the commission the quarterly slide deck is a new, ongoing product intended to provide timely, repeatable metrics; staff said all quarterly data are preliminary and subject to annual validation.

Key takeaways in the presentation:
- Rebates: Q1 2025 saw a notable increase in landscape-related residential rebates compared with Q1 2024; staff credited public-information outreach for much of the uptick.
- Leak alerts and smart meters: Deployment of Austin’s MyATX smart meter system has increased leak alerts and estimated savings reported for Q1 compared with Q1 2024, as the metering system continues to be rolled out.
- Water-loss work: Staff reported progress implementing Black & Veatch recommendations on water-loss reduction and increased funds for service-line replacement; water-main break counts and infrastructure-leakage-index measures are weather-sensitive and showed mixed trends for the quarter.
- Reclaimed water/on-site reuse: The reclaimed system grew modestly (two new reclaimed meters reported, total 222), and three on-site reuse construction permits were approved in the quarter. Staff emphasized the Go Purple incentive changes (approved earlier in the meeting) and ongoing work to expand purple‑pipe projects.
- GPCD (gallons per capita daily): The quarter-to-quarter comparison showed total GPCD in Q1 2025 was one gallon per capita higher than Q1 2024; staff noted that GPCD is primarily an annual metric and single-quarter comparisons have limitations.

During Q&A commissioners pressed staff on participation in Go Purple incentives, the reliability and automation of metrics reporting, and the status of long-term supply projects such as aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) and indirect potable reuse. Staff said the Go Purple program had three historical applicants (two active projects), that outreach and demonstrations should increase voluntary participation, and that the quarterly report is intended to be a sustainable slide-deck product that staff will refine.

Why it matters: the quarterly report is intended to provide earlier, regular feedback to council, the commission and the public on progress toward Austin’s water-conservation and supply goals, and to track implementation milestones for generational projects.

Ending: Staff asked commissioners and stakeholders for feedback on the report format and metrics; Austin Water plans quarterly updates and additional analysis of volumetric yields in future reports.","Austin Water delivered its first quarterly implementation report for water-management strategies on May 21, showing increased residential rebate activity and leak-alert savings and a 1-gallon-per-capita rise in quarterly GPCD compared with Q1 2024.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535028,"Commission backs larger Go Purple incentives for deeply affordable housing, adds dual‑plumbing rebate",1011,1656000,2667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be&start=1656&end=2667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be/thumbnail_1656000.jpg","/articles/6535028/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commission-backs-larger-Go-Purple-incentives-for-deeply-affordable-housing-adds-dualplumbing-rebate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535028-6f64a182fd5e7529ba40f352a96e1634/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132716&Signature=BDTBImV6i4cLphESHJnQHDl~RECjBj1bxfN29uGtrTQPa0XYtbBZef0aqj7esJZOzhQuxuZgrI1YRvXoYiGlwtj5y8vQVOlc4ctcCD384H1DZvg2Y~W3h~bZC4mC6nA7jTUWbHrS-JEWm4CwY2JwH2BflQrBmADBOhmK7cg9QExYAiLytNFi6rUy79OLCw1CZT6t4jr3-ACkCM-Du3rEjsQ-2Hifg-CoAKQcR41qwcZT7v0oZv1bXQ6CZ~8lQ8UcG6K1kRKtTX9ef2RWqaGctH1aW74RiTJF8uqQCS98oXeJx1xwhsrogHWYT6EavEkfg2ivY22ZUs06pBCtpGK0jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin Water/Wastewater Commission on May 21 voted unanimously to amend the Go Purple pilot incentive program to increase incentives for deeply affordable housing projects and add a rebate for dual plumbing.

Catherine (first name only in the presentation), supervising engineer in Austin Water’s Reclaimed and On-site Reuse Program, briefed the commission on the proposed changes. She said the code adopted in March 2024 requires on-site water reuse and reclaimed connections for many multifamily and commercial projects but exempts deeply affordable housing projects (projects that reserve at least 50% of units at specified income thresholds). The ordinance directed staff to consider affordability strategies, she said, and the Go Purple program included incentives to help cover the added cost of reuse infrastructure.

Under the amendment the commission approved, the on-site water reuse incentive cap for exempt deeply affordable housing projects would increase from $500,000 to $1,500,000 per project. The reclaimed-main extension cost-share cap remains at $500,000. Austin Water staff also proposed and the commission approved adding a dual‑plumbing rebate to cover the cost of dual plumbing inside buildings.

Catherine told the commission the utility set aside $4,000,000 for the Go Purple program for the current fiscal year; she said the city had received three applications historically (two in progress) but no new applications since October. Staff described outreach efforts, coordination with the Housing Department, and plans to report program activity quarterly. Catherine also said the incentive increase is intended only for the exempt deeply affordable housing projects, not for market-rate developments.

Why it matters: dual plumbing and on-site reuse can lower utility bills and reduce potable water demand, but they require design and construction changes. Staff told commissioners they sometimes hear that design teams prefer to wait until mandatory projects establish best practices before advising clients to pursue voluntary incentives. The higher cap and addition of a dual-plumbing rebate are intended to reduce financial barriers for deeply affordable projects.

Vote: Commissioner Marzullo moved and Commissioner Maxwell Gaines seconded the motion to approve the FY25 amendments to the Go Purple pilot incentive program; the vote was unanimous.

Ending: Austin Water will begin applying the amended caps and rebate structure and will continue outreach to affordable housing developers and design teams while reporting program uptake quarterly.","The commission approved an amendment to Austin Water’s Go Purple pilot incentive program to increase the on-site reuse incentive cap for exempt deeply affordable housing projects from $500,000 to $1,500,000 and to add a dual-plumbing rebate. Funding for the pilot was noted at $4 million for the fiscal year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535033,"Commission approves water/wastewater service-extension for 10656 North FM 620 despite watershed objection",268,502000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be&start=502&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be/thumbnail_502000.jpg","/articles/6535033/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commission-approves-waterwastewater-service-extension-for-10656-North-FM-620-despite-watershed-objection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535033-30b1bb55c6a11aa38ed14fecc5918032/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132716&Signature=i6svgPmauRE-VvElJOBVvqBU-S2of4vsHwoJpd-kYCZ8hftITgbYD3nSHVOCdNMO2b~-K8HK6EA6zvnTFfMKCpowuHvozHQexmcZNpm9C3kWN0c7di9Uh6ioZj4QNS5R1wJAZRuOChp5SDotPnsokB1BsHrM7JYICWSKqK4RzuZJmrwLIcSSE6mYffLEsY6Rvdo88AnUBZvb8iB5ILwR2Ra3K7QbH~D7jS16BYkhkAwwhOZHjFJgkMVmR2kTvssrUycr~zdtT6xHAu4a~Z2iZ4WfQp3TYkZbV8152cx3ouoZ6~fz93g2wPRXHnQ08mY1WThofl~W5JO2VPjfZQFLbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin Water/Wastewater Commission voted May 21 to approve service-extension requests (SERs) for water and wastewater to serve a 10-acre tract at 10656 North FM 620, inside the city’s drinking-water protection zone in unincorporated Travis County.

Commissioners discussed jurisdictional review and noted that the Environmental Commission had recommended against approval. Commissioner Reyes asked whether Austin Water and the City of Austin would still review public water and wastewater infrastructure related to the SERs. Colin Kirk of Austin Water confirmed the city would review public infrastructure and that site plan permitting and coordination with Travis County and, potentially, TxDOT would be required.

The commission treated the two related items (one for water, one for wastewater) together and approved both SERs on a single motion. Commissioner Reyes moved to approve items 18 and 19; Commissioner Pena Rangi seconded. The recorded vote included six commissioners in favor, one abstention and one no vote: Commissioners Tuyon, Marzullo, Penn, Reyes, Pangarengi and Maxwell Gaines voted yes; Commissioner Shannon Trillie Kempner abstained; Commissioner Moriarty voted no.

Why it matters: the property is located inside the drinking-water protection zone; watershed protection staff told the commission they recommended against approval. Austin Water staff said the commission’s action covers city review of public water and wastewater improvements but that other jurisdictional reviews (Travis County, TxDOT) may apply.

What the commission decided: approve SER 6140 (water and wastewater service extension) for the tract at 10656 North FM 620 and direct Austin Water to coordinate necessary infrastructure review and permitting.

Ending: Staff will continue coordination with watershed protection, Travis County and other agencies as the project moves through site-plan and public-infrastructure review.","The commission approved service-extension requests (SERs) for a 10-acre tract at 10656 North FM 620 in unincorporated Travis County within the drinking-water protection zone. Watershed Protection recommended against approval; Austin Water staff said city would still review public infrastructure.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535018,"Resident urges city to fund plumbing repairs for lowest-income owner‑occupants",161,100000,261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be&start=100&end=261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439999-3304859136cfd939ca8ab62b405a32be/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6535018/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Resident-urges-city-to-fund-plumbing-repairs-for-lowest-income-owneroccupants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535018-17d049a4d4904acd99952ab9e21b425f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132716&Signature=bEGutyxhK24UdkRJdF0iDBHE73huORO-Y31ztfajm2d4AbPteCu3cDYgLKiZw6rXZvuwpJkkH5IFzqxEekZrycvC13Qrnt7uq~rBDd2UBqUgLAfDAiUUQRz-Rq8zJ7htzGnNkLwLsQmdH7h1vaAdcxM6g5t2nxDn8tfXJ8FzBnzk-23CspP09MHVO5MeUwWrHA2aLEys6MURGakIDfpzr0WxHbO4VRrYAwIqmxIjxHq0hqQAHCligWslIHaX6S6QZMiQ~mvr9GaEu8yG3B6AGY4topKFTokG8VaQViXxwj4duMe-tqfZ4KHWNHMxTszr2q4alqT0dtFNsRGlFh6MjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the May 21 meeting of the Austin Water/Wastewater Commission, Stuart Harry Hirsch urged commissioners to consider the city’s role in funding plumbing and sewer repairs for the poorest owner‑occupied homeowners.

Hirsch, who said he is from District 2, told the commission that some federal programs administered by HUD do not cover plumbing repairs and that demand for city assistance has outstripped available funds by mid‑year. He said homeowners with failing fixtures, water heaters and water or sewer lines sometimes earn as little as $10,000 a year and cannot afford necessary repairs; he urged commissioners to “help the poorest among us that are homeowners.”

Hirsch disclosed he worked for the City of Austin from 1977 to 2008 and was among staff who wrote the 1987 land development code and criteria manuals; he said he would return to speak again after the city manager releases the proposed budget in July.

The commission did not take action on the comment at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to provide information on past expenditures and programs related to owner‑occupied plumbing repairs as a potential future agenda item.

Ending: Commissioner(s) suggested an informational follow-up on city spending and programs for owner-occupied plumbing repairs ahead of budget discussions later in the year.","A public commenter told the commission that federal and HUD funding shortfalls have left many low‑income owner‑occupied homeowners unable to afford urgent plumbing and sewer repairs and urged Austin Water to support budgeting to cover the need.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves three Austin Water contract amendments totaling about $6.4 million; one rebid contractor replaced

Austin Water presents first quarterly Water Management Strategies report; small rise in quarterly per‑capita use

Commission backs larger Go Purple incentives for deeply affordable housing, adds dual‑plumbing rebate

Commission approves water/wastewater service-extension for 10656 North FM 620 despite watershed objection

Resident urges city to fund plumbing repairs for lowest-income owner‑occupants