Lake levels healthy; Leander reports combined lakes at 89% and average daily use about 13 MGD in September

Public Works staff gave council a September water update showing combined storage in Lakes Travis and Buchanan near 1.7 million acre-feet, roughly 89% of capacity, a substantial increase from the same period a year earlier.

Public Works Director Crowder told council that September inflows had been low compared with historical averages and that combined lake levels remain healthy: "Currently now we are sitting 89% full," he said. Staff reported September peak day production of 19.12 million gallons per day (MGD) and a month-to-date average around 13 MGD. The month's rainfall total on city gauges was minimal.

Conservation work and outreach: the water-conservation coordinator has been active in outreach and irrigation evaluations. Staff reported roughly 80 households contacted for potential irrigation evaluations, with nine evaluations completed to date; the city planned a rain-barrel and compost bin pickup event with 74 barrels and 27 compost bins scheduled for distribution. Crowder highlighted a customer success: irrigation adjustments that reduced a resident's irrigation volume below 5,000 gallons for scheduled runs.

Council members asked whether growth-driven connection increases are tracking with total usage — staff confirmed that new connections are increasing demand and that per-connection usage and conservation remain important aspects to monitor. No policy action was taken; staff will continue conservation outreach and monitor reservoir conditions.