Water Benchmarking
In September 2021, the City of Austin adopted amendments to Section 25-9 of the Land Development Code requiring a Water Benchmarking Application for site plan applications. Section 25-9 was further amended in March 2024.
Purpose
The Water Benchmarking Application gives site plan applicants an opportunity to assess how water will be used in their development projects and identify water reuse and conservation opportunities before construction begins.
Each applicant receives a set of recommendations for improving water use efficiency in their specific project, along with information on the benefits of incorporating those recommendations — such as utility bill savings and available rebates or incentives.
Water Benchmarking is a strategy in the City of Austin's Water Forward Plan to reduce water demand in new commercial development by helping projects identify conservation opportunities upfront and encouraging voluntary adoption of water efficiency strategies. Future implementation will require development projects to establish and adhere to an annual water budget.
Email AW_Benchmarking@austintexas.gov with questions.
Who Must Comply
The Water Benchmarking Application is required for all commercial, multi-family and mixed-use site plan applications submitted on or after Dec. 1, 2021.
Site plan applicants for projects with a total gross floor area of 250,000 square feet or more must also meet with Austin Water staff to discuss the application results before site plan approval. This is an informational meeting covering water efficiency code requirements, water reuse and conservation opportunities for the project and available incentives and rebates.
How to Complete the Application
- Open the Water Benchmarking Application and submit basic project information, most of which can be found in the site plan. Inputs in the benchmarking application should match the data shown in the site plan application where applicable.
- Review the results in a summary dashboard sent to you by email. The dashboard shows how water will be used in your project and provides recommendations and incentive information for reducing water use.
- Complete the follow-up survey in the summary dashboard about the water efficiency measures your project will incorporate. Responses are for data collection purposes only — projects are not required to go beyond current City Code requirements. Note: The Water Benchmarking Application is not complete until the follow-up survey is submitted.
- After submitting your site plan application, an Austin Water reviewer will leave comments in AMANDA if there are discrepancies between the site plan and the benchmarking application. Corrections to either application may be required before site plan approval.
- If your project has a total gross floor area of 250,000 square feet or more, meet with Austin Water staff to discuss your application results.