Liveable City Board Resolution Regarding Water Conservation and Water Treatment Plant 4

WHEREAS, Infrastructure investment, including water, utilities and transportation, is a key factor in Austin’s long-term economic and environmental sustainability; and

WHEREAS, The Austin Water Utility has estimated that the monthly water bills of residential customers will increase by 10 to 15 percent to pay for Water Treatment Plant 4; and

WHEREAS, Scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and at major Texas universities have concluded that climate change will likely lead to significantly warmer temperatures in Central Texas and to greater rates of evaporation and decreases in stream flow in the tributaries that flow into the Colorado river upstream of the Highland Lakes; and

WHEREAS, The current drought, the worst in over half a century, has dropped water levels in the Highland Lakes to 44 percent of their capacity and has already triggered Stage 2 Watering Restrictions throughout Austin; and

WHEREAS, The population of the three county Austin/ Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area is projected to double again within the next twenty years, making efficient use of water and other resources vital; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Austin have consistently expressed a commitment to protecting water resources, water conservation is the most cost-effective strategy to achieve this goal, and recent conservations efforts have met with greater than anticipated success, demonstrating the commitment of Austin residents; and

WHEREAS, Austin’s current average daily water use is estimated by the City of Austin to be 170 gallons per day (GPD) per person, a number far above the State of Texas recommended level of 140 GPD and the City does not yet have a plan to reach the State’s recommended level; and

WHEREAS, The City of San Antonio, through comprehensive conservation methods, has kept its overall water consumption at a constant level since 1987, even while doubling in population; it has already reduced water use to below 140 GPD, with the goal of 116 GPD, thus establishing that water conservation is cost-effective and achievable; and

WHEREAS, Austin has the potential and the resources to meet or exceed the water conservation standard set by San Antonio; and

WHEREAS, Austin is experiencing a recession and the debt savings
gained by delaying any further work on the proposed Water Treatment Plant 4 could amount to many millions of dollars in savings over the next several years; and

WHEREAS, There is every reason to be as fiscally conservative as possible until the national and local economy regain stability; and

WHEREAS, There is no immediate danger of running out of water if we delay the proposed investment in Water Treatment Plant 4, while continuing to explore viable, less costly alternatives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Livable City respectfully requests the Austin City Council to delay any further investment in Water Treatment Plant 4 until the issue can be appropriately considered under the current Comprehensive Planning process, which is required by the City Charter to address potable water, conservation and
environmental resources; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Austin City Council instead commit our city to the most comprehensive water conservation program in the nation, while continuing to explore viable, more cost-effective alternatives to WPT4 as it is currently designed to secure Austin’s clean water supply for the future.