The City of Austin is planning for the future… and it needs your help. Our city’s water utility, Austin Water, is currently in the process of developing Water Forward, a 100-year plan that will ensure that Austin has a diversified, sustainable, and resilient water future into the next century.

Why do we need a plan?
Currently all of our drinking water comes from one source – the Highland Lakes, which are fed by the Colorado River. During our last drought, the lakes dipped to dangerously low levels and according to studies, climate change will likely only lead to more prolonged droughts.

So far, our community has already taken conservation very seriously. As Austin Water reports, water use today is about the same as it was in the late 1990s, despite the fact that Austin is now home to about 300,000 more people. With the Water Forward plan, Austin Water hopes to continue this culture of conservation into the future, while looking for new and innovative water supply sources and conservation measures. More info>>

How can I participate?
Austin Water is hosting a “Water Forward Public Workshop” on Tuesday, April 4th from 6pm to 8pm at One Texas Center on Barton Springs Road. At the workshop, you’ll be able to learn more about the plan, as well as provide your input. Not an expert? Don’t worry. You don’t need any prior knowledge about water issues to attend. More info>>