AUSTIN, Texas —
UPDATE: On March 7, the Austin City Council approved several water reuse ordinances at its regular meeting. The ordinances relate to the regulation of onsite water reuse systems, a new requirement for commercial and multi-family development projects 250,000 square feet or larger if they don't connect to the city's purple pipe system or reclaimed water system.
Members of the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force sent Austin City Council a message on Tuesday: they want council members to approve water reuse ordinances at Thursday’s regular council meeting.
The task force approved a letter supporting the implementation of reuse and reclaim strategies Tuesday afternoon.
Water reuse refers to using treated wastewater, or reclaimed water, for either drinking or non-drinking purposes. The ordinances would expand the city’s on-site water reuse systems, among other initiatives.
In November, the KVUE Defenders highlighted the system in place at the Permitting and Development Center in North Austin.
The on-site water reuse system collects water from rain, air conditioning condensation, and wastewater from within the building. That water is treated and reused for non-drinking purposes, like flushing toilets and outdoor irrigation.
On April 1, 2024, on-site water reuse systems are expected to be required in large developments, 250,000 square feet or larger.
The task force is asking the council to produce regulations for the new ordinances.
Austin Water’s focus on advancing water reuse comes as the city’s population continues to increase. But as demand for water goes up, the supply of water is not.
Ongoing drought conditions and aging infrastructure also affect water supply. Water reuse strategies would help conserve drinking water.
Austin Water also wants the city council to create an extra Community Benefit Charge of 15 cents. The proposed fee would be on top of an existing charge of 15 cents that is added for every 1,000 gallons of water used.
One task force member pointed out that the new charge would generate $4.1 million a year, which would help fund reclaimed water system expansions and onsite reuse programs.
We asked Austin Water how many large developments may be affected by the new water reuse ordinances. According to Program Manager Jose Emperador, while permit activity varies year to year, their analysis shows between 30 to 50 large developments being affected by the new ordinances every year.