Alternative Water Sources

Alternative water is any water other than Austin Water’s potable drinking water. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Lake or River Water
• Well Water
• Reclaimed Water
• Onsite Water Reuse Systems
  • Rainwater
  • Stormwater
  • Condensate water
  • Graywater
  • Other non-sewage originated water

Cross connection prevention on alternative water systems has three (3) main elements:

1. Ensure that new alternative water systems are not connected to the potable drinking water system without appropriate backflow protection.
2. On all sites with alternative water systems, ensure that the public drinking water distribution system is protected by an approved containment backflow protection assembly located immediately downstream of all City water meters and City service lines to private fire lines.
3. Perform periodic Cross Connection Tests (CCT) to verify that the private potable drinking water system and the alternative water systems are not connected without appropriate backflow protection.

Please review the Alternative Water Requirements.

Reoccurring Inspections

After an alternative water system is reviewed, inspected, and approved, reoccurring inspections and CCTs are required as follows:

• Inspections and CCTs for black-water sourced alternate water systems shall occur annually.
• Inspections and CCTs at multi-family, industrial, institutional, or commercial sites with alternative water systems shall occur once every four (4) years.
• For residential sites, there is no requirement for reoccurring testing after the initial test.
• CCTs and inspections are required at any time the potable water system or alternate water system is substantially altered or when required by the authority having jurisdiction. Alternate testing requirements and procedures may be authorized by the authority having jurisdiction.

Inspection and CCT procedures are based on the adopted City of Austin plumbing code.

The CCT and required inspections must be performed by licensed testers registered with the Austin Water Special Services Division (SSD). For a list of Water Supply Protection Specialist (WSPS) and Customer Service Inspectors (CSI) authorized to perform the test, refer to the Active Water Service Technicians List.

For more information on how to become a WSPS or CSI with the City of Austin, review the Customer Service Inspector Eligibility Requirements.

Plan Review Process

Austin Water (AW) requires a Site Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for customers using an alternative water source. This certifies the customer’s compliance with Water Protection Program requirements for protecting the drinking water system and for setting and retaining potable and/or reclaimed water service meters. This plan review process gives you an overview of CO requirements; however, this does not cover all City of Austin requirements.

Most of the requirements to install and use alternative water may be found in Chapter 16 of the latest adopted Plumbing Code, as amended (Austin Plumbing Code as amended); and Chapters 290 and 210 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Permitting and Inspection

We must permit and inspect private plumbing (potable water, wastewater and drain waste and vent) and private alternative water piping (including the alternative water source system and its use, including irrigation, cooling tower, toilet, urinal or other waste flushing). The applicant must receive and sign the inspection document and the Developer’s/Contractor’s Check List when the application is submitted.

Drawings and Specifications

Austin Water requires the following drawings and specifications to apply for a CO or water meter installation:

• Drawings with application submittal, and
• All private piping inspections (plumbing, irrigation, or process)

Regardless of other information required by other entities, this set of drawings and specifications and written processes must be delivered to:

Austin Water
Special Services Division
3907 South Industrial Drive, Ste.100
Austin, TX 78744-1070

Required Meetings

There will be an initial meeting with Special Services Division to review the process and requirements then a final meeting to finalize the following:

• Formalize the role of the water customer and Austin Water in safely operating the facility and required activities in the event of an accident or emergency.
• Provide name, title and contact information of the conjunctive alternative water system operator on the premises.
• Provide name, title and contact information of the Austin Water contact to assist with an accident, emergency or any other routine matter.

Alternative Water Use Site Testing and Inspection

In addition to inspecting and testing plumbing and process piping to confirm approved materials and methods are used in the system’s installation, sites with alternative water use require a set of inspections and tests designed to prevent and identify cross connection between potable water (drinking water) piping and any other on-site piping system, especially those containing hazardous materials.

The inspections and tests shall be performed after all piping on site is installed, pressure tested and accepted by plumbing inspections department (green tagged). Potable water must never be used to fill or test an alternative piping system (without proper use of an RPZ backflow preventer) even during construction. Alternative water systems are not normally constructed using the same processes designed to produce a sanitary piping system. Their interconnection for filling could contaminate the potable, drinking water system. The inspections and tests are to be performed before any connection has been made to any alternative water source. (i.e., reclaimed water meter may not be set, well, rainwater or other pumps may not be started, etc.)

Alternative Water Utility Cross Connection Testing (CCT)

Austin Water alternative water customers must use a qualified inspector to perform the initial inspections. The inspector shall look for proper safeguards on the site to minimize the risk of exposure and /or cross connections. The inspection will also include a process of pressurizing and venting the various piping systems to confirm if the potable water and alternative water piping systems are cross connected or separate. This initial test will be performed using a protected water source of potable water before the alternative source is activated. Subsequent tests will be made using the alternative water system supply.

Final Check List and Activation

When the CCT is complete, the inspector will certify the results with the CCT Form, then deliver the certificate to Special Services Division at the address listed above.

This completes the checklist to set the reclaimed water meter and/or activate other alternative water systems and receive approval for the CO. (Note: AW’s approval to issue a CO does not release holds or requirements placed by other agencies or organizations.)