Six months after adoption, the Austin Water Utility has a preliminary update on new water reuse regulations. The changes made water reuse mandatory for larger developments in the city in the name of water conservation. At the time, Council Member Chito Vela asked that city management report back on the costs of the program, water savings and information about how it might be implemented in low-income buildings. Those answers came in the form of a Sept. 18 memo that was low on details, given the quick turnaround. “Due to the early development status of the projects complying with GoPurple requirements, actual costs and actual water savings are still unknown. No projects have applied for program incentives. No projects have elected to pay any fee in lieu related to on-site reuse requirements,” it notes. As for expanding the program to projects aimed at lower-income residents, which are currently exempt, city staff has promised to report back in January 2025. The memo did include a table of projects that have participated in the program so far, and that can be read below:
