News

• Lake Water Protection Program: The City of Austin recently revised rules for boats, marinas and shore facilities to ensure that sewage is managed appropriately and the City’s water supply is protected. The rules address permit requirements and other requirements related to boat sewage and sanitation facilities.
• Water Wells Program: In 2012, the City adopted rules regulating water wells. These include registration requirements that apply in conjunction with the drilling of water wells, the installation of water well pumps and other closely related activities.

Featured Items

• Forms, Applications and Reports
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• New Water Environmental Integrated Recordkeeping System (WEIRS) [Technician Login]
• Other Water Protection Resources
• Rules and Regulations 
• Water Service Technicians List (e.g.: Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers, Customer Service Inspectors, Private Fire Hydrant Contractors, etc.)  

Special Program Areas

Backflow Prevention

The heart of our program is preventing backflows, events in which the flow of water is reversed and non-potable water or other substances are forcibly siphoned into the drinking water system. Austin Water 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.

• Backflow Prevention Overview
• Backflow Prevention Assemblies
• Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Information
• Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Registration Instructions
• Water Protection Hazard List
• Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies List
• Test and Maintenance Requirements

Auxiliary Water Sources

Austin Water 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.

• Overview
• Plan Review Process
• Water Supply Protection Specialist / Customer Service Inspector List

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.  Contact Austin Water's Taps office for applications and more information.

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.

• Private Fire Hydrant Maintenance Requirements
• Approved Private Fire Hydrant Contractors
• Fire Hydrant Recalls