LCRA awards $100,000 grant to Lake Travis-area water district to aid in water conservation efforts

New advanced metering system will help Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 17 monitor water use, detect leaks quickly

Feb. 16, 2023

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas – A $100,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority will help Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 17 install an advanced metering system to help the district and customers more closely monitor water use.

The LCRA Firm Water Conservation Cost-Share Program grant will be added to more than $5 million from the district to purchase and install about 12,800 advanced meters. The new meters will allow the district and its customers to track water use in real time instead of month-long segments. An online portal will allow customers and district staff to set alerts that warn of leaks, analyze water-usage patterns and promote conservation.

Travis County WCID No. 17 is a non-profit public utility that provides water and wastewater services to about 50,000 people in the Lake Travis area in western Travis County.

“More often than not, the worst leaks are the ones that can’t be seen – a toilet, a faucet, faulty irrigation,” said Joseph Kunz, the water district’s operations manager. “You don’t know about that leak until you get your bill at the end of the month, and by the time we’re notified and have made the repair, 45 days have gone by. Now, we’ll be able to catch and clean up those leaks much faster.”

The new meters will be more reliable and require less maintenance than existing systems, and will eliminate the need for manual readings, freeing district employees for other tasks.

For customers, the meters can potentially help lower costs by sending alerts about high water use, allowing them to tend to leaks quickly or reduce their water use during the billing month.

The district estimates it will save about 107 acre-feet – or roughly 34.9 million gallons – of water annually with the new metering system. Over the projected 20-year life of the system, the district expects it will save about $331,000.

John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water, said LCRA strongly supports efforts by Travis County WCID No. 17 and other utilities to reduce water use and promote conservation.

“The new metering system can provide advanced notice – telling the district or water users, ‘Hey, your water use is way higher than usual,’’’ Hofmann said. “Imagine how much water and money can be saved if you detect a leak in two days rather than a month. That’s good for pocketbooks and for our water supply and is an excellent example of responsible water management. We’re in a serious drought, and it’s important for of us to use water efficiently and stop water waste.”

The district will highlight best practices for water conservation through a web portal linked to the new metering system. Customers will be able to track their hourly water usage and even set usage limits when they are away on vacation.

“This grant will assist the district in completing the installation process and getting this exciting technology online as soon as possible,” said Jason Homan, general manager for Travis County WCID No. 17. “This program is a shining example of LCRA’s commitment to helping the community prioritize water conservation in their day-to-day use of this precious natural resource.”

About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.

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