At the most recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Austin Water Utility’s Financial Plan, utility officials shared concerns about the fate of their bond rating. Due to similar financial circumstances, Ft. Worth’s Tarrant Regional Water District was recently downgraded by rating agencies. Assistant Director of Finance and Business Services David Anders was worried […]
Austin Water Utility
AWU is the municipal utility that provides water service for the City of Austin.
Posted inResources
Austin Water says conservation measures cutting into bottom line
Austin Water Utility officials reported to the Council’s Audit and Finance Committee Wednesday that the utility had overestimated its FY2013 revenue figure by nearly $10 million. The culprit, according to utility Chief Financial Officer David Anders, was a drop in both residential and commercial water use thanks to Stage 2 drought restrictions. Though the […]
Posted inResources
Conservation measures could hike rates for Austin Water users
As the current drought deepens – despite recent rains – city officials may be forced to take steps to install tougher conservation measures as water levels in the Highland Lakes continue to fall. But, as Austin Water Utility Assistant Director Daryl Slusher told the Environmental Board last week, using less water could mean higher water […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council votes to raise water impact fees to near maximum rate
Austin City Council members Thursday approved an immediate increase of impact fees for public infrastructure to just below the maximum allowable rate. Those are the fees that the Austin Water Utility assesses to help offset the cost of extending water and wastewater utility lines. The move, which came by unanimous vote, sets the fees to […]
Posted inResources
Water Utility’s Meszaros outlines worst-case drought scenarios
Austin Water Utility Director Greg Meszaros offered Austin City Council members a grim view of the lingering regional drought, and the potential effects it might have should Central Texas not see significant rainfall in the near future. In addition to near-certain mandated cuts for so-called firm wholesale water customers of the Lower Colorado River […]
Posted inResources
Changes likely coming for Water Utility impact fees
Members of the Austin City Council began their periodic review of a set of fees set by the Austin Water Utility for new development with a fair amount of skepticism. At last week’s work session, Mayor Lee Leffingwell raised questions about a move – endorsed by the city’s Water and Wastewater Commission, but not […]