Photo collage containing images of Austin Water employees, construction workers, and water infrastructure including pipes and treatment facilities.

Obtaining Reclaimed Water Service

Reclaimed water is recycled from wastewater generated by homes and businesses and treated for non-potable uses. It is clear, has no noticeable odor and is harmless to humans through normal contact. It meets all state and federal requirements for non-potable use, and costs as little as half the price of drinking water.

Why Reclaimed Water Matters

In 2018, City Council adopted Water Forward, Austin's 100-year integrated water resource plan. One of its key strategies is expanding reclaimed water use in new commercial development to diversify our water supply and prepare for the effects of climate change.

Reclaimed water connection requirements have been in effect since 2015. In September 2021, the City adopted amendments to Land Development Code Section 25-9 that updated those requirements.

Who Must Connect

Under Land Development Code Section 25-9-412, commercial, multifamily and mixed-use developments within 250 feet of Austin Water's reclaimed water mains must connect to the reclaimed water system for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling. For large projects with 250,000 square feet or more of gross floor area, the mandatory connection distance increases to 500 feet.

To find out if your project is within the required distance, check the reclaimed pipe network in Austin Water's Records Access Application (RAA) — an online GIS viewer available to external organizations — or email ReclaimedWater@austintexas.gov. To request RAA access, complete the Austin Water GIS Data Request Form.

A Service Extension Request is required for properties more than 100 feet from the reclaimed water system.

Incentives for Connecting

Austin Water offers several incentives through the Go Purple program for projects connecting to reclaimed water.

Reclaimed Main Extension Pilot Incentive Program Application – Austin Water pays up to $500,000 per qualifying project
Expedited Building Plan Review Rebate Application – Austin Water pays up to $36,000 per qualifying project
Dual Plumbing Rebate Application – Austin Water pays up to $1,000,000 per qualifying affordable housing project
PACE Financing Study – Austin Water assists applicants with documenting eligible water savings and project costs
Voluntary Reclaimed Water Connection Rebate Application - Austin Water pays up to additional $100,000 per qualifying project

How to Get New Project Approval

Step 1: Site Plan Approval

Complete the reclaimed meter demand sheet (Excel) and get it approved. Include the approved sheet in the site plan with reclaimed design per Utility Compliance Services requirements. Additional submission resources are on the Pipeline Engineering page.

If your project will excavate 25 feet or more in the Downtown Austin Project Coordination Zone (DAPCZ), or 300 feet or more in the full-purpose City of Austin jurisdiction, Austin Utility Location and Coordination Committee (AULCC) review is required.

Request an Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) for cross connection testing from Utility Compliance Services and include the AMOC in your site plan submittal.

Step 2: Building Permit Approval

Commercial Plan Review approval from Austin Water's Utility Compliance Services is required before Austin Development Services will issue a construction permit.

Step 3: Construction Inspections

Complete commercial site and subdivision inspections for utility lines in the right of way. Schedule a pre-construction meeting and work with your inspector for a cross connection test.

Step 4: Annual Testing

Annual backflow prevention assembly tests and cross connection tests are required for all projects using reclaimed water.

Resources