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Austin Water

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

System Maintenance

Austin Water invests in infrastructure upgrades and proactive maintenance to ensure reliable water and wastewater service across the Austin area.

Managing Water Loss

The American Water Works Association and Texas Water Development Board establish industry standards for water loss using a metric called the Infrastructure Leak Index (ILI). ILI measures leakage from mains and service lines, scaled to account for the number of connections, miles of pipe and system pressure — but not for population or overall water use, which varies from city to city. Austin Water's ILI for 2024 was 5.44.

Austin Water is implementing recommendations from the Water Loss Review, Analysis and Optimization Report (PDF), completed Oct. 1, 2024. Recommendations address:

  • Improving proactive leak detection
  • Leveraging the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network through District Metered Areas
  • Increasing investment in service line replacements
  • Improving production meter accuracy
  • Improving data management related to water demand and water loss
  • Increasing staff training on water loss reduction

Texas Water Development Board Water Loss Audits

Pipeline, Valve and Treatment Plant Maintenance

Austin Water uses a range of methods to detect and repair leaks in the water distribution system. Field crews canvas the system using hydrophones and other listening devices, and tethered or free-swimming sensors can detect leaks from inside a pipe or main. Satellite imagery is also analyzed to identify areas likely to have leaks.

Zebra mussels were first detected in Lake Travis in 2017 and have since spread through Lake Travis and Lake Austin, the sources of Austin's drinking water. The invasive species attaches to surfaces such as grates, screens, pipes and valves, interfering with water treatment operations, increasing the energy required to pump water and potentially affecting the taste and odor of drinking water.

Austin Water manages zebra mussels at its three water treatment plants through an ongoing program that includes:

  • Routine cleaning and removal of zebra mussel shells from screens and other infrastructure
  • Annual underwater inspections and pressure washing of grates and submerged infrastructure by contracted divers
  • Camera-equipped rovers to inspect pipelines and underwater infrastructure not accessible by divers
  • More frequent taste and odor monitoring of drinking water
  • Copper sulfate pentahydrate feed systems at all three treatment plants to deter infestation in the raw water pipelines from the lakes

Sewer System Smoke Testing

Austin Water regularly performs smoke testing throughout the city to locate defects in the sanitary sewer system. The process typically takes a few hours and involves forcing smoke-filled air into the sewer lines. Smoke only escapes to the surface where defects exist. The smoke used is non-toxic, odorless and non-staining.

You do not need to be home during smoke testing, and there is no disruption to your normal water service. For questions or to report smoke in your home, contact Austin Water's 24/7 Dispatch at 512-972-1000.

How You Will Be Notified

Austin Water distributes door hangers with information about the smoke testing process and contact information before testing begins. A follow-up notification is sent 2 to 3 days before the scheduled test date. Smoke testing is normally conducted between 8 a.m.–3 p.m. and requires dry ground. Rain may delay scheduled testing.

Preparing for Smoke Testing

  • If anyone in your home or business has breathing problems or mobility limitations, call Austin Water Dispatch at 512-972-1000 before testing begins.
  • If any floor drains or toilets have not been used recently, pour at least three cups of water into them the day before the test.
  • As an extra precaution, tie a damp rag around the drain opening of your washing machine to prevent smoke from entering around the drain pipe.

If Smoke Enters Your Home

Open a window or turn on a fan in the affected room and leave the area for 10 to 15 minutes or until the smoke clears. Smoke typically disappears within a few minutes and leaves no residue. Contact a plumber to find and repair the source of the leak.

While the smoke itself is non-toxic and harmless to people and pets, defects in private plumbing can allow harmful sewer gases to enter your home. Keep pets away from areas where smoke is present.

Contact Austin Water Dispatch at 512-972-1000 to report smoke in your home.

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