Water Forward Drought Supplies
One of the key drivers of the Water Forward Plan was the 2008–2016 drought, when inflows and combined storage volumes in Lakes Travis and Buchanan reached historic lows. The major water supply projects in the plan are designed to augment Austin's access to water during drought, when core surface water supplies are limited.
Major Supply Projects
- Aquifer Storage and Recovery
Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) is a water storage strategy in which water is stored in an aquifer during wetter periods and recovered when needed. Storing water underground improves drought preparedness in the same way a reservoir does, while eliminating water loss from evaporation that occurs in open above-ground reservoirs.
- Indirect Potable Reuse
Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) is included in Water Forward as an emergency water supply strategy for infrequent use during only the most severe drought situations. IPR would convey highly treated reclaimed water from a wastewater treatment plant to Lady Bird Lake, where it could be diverted and treated to drinking water standards. This strategy is combined with the Capture Local Inflows to Lady Bird Lake strategy, which would use portions of the IPR infrastructure outside of severe drought conditions to capture local inflows from Barton Springs and other creeks. Both strategies are planned to be online by 2040.
- Off-Channel Reservoir
An Off-Channel Reservoir (OCR) is a water storage strategy in which a reservoir is constructed away from the main river channel and filled by pumping water from the river during wetter periods. The stored water is then available to supply drinking water during dry times. This strategy is planned to be online by 2070.
- Brackish Groundwater Desalination
Brackish Groundwater Desalination is a longer-term water supply strategy in which salty groundwater is treated to drinking water standards. This strategy is planned for implementation by 2070.
Aquifer Storage and Recovery
When water supplies are plentiful, an ASR system stores available drinking water in a natural aquifer underground. When regular water supplies become scarce during a drought or other emergency, the stored water is pumped out, tested and treated to meet Austin's drinking water standards before distribution.
- Project Background
From 2008 to 2016, a historic drought reduced water in the Highland Lakes to historically low levels. In response, Austin Water created Water Forward, a 100-year plan approved by Austin City Council that includes conservation, reuse and water supply strategies to ensure a diversified and sustainable water future for Austin. ASR is one of the water supply projects included in Water Forward.
An ASR system will help make Austin's water supply more prepared for climate change and drought, and can provide a secondary source of water during emergencies such as freeze events or flooding. The system will store water available under the City's existing water rights, allowing Austin to maximize local water resources.
Austin Water wants to work with stakeholders to develop a project that provides regional benefits. As Central Texas continues to experience rapid population growth and increasing water demands, innovative strategies like ASR will be critical to securing the region's water future.
- Project Update — November 2025
Austin Water began a scientific study in 2022 and, after evaluating aquifers across eight counties, identified the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in Bastrop County as the preferred focus area for field testing. However, in November 2025, Austin Water withdrew a proposed collaboration agreement with Bastrop County entities from the Austin City Council agenda and is no longer pursuing the ASR project in Bastrop County.
Austin Water will continue to advance water supply storage strategies included in the Water Forward Plan. The project background, technical findings and community engagement work from the Bastrop County study will inform future ASR site evaluations.
- ASR Resources