Share your thoughts on Austin Water’s improvements and proposed rate changes

Austin Water is hosting open houses over the next few weeks as a way for customers to learn about their water and wastewater system, planned investments and how these investments may impact rates in the coming year. Rate increases for water and wastewater have been forecast in 2025, which Austin Water chalks up to costs of improving system resiliency and tracking a growing population. A cost-of-service rate study is being conducted now, with a goal of balancing affordability with maintaining critical utility infrastructure for extreme weather. Attendees can ask staff questions and share their feedback at the following times at these Austin Public Library locations and community centers:

• 4–7 p.m. Thursday, May 23: Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 South Fifth St.
• 4–7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29: Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd.
• 4–7 p.m. Thursday, May 30: Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Road
• 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, June 1: Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Lane
• 4–7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4: Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E. William Cannon Drive
• 4–7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5:  Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road
• 8:30–11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8: Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, 808 Nile St.
• 4–7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11: North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave.
• 6–7 p.m. Thursday, June 13: Virtual meeting on Zoom
• 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, June 15: Menchaca Road Branch, 5500 Menchaca Road
• 10 a.m.–1 p.m.Saturday, June 22: Montopolis Recreation & Community Center, 1200 Montopolis

For in-person open houses: No formal presentation will be made. Customers can drop in at any time to view materials and speak with Austin Water officials. For the virtual open house: Austin Water officials will explain the need for the rate study and potential rate impacts. Attendees can ask questions and provide feedback. Click here for information about the meeting and a Zoom link to attend.

For more in-depth conversations, Austin Water is seeking 30 customers to attend two focus groups – up to 15 at each session – on Thursday evening, May 30, or Friday morning, May 31. For language interpretation assistance, contact Austin Water at AWPublicInformation@austintexas.gov. A summary of all feedback will be made available at Austin Water’s website and to customers upon request.