The most recent version of Water Forward has been approved by the Austin City Council, charting a route for the Texas capital to meet its water demands for the next century. The council’s approval of the 2024 update to Austin’s Integrated Water Resource Plan, together with changes to the Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan, is a major step in tackling the city’s persistent problems with population expansion and droughts brought on by climate change. In an announcement that AustinTexas.gov was able to get, Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax said, “Today’s adoption allows us to advance our much-needed 100-year Water Forward strategies.”
The initial Water Forward Plan, which was created in November 2018, set the groundwork for Austin’s integrated approach to water resource management. The revised 2024 strategy builds on these previous approaches by incorporating community input and new technical analysis and modeling. The importance of community input was emphasized by Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson, who stated, “The foundation for the portfolio of strategies in this updated plan are based on input from the community we serve alongside the most recent population and climate projections that will impact the lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes system that provides Austin’s drinking water supply.”
The Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force, which was created by the Council, increased the community’s influence over the water plan. Additionally, Austin Water used the University of Texas at Austin’s climate projection skills and consulted consultants to assess its water loss program. A Community Ambassador Group furthered its dedication to inclusivity by assisting historically marginalized populations in participating in the Equity and Affordability Road Map of the plan.
The 2024 Water Forward Plan’s strategies are supported by the updated ancillary plans, such as the Drought Contingency Plan and Water Conservation Plan. Updated drought stage watering limits, more aggressive per-person water use targets, and water loss reduction goals are some of the new components that are set to complement the overall plan. Roalson told AustinTexas.gov that “it will take everyone’s commitment to conservation, reuse, and investing in long-term supply strategies,” reaffirming that everyone has a shared duty to ensure Austin’s water future.
The updated Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans, as well as the 2024 Water Forward Plan, are available to Austinites who want to delve deeper into the specifics of their city’s water future at the Water Forward portion of the City of Austin’s official website. This thorough roadmap lays out a course for the future that involves not only legislation but also a cooperative community effort where every drop matters in preserving the city’s water resources for future generations.
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