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Austin Water unveils first Water Forward quarterly report; flags leaks, service‑line funding and reuse progress
Summary
Austin Water presented its Q1 Water Forward implementation report showing expanded leak detection, a proposed $18 million annual service‑line replacement CIP, progress on reclaimed and on‑site reuse projects, and outreach efforts to lower gallons per capita per day (GPCD). Officials stressed improved data accuracy contributed to a higher measured infrastructure leakage index.
Austin Water presented the first quarterly Water Forward implementation report (Q1: January–March 2025) to the Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee on July 30, outlining conservation, water‑loss, reclaimed‑water, and supply strategies and describing near‑term budget and operational priorities.
The lede: Kevin Cleave, Water Conservation Division manager, summarized Q1 work including increased irrigation inspections, stronger Mitex/MyATX leak alerts, outreach impressions of about 15 million, steps to expand reclaimed water customers and three on‑site reuse permits approved in early 2025.
The nut graf: The report documented both program progress and emerging challenges: staff noted an infrastructure leakage index calculated at 5.4 for 2024 (an increase tied largely to better data and metering), and recommended stepping up service‑line replacements with a proposed increase in CIP funding to $18 million per year for FY26 (up from $8 million).
Officials emphasized the leakage index rise reflected improved measurement as well as some real leakage. "Sometimes when you're really leaning into working on the data, the initial result goes back before it can go forward," Cleave said, explaining that metering improvements at treatment plants and more complete accounting meant the utility now better captures the water entering the system.
On service lines, staff explained the focus is on removing fragile materials (notably older polybutylene service lines) by prioritizing high‑pressure neighborhoods and using internal crews plus contractors. Director Shay Rolson added the city’s main replacement program has reduced main breaks substantially, and the additional $18 million targets service lines — the smaller customer lines that feed from mains — where failures have become the most persistent issue.
The report also listed five projects to expand the reclaimed water system and highlighted a completed feasibility study to subsidize on‑site water reuse for affordable housing. Council subsequently approved an additional subsidy for that work, staff said, and the department reported three on‑site reuse permits approved so far in 2025.
Council members asked about multifamily billing, administrative adjustments and the effectiveness of AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) alerts. Randy Jenkins, assistant director at Austin Water, said there is currently no commercial administrative adjustment process for multifamily accounts (which roll under commercial billing) but staff are pursuing outreach and portal alerts so property owners and managers monitor water use and respond to leaks. Cleave and Rolson noted pilot notifications via MyATX to alert customers when irrigation should be dialed back after rain.
On codes and conservation, the utility summarized three local amendments approved to the uniform plumbing code: required pressure‑regulating devices for irrigation; limiting automatic irrigation on new homes to 50% of landscape area; and requiring clothes‑washer plumbing on certain new homes to enable future reuse. Staff said they are coordinating with builders and landscapers to implement the changes.
No formal vote resulted from the presentation; staff asked for the committee’s feedback on the quarterly reporting format and next steps in metrics and outreach.
