Description
Title: Authorize an amendment to the contract for engineering services for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot and Program Management Project with HDR Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $15,726,269, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $21,726,269. Funding: $15,726,269 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water.
Summary
The City of Austin is advancing its water supply strategies through a contract amendment for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) and Brackish Groundwater Desalination projects. Scheduled for City Council consideration on May 28, 2026, the amendment seeks $15,726,269 to support detailed field testing on City-owned land in Eastern Travis County. This initiative is part of Austin's Water Forward Plan, aimed at ensuring sustainable and resilient water resources in response to climate challenges and population growth. The ASR method involves storing treated water underground for later use, akin to a "water savings account," while desalination will treat brackish groundwater for drinking purposes. The outcomes will inform future pilot projects and community engagement efforts, enhancing water supply