Watershed Protection and Austin Water updated the committee that hydrilla covers roughly 36% of Lake Austin; staff favors sterile grass carp stocking (current estimate ~5,000 fish) and described a possible drawdown process with LCRA in Oct–Nov to permit shoreline work, with potential power-generation reimbursement up to $75,000; no vote was taken.

Austin Water staff requested a $15 million amendment to an HDR contract to fund field testing for aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) and brackish groundwater desalination in eastern Travis County; commissioners pressed staff on yields, brine disposal options, site jurisdiction and community engagement. The commission lacked a quorum to vote on the contract recommendation, which staff said will go to City Council on May 28.

Austin Water told the Resource Management Commission that Q1 per-capita use was low and combined Highland Lakes storage sat at about 91%, but NOAA and ENSO forecasts point to hotter, possibly drier months that could move the city toward contingency drought stages; staff outlined long-term aquifer-storage testing and reuse strategies and answered questions about large industrial users.

Austin Water presented Q1 Water Forward implementation highlights showing per-person use at 113 gallons/day and an infrastructure leakage index improvement to 5.16%. Staff described the 'Go Purple' reclaimed-water program, rebates and incentives, large-volume customer criteria, and recommended exploring water budgeting and land-use categories for data centers.

The commission approved construction contracts for West Riverside, Northwest A/B zone, Oltorf/Travis Heights and an interlocal reimbursement with CapMetro; it also authorized an application to the Texas Water Development Board for up to $6 million for galvanized service line replacement, approved a design ILA with ATP (see separate story), reappointed officers and moved meeting start times to 5:30 p.m.

After a staff briefing on Project Connect’s Austin Light Rail, the Water and Wastewater Commission approved a design-phase interlocal agreement with Austin Transit Partnership that commits the city to pay actual design costs for requested utility betterments; Austin Water estimates about $36 million in design-level betterment costs covering roughly 123,000 linear feet of pipe.

Austin Water presented Q4 2025 Water Management Strategy highlights, reporting rebates that staff estimate saved over 30 million gallons and a drop in annual GPCD to 128; the task force agreed to form a two-meeting working group "Planning for large volume users" to review whether the Water Forward update accounts for rapidly growing high-demand customers.

Austin Water told the task force it plans desktop studies and community engagement in Eastern Travis County and will seek additional City Council authorization in late May to fund expanded field testing, including drilling up to four test wells; staff said the extra funds requested are about $15 million, bringing the total contracted program to roughly $21 million (transcript contained minor inconsistent references to $22M).

Austin Water staff told the Water Forward Task Force that Highland Lakes inflows in early 2026 exceeded 2025 levels for March but remain well below long-term averages; combined storage was reported at about 1,660,000 acre-feet (roughly 83% full) and officials warned the region remains in drought and could approach DCP triggers if dry trends continue.

Austin Water told the commission its Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion needs more funding because of higher construction costs; commissioners unanimously approved a $600 million contingency increase to bring the MWH contract ceiling to $1.5 billion and authorized seeking up to $1 billion in EPA WIFIA loan proceeds.

Austin Water told the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee that its all‑hazards program, expanded communications capacity and winter preparedness measures helped the utility maintain generally normal operations during a recent frozen‑precipitation event. Staff outlined equipment, training and outreach tools, and advised residents on reporting outages.

Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes presented a proclamation declaring Oct. 16, 2025, as 'Imagine a Day Without Water' in Austin. Community organizers and Austin Water highlighted concerns about water access, affordability and long-term planning, and urged community engagement.

The commission recommended City Council approve a collaboration agreement for limited ASR testing and approved a series of procurement and construction contracts (items 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12) and the minutes and consent agenda. Several commissioners recused from specific items where they had consulting roles.

The Water & Wastewater Commission voted to recommend City Council approve a collaboration agreement to govern laboratory and field testing for Austin's proposed aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project; staff said the agreement only covers testing and includes commitments not to use eminent domain and to work with willing landowners, while a Bast

Valerie Menard of the Colorado River Conservancy asked the task force to consider data centerswater use, on‑site reuse, metering and landscaping standards; Austin Water staff said council instructed study and that a report will be issued soon and that site‑development rules require extra review for very large developments.

Austin Water presented Highland Lakes inflows and storage and LCRA projections showing supplies tracking near extreme‑dry scenarios; NOAA and US Drought Monitor forecasts favor warmer, drier conditions through winter.

Austin Water staff told the Implementation Task Force that corrected plant flow meters and accounting errors accounted for much of a 2023–24 jump in measured losses, and outlined investments — including a $45 million low‑interest loan and hiring a dedicated water‑loss engineer — to accelerate service‑line replacements and improve measurement and AM

Commissioners unanimously approve meeting minutes and consent items during afternoon session.

Austin Water plans $6 million increase driven by staffing and smart meter implementation costs.

Austin Water collaborates with Bastrop stakeholders to finalize MOU for ASR project.

Anna Bridal Borja recognized for 28 years of dedicated service to Austin Water.

Austin's water supply updates indicate declining lake levels and severe drought forecasts for 2025.