Water is life, and in Austin, every drop counts. With ongoing droughts, population growth, and a changing climate, our supply of this critical resource is at risk. That’s why Austin Water is working to expand our city’s recycled water network with the Purple Choice program — a simple, powerful way to protect our lakes, and the natural environment that depends on them, by saving billions of gallons of drinking water every year.
When you sign up for Purple Choice, your $6 monthly contribution helps build Austin’s water recycling system faster. This network of purple-colored pipes beneath our streets carries recycled water, also known as reclaimed water, which is wastewater collected from homes and businesses that’s cleaned and treated to a high standard in our facilities. Recycled water isn’t for drinking, but it’s perfect for irrigating landscapes, flushing toilets, and cooling buildings. And using recycled water for these purposes extends the supply of water from our lakes for drinking water.
Every gallon of recycled water is one gallon saved from the Highland Lakes, our city’s primary water source. By conserving these precious natural resources and growing our water recycling network, we’re ensuring a sustainable future for all of Austin. Choose purple by opting into the program today!
Click here to Choose Purple!
Austin Water customers can opt into the program on their City of Austin Utilities bill. Once you are logged in, choose the Manage Billing option (Under Billing and Payment) and select Charity Contributions. You can opt out anytime. For more information about the program, check out the frequently asked questions menu below.
- Purple Choice FAQs
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What is recycled (or reclaimed) water?
Recycled water is also known as reclaimed water. It’s wastewater taken from the drains of homes and businesses, then treated and used again for non-drinking purposes, like watering lawns, flushing toilets, cooling tower systems and other industrial use. The recycled water travels through special purple-colored pipes to indicate that it’s different from drinking water.
Using recycled water extends our water supply by using drinking water just for drinking. Austin Water started building out a recycled water system in the 1990s, and today that network stretches more than 70 miles. With future demands on our water supply including ongoing growth and the threat of drought, we’re preparing for the future by expanding this system.
What is the Purple Choice program?
Purple Choice is a voluntary monthly contribution supporting the growth of Austin’s recycled water infrastructure.
Austin Water customers can opt-in on their City of Austin Utilities bill. Once you are logged into your account, choose Manage Billing (Under Billing and Payment) and then select Charity Contributions. You can opt out anytime.
Why should I subscribe to Purple Choice?
Purple Choice empowers Austin Water customers to fight back against the threat of drought and protect Austin’s natural environment. Recycling wastewater for non-drinking purposes uses less water from Lake Austin and Lake Travis, the major sources of our city’s drinking water supply. When you subscribe to Purple Choice, you are investing in a sustainable water future that meets everyone’s needs, even in a changing climate.
How does subscribing to Purple Choice impact Austin’s water supply?
When customers have access to recycled water, we use less drinking water for things that don't require that level of treatment. By subscribing to Purple Choice, you’re supporting the expansion of the city’s water recycling network and getting more major water users connected to system, protecting our drinking water supply for everyone.
