Sections

About Us

 
Make a Donation
Local • Independent • Essential News
 

Tag Archives: Austin Water Utility

Infrastructure panelists ponder tactics for stretching Austin’s existing water supply

Facing limited prospects for new water sources, Austin officials are advancing a broad strategy centered on water reuse, conservation and storage to meet the city’s long-term needs. At a recent infrastructure summit hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, water…

Water • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 9, 2025

Audit throws shade at city's efforts to mitigate extreme heat

A new report from the Office of the City Auditor concludes that, while the city has made notable progress in preparing for extreme heat, challenges in coordination, funding and measurable planning continue to undermine long-term resilience. The audit, released this…

Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 1, 2025

$1 billion expansion of wastewater treatment plant poised to break ground

With a major expansion on the horizon for Austin’s Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mayor Kirk Watson is working with city staff to ensure the $1 billion project goes off without a hitch. The project, which City Council approved last…

Water • By Kali Bramble • Mar 28, 2025

Audit finds Austin Water needs to document how it fixes leaks

While Austin Water has worked to limit the amount of water lost through breaks in its water lines, over time the amount of water lost through such leaks has steadily increased, according to an audit discussed at the City Council…

Water • By Jo Clifton • Mar 27, 2025

Audit shows former Austin Water employee directed search of boss’ inbox

The former chief information officer for Austin Water misused the city’s resources in an effort to find out the identity of the person who lodged a complaint against him, according to an audit report released this week by the Office…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 26, 2025

Austin's water reuse program is moving forward, but slowly

Austin adopted what were called “historic” water reuse regulations a year ago, so the program is still in its infancy, especially compared with Los Angeles and San Francisco, which adopted regulations requiring builders to put in the necessary plumbing to…

Water • By Jo Clifton • Mar 14, 2025

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe

Lady Bird Lake’s water levels dropped (again), raising questions about dam’s integrity

If you went out for a walk along Lady Bird Lake on Tuesday afternoon you might have noticed the water level was lower than usual. Muddy stretches of bank extended farther toward the center of the lake. The smell wasn’t…

Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jan 30, 2025

Austin drinking water testing shows 'forever chemical' levels safer than EPA standards

Austin Water has reported that the city’s public drinking water contains little to no traces of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called “forever chemicals” because of their persistence. The Water and Wastewater Commission received a briefing from water quality…

Environment • By Hunter Simmons • Dec 6, 2024

The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Council approves updated Water Forward, Conservation and Drought Contingency plans

On Thursday, City Council approved updates to Austin’s Water Forward Plan and to the related Conservation and Drought Contingency plans. Water Forward, Austin’s 100-year integrated water resource plan, was first adopted by the city in 2018, after the record-breaking, nearly…

Water • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 22, 2024

Council slated to approve updates to Water Forward Plan and to Austin Water’s Conservation and Drought Contingency plans

This month, City Council will vote on proposed updates to Austin’s Water Forward Plan and to the related Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plans. During a briefing on Oct. 22, Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson presented an overview of…

Water • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 5, 2024

Council nearly doubles payment to build water system for disannexed project

City Council has agreed to more than double its contribution toward a water infrastructure project that will service a project that recently disannexed from the western city limits. The unanimous approval of an amendment to the cost participation agreement between…

Water • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 14, 2024

Austin is way ahead of the curve on federal effort to replace lead pipes

On the same day the Biden administration set a 10-year deadline for U.S. cities to remove all lead pipes, Austin announced that the city is officially 100 percent free of lead contamination in its public water system. “I am proud of…

Water • By Lina Fisher • Oct 11, 2024

Next Page »

Back to Top