Featured Items
News - Water Wells Program: The City of Austin recently adopted a new ordinance related to water wells. This ordinance includes registration requirements that apply in conjunction with the drilling of water wells, the installation of water well pumps and other closely related activities. Find out more....
Special Program Areas
Backflow Prevention
The heart of our water protection program is preventing backflows, or water flow reversals where non-potable water or other substances is forcibly siphoned into the drinking water system. Austin Water Utility administers a backflow prevention program in conjunction with federal, state and local codes to ensure that backflow prevention devices are installed and maintained where backflow may be a risk. Our program has minimum requirements for backflow prevention assembly (BPA) installation, testing, maintenance, and reporting.
Auxiliary Water Sources
Austin Water Utility administers City, state and federal rules and regulations applying to auxiliary water sources (e.g., reclaimed water or well water) used with public water system service as these sources may not meet drinking water standards. Auxiliary water is any water, except drinking water, or a mixture of water and anything else from any source that is pressurized for use, treatment, or disposal on or available to a site served by Austin Water Utility.
Temporary Water Service
There are strict rules regarding the use of any public or private fire hydrant and the Austin Water Utility provides tap permits for temporary fire hydrant meters for customers needing water for construction purposes. Typically, the meter will be installed on a designated fire hydrant or vehicle owned by the customer.
Private Fire Hydrants
Facilities with privately-owned fire hydrants are responsible for ensuring that they will work as designed for fire suppression. This involves meeting important testing and maintenance requirements.
