For immediate release: February 25, 2021 Contact:  Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center, 512-974-0590 Response efforts continue after severe winter weather Onion Creek Soccer Complex Open for Water Distribution Tomorrow Austin, Texas – The City of Austin and Travis County continue work to respond and recover from the severe winter weather that occurred last week. Most water distribution sites in the city and the county will be closing today and not reopening. The distribution site at Onion Creek Soccer Complex will open at 9 a.m. tomorrow Friday, February 25. HOME DAMAGE AND REPAIRS Travis County residents seeking to apply for individual assistance for losses can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY. More information is available in the FEMA press release. Frequently asked questions about applying for aid have been produced by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The Development Services Department has established a webpage for emergency repairs information for answers to questions about safety while conducting repairs, which work types require a permit or not, and how to proceed with permitting for an emergency repair. Residents and contractors can also call our emergency repairs permitting hotline at 512-974-1500 or live web chat, both are operational Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. City Council passed an ordinance waiving residential permitting and development fees related to repairing or reconstructing structures, and removing trees and tree limbs damaged as a result of winter weather events. The fees covered by this waiver include permitting, plan review, inspection, demolition, and variance fees for repair of existing structures only, and do not include fees for re-inspections. Austin Disaster Relief Network and Texas voluntary organizations are collaborating with the counties of Bastrop, Hays, Travis and Williamson to include the cities of Austin and Round Rock in a massive cleanup effort. This effort has begun today and residents in these areas can call the crisis clean up toll free number at 1-800-329-8052 for assistance in clearing their homes and removing debris. The "Crisis Clean Up" line will operate Monday-Saturday, 9 am – 8 pm, and Sunday, 1 pm – 6 pm. Homeowners can register for assistance through the "Crisis Clean Up" number until Tuesday, March 2. FOOD A food distribution event will be occurring again tomorrow from noon – 8 p.m. at the Millennium Youth Complex, 1156 Hargrave St.   Austin-Travis County will be providing meals to those with critical need through mass distribution and home delivery.  Contactless curbside food and water drop off is available for vulnerable populations. If you are a home-bound Austinite experiencing food insecurity, you can request a drop-off by calling the ADRN hotline at 512-806-0800.  Yesterday, the state received federal approval for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also known as SNAP to apply for replacement benefits. For more information on SNAP benefits, please call 2-1-1.   SHOWER AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES Shower and laundry facilities have been established at four locations in the community. If you are without water, and need a place to take a shower or wash clothes, please go here to sign up for a time to access those resources. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Individuals who are looking for available City and County resources, as well as other community resources can visit austintexas.gov/weatherinfo or austintexas.gov/infoclimatica for Spanish. City and County departments will also continue to provide updates on social media channels.

City of Austin: Permitting Fees & Requirements Waived to Speed Up Cold Weather Repairs

Permitting Fees and Requirements Waived to Speed Up Cold Weather Repairs   Residential permitting, development fees and certain plumbing permit requirements are waived in response to emergency repair needs Austin City Council passed two ordinances today waiving residential permitting and development fees and certain plumbing permit requirements. These ordinances are in response to the winter weather which has posed widespread and severe property damage due to prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and freezing rain.   City Council passed an ordinance waiving residential permitting and development fees related to repairing or reconstructing structures, and removing trees and tree limbs damaged as a result of winter weather events. The fees covered by this waiver include permitting, plan review, inspection, demolition, and variance fees for repair of existing structures only, and do not include fees for re-inspections.   The City's Plumbing Code requires an individual to obtain a permit for most plumbing activities. Due to cold weather-related damages, the Building Official expects that the number of small-scale plumbing activities will be significant. As a result, normal permit requirements may, in some circumstances, result in delays that are counter to the City's health and safety interests, which include preventing further damage to structures. Therefore, an additional ordinance was passed related to plumbing permits and plumber registration requirements which: Authorize the Building Official to exempt certain plumbing activities from permit requirements from Article 6 (Plumbing Code) of Chapter 25-12 (Technical Code); Extend the deadline to submit a permit application from one business day to five business days from the date the activity starts; Waive City registration requirements for work regulated by the Plumbing Code. "We understand severe weather caused significant damage to building and plumbing infrastructure in Austin. These quick actions from City Council and the Development Services Department allow the City to respond in real time to the needs of our community. Our dedicated staff has been, and will continue to, work throughout this crisis to support the urgent needs of our customers," said Development Services Director Denise Lucas.   For further support, the Development Services Department established a dedicated webpage for Emergency Repairs and Permitting, including a live web chat feature for quick response and a hotline (512-974-1500), operational Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition, the City of Austin launched a new webpage to help residents navigate winter storm repairs. Visitors to www.austintexas.gov/atxrepairs will find information about safety for repairs, plumbers, electricians, and other contractors; code compliance and service requests; the City's emergency permitting process; homeowner's funding assistance; and federal and local assistance programs. About the Development Services Department The Development Services Department (DSD) ensures compliant and sustainable development, supports the environment and urban forest, and helps ensure special event safety. DSD collaborates with partner departments and helps homeowners, business owners, contractors, event managers and area residents understand and apply existing codes and other guidelines designed to help keep our community safe.

Boil Water Notice Lifted for All Customers

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2021 Contact: Media Desk AWPublicInformationOffice@austintexas.gov   Boil Water Notice Lifted for All Customers Residential Customers May Return to Regular Indoor Water Use, All other Emergency Water Use Restrictions Remain in Place   AUSTIN- Austin Water has lifted the boil water notice for all customers. The notice has been in place since Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Customers no longer need to boil water used for drinking, cooking and, making ice. Water quality testing submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has confirmed that tap water meets all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption.   On February 17, the TCEQ required Austin Water, Public Water System ID#TX227001, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of February 23, 2021. "Today we can report that Austin's water system has been restored to normal operations and the boil water notice has been lifted for all our customers," said Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros. "There is still a lot to do to repair water pipelines that were damaged by the freezing weather, but customers should only experience occasional impacts from that work. We are thankful for the community's efforts to conserve water over this past week to help us restore our operations today." "Rescinding the boil water notice today is the result of round-the-clock efforts by Austin Water, as well as actions taken by our community to help their neighbors by using less water," said City Manager Spencer Cronk. "This is a strong community that looks out for each other, and together we've achieved this important milestone in our recovery from last week's freezing event." If customers have questions concerning this matter, visit www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs or follow @austinwater on social media. Austin Water wholesale customers are conducting additional regulatory work in coordination with The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before lifting boil water notice for their customers. Austin Water wholesale districts in this list include: Night Hawk, Travis County WCID 10, Windermere, Creedmoor-Maha WSC, Morningside, Rivercrest, San Leanna, Marsha WSC, Wells Branch MUD, Northtown MUD, Manor, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley Customers of Austin Water wholesale customers listed above should contact their provider directly for the latest updates. Background As a result of the extreme freezing weather conditions, a precautionary city-wide boil water notice was issued on February 17, 2021, due to power loss at The Ullrich Water Treatment Plant. With the reduction of water treatment capacity at Austin Water's largest water treatment facility, and with numerous leaks from freeze damaged water delivery infrastructure as well as private side plumbing, storage capacity and water pressures dropped, causing water outages across areas of the city. Austin Water worked with Austin Energy to bring Ullrich Water Treatment Plant back online within hours. On February 18, 2021, all three Austin Water treatment plants began operating at stable mode and were once again producing more water than Austin was consuming, beginning the process of restoring water service system-wide. A leak detection and repair effort was underway across Austin to repair major water mains, the back-bone of Austin's water delivery system, allowing excess water production to flow into Austin's water reservoirs. On February 19, 2021, as temperatures began to warm, and with road conditions improved, additional deliveries of equipment and water treatment supplies began to arrive at Austin Water treatment facilities expanding water production capacity even further. On February 20, 2021, Austin Water implemented mandatory water-use restrictions and urged customers to limit water use to basic needs, critical for faster refilling of Austin's water reservoirs and improved system pressure. By February 21, 2021, the majority of Austin residents had seen marked service improvements with only small pockets of Austin experiencing the lingering effects of the historic freezing event.  A system-wide water quality testing effort has been underway, with the first all-clear test arriving on February 21, 2021 for the Central Pressure Zone.  Additional all-clear tests arrived on February 22, 2021 for the South, North, and Northwest A Pressure Zones. The all-clear tests for the remaining pressure zones arrived on February 23, 2021. The City of Austin has the all clear to lift the boil water notice for its entire service area. Water Quality Testing Austin Water worked with state officials at TCEQ to establish corrective actions necessary to lift the boil water notice. The actions included analyzing more than 70 water samples from throughout the system across the City. Test results, reviewed by TCEQ officials, indicated that water provided by Austin meets all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption. On February 23, City of Austin issued the all-clear to lift the boil water notice for all customers of Austin Water. Emergency Mandatory Water-Use Restrictions Residential customers may return to regular indoor water use.  However, the following emergency mandatory water-use restrictions remain in place until further notice. These restrictions are necessary to ensure that adequate water supply is available to meet customer needs while the system returns to normal operations. During emergency water restrictions, customers may not: Use water for irrigation or testing of irrigation equipment Wash vehicles, including at commercial car wash facilities Wash pavement or other surfaces Add water to a pool or spa Conduct foundation watering, or Operate an ornamental fountain or pond, other than aeration necessary to support aquatic life Customer Resources Customers can flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc. prior to using for drinking or cooking. Flushing simply means letting the water run to ensure that there is fresh water flowing through your pipes. Follow the following guidelines for flushing: Run all cold water faucets in your home for one minute To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle   Customers can visit  for more information and frequently asked questions.www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs

Mandatory Water Use Restrictions to be Lifted

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2021 Contact: Media Desk AWPublicInformationOffice@austintexas.gov   Emergency Water Use Restrictions to be Lifted Effective Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8 a.m.   AUSTIN - Emergency water use restrictions implemented by Austin Water on February 20, 2021, are scheduled to be lifted on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. The emergency restrictions, urging customers to limit water use to basic needs, were put in place to help the distribution system quickly deliver excess water to Austin's reservoirs and improve overall system pressure.   After a monitoring period, and with an excess of 120 million gallons in reserves, it has been determined that Austin Water's system has safely entered into a healthy range – allowing for lifting of emergency water restrictions.   Water Quality and Cloudy Water Concerns   Customers in the northern and southern most portions of Austin, last to receive all-clear to stop boiling water, may temporarily experience cloudy water due to air in the lines. As customers return to regular water use, the water distribution system will continue equalizing and improving overall system pressure and clarity.   Austin Water worked with state officials at Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to establish corrective actions necessary to lift the boil water notice. The actions include analyzing water samples from throughout the system across the City. Test results, reviewed by TCEQ officials, indicated that water provided by Austin met all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption. No chemical or bacteriological contaminants were detected at any point during the drop in water pressure, water outages, or since issuing the boil water notice.   How to flush water lines:   To flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc… and help clear residential plumbing, simply let the water run for one minute. To ensure that there is fresh water flowing through their pipes follow the simple guidelines below: Run all cold water faucets in your home for one minute; To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard; Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle For more information or questions about flushing, customers can visit www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs or follow @austinwater on social media. Wholesale Districts Retail customers of Austin Water wholesaler districts including Night Hawk, Travis County WCID 10, Windermere, Creedmoor-Maha WSC, Morningside, Rivercrest, San Leanna, Marsha WSC, Wells Branch MUD, Northtown MUD, Manor, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, High Valley, Mid-Tex Utilities, and North Austin MUD 1, may also return to regular water use.

Weather Response and Recovery Updates

City of Austin Launches New Website to Help Residents Navigate Winter Storm Repairs

Feb 24, 2021 01:09 pm

The City of Austin announces a new website to support local residents and business owners whose properties were damaged in the recent winter storm. Visitors to austintexas.gov/atxrepairs will find information about plumbers, electricians, and other contractors; code compliance and service requests; the City's emergency permitting process; homeowner's funding assistance; and federal and local assistance programs.

"Our top priority continues to be helping our community recover from the devastating effects of Winter Storm Uri," said Spencer Cronk, Austin City Manager. "Launching austintexas.gov/atxrepairs is one of many tools implemented to help Austinites rebuild from last week's storm. We believe providing this information in one easily accessible location will help our community repair their properties quickly and safely."

The City of Austin is partnering with multiple governmental agencies and community groups to maintain this list of critical resources for Austin residents and business owners. City staff will update the website as new information and resources become available.

Residents are encouraged to visit the City of Austin's Cold Weather Emergency Resources webpage, austintexas.gov/weatherinfo, for information on water and food distribution, utility outages and services, cold weather shelters, and more. To receive the latest updates on City services, follow @AustinTexasGov on Twitter and like @AustinTexasGov on Facebook.

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La Ciudad de Austin lanza una nueva página web para ayudar a los residentes a navegar por las reparaciones tras la tormenta invernal

Visite www.austintexas.gov/atxrepairs para obtener recursos de ayuda

La Ciudad de Austin anuncia una nueva pagina web para apoyar a los residentes locales y propietarios de negocios, cuyas propiedades fueron dañadas en la reciente tormenta invernal. Quienes visiten www.austintexas.gov/atxrepairs encontrarán información sobre la seguridad para las reparaciones, los fontaneros, electricistas y otros contratistas; el cumplimiento de los códigos y las solicitudes de servicio; el proceso de permisos de emergencia de la Ciudad; la asistencia financiera para los propietarios de viviendas y los programas de asistencia local y federal.
 
"Nuestra máxima prioridad sigue siendo ayudar a nuestra comunidad para que se recupere de los efectos devastadores de la tormenta invernal Uri", dijo Spencer Cronk, administrador de la Ciudad de Austin. "El lanzamiento de www.austintexas.gov/atxrepairs es una de las muchas herramientas implementadas para ayudar a los habitantes de Austin a recuperarse de la tormenta de la semana pasada. Creemos que proveer esta información para ser accesible fácilmente ayudará a nuestra comunidad a reparar sus propiedades de manera rápida y segura."
 
La Ciudad de Austin está asociada con múltiples agencias gubernamentales y grupos comunitarios para mantener esta lista de recursos críticos destinados a los residentes y empresarios de Austin. El personal de la Ciudad actualizará el sitio web a medida que se disponga de nueva información y recursos.
 
Se invita a los residentes a visitar la página web de Recursos de Emergencia para el Clima Invernal de la Ciudad de Austin para obtener información sobre la distribución de agua y alimentos, cortes en los servicios públicos, refugios para el clima frío y más. Para recibir las últimas noticias sobre los servicios de la Ciudad, siga a @AustinTexasGov en Twitter y déle un "me gusta" a @AustinTexasGov en Facebook.

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City of Austin and Travis County Severe Weather Response and Recovery Update 

Feb 24, 2021 08:48 am

City of Austin February winter storm efforts continued Tuesday, February 23.

BOIL WATER NOTICE RESCINDED

The Boil Water Notice has now been lifted for all Austin Water customers. Customers no longer need to boil water used for drinking, cooking and, making ice. The order had been in place since Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Emergency mandatory water-use restrictions have also been lifted.

WATER DISTRIBUTION SITES 

Demand at Austin-Travis County water distributions sites continue to decline with the end of the boil water notice, and the restoration of service to the majority of Austin Water customers.  Distribution sites are being consolidated. The following sites will be open Wednesday February 24 at 9 a.m.:

• Nelson Field, 7105 Berkman Drive
• Roy G. Guerrero Park, 400 Grove Blvd.
• Onion Creek Soccer Complex, 5600 E. William Cannon Dr.
• Lago Vista City Hall, 5803 Thunderbird, Lago Vista, TX 78645
• Village of Point Venture Offices, 411 Lohman Ford Road, Leander, TX 78645
• Jones Brothers Park, 10301 Lakeside Dr, Jonestown, TX 78645

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Austin Code is currently responding to code complaints related to issues resulting from the winter storms.  Residents who are tenants should notify their landlord first if they are without water or electricity. For complaints related to tenant-occupied properties, inspectors are following up to ensure landlords get their properties up to code as quickly as possible.

To report power outages, call 512-322-9100. To report water emergencies visit https://bit.ly/ReportWater

For all other city services download the Austin 311 mobile app or call 311 or 512-974-2000.

A reminder the City has a dedicated websitewith answers and resources for residents who need winter storm related repairs. A dedicated hotline is also available at the following number: 512-974-1500.

The hotline is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Individuals who are looking for additional available City and County resources, as well as other community resources can visit austintexas.gov/weatherinfo or austintexas.gov/infoclimatica for Spanish. City and County departments will also continue to provide updates on social media channels. 

Barton Springs Pool and Deep Eddy Pool Re-opening and Annual Maintenance

Barton Springs Pool and Deep Eddy Pool Re-opening and Annual Maintenance Feb 24, 2021 03:02 pm Barton Springs Pool and Deep Eddy Pool will reopen on Thursday, February 25, 2021 after closures last week due to the Severe Weather Emergency. Admission to both pools is free until further notice. Damage from the storm is still being repaired at Big Stacy, Bartholomew and Springwood Pools. These pools will reopen once structural and plumbing repairs have been completed.  Barton Springs Pool schedule is as follows:   Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28 5 a.m. – 8 a.m. Swim at Your Own Risk 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Guarded Swim 6 p.m. -10 p.m. Swim at Your Own Risk   Monday, March 1 through Friday, March 12 Closed for regularly scheduled maintenance. During this closure, some gravel will be removed from the pool in an effort to return the pool to its natural depth. Access to "dog beach" will be limited as this area will be a staging place for gravel removal equipment.   Saturday, March 13  Modified operational hours resume as posted on website.  Deep Eddy Pool Schedule is as follows: Thursday, February 26 OPEN 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Lap Swim   Friday, February 27 Closed   Monday, March 1 through Friday March 12 OPEN 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. for lap swim all days except Tuesday, March 2 and March 9. Deep Eddy will offer expanded hours while Barton Springs Pool is closed for maintenance. For more information, please call the Barton Springs Pool Hotline at 512-867-3080 or the Austin Parks and Recreation Department's Aquatic Administration and Training Center at 512-974-9330.

For immediate release: February 24, 2021 Contact:  Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center, 512-974-0590 City of Austin and Travis County Releases Updated Water Distribution Sites Austin, Texas – There are updates to the water distribution sites for tomorrow, Thursday, February 25.  WATER DISTRIBUTION SITES  Demand at Austin-Travis County water distributions sites continue to decline with the end of the boil water notice, and the restoration of service to most Austin Water customers.  Distribution sites are being consolidated. The following sites will be open Thursday, February 25 at 9 a.m.:  Nelson Field, 7105 Berkman Drive  Onion Creek Soccer Complex, 5600 E. William Cannon Dr.  Gilbert Elementary School, 5412 Gilbert Rd.   Lago Vista City Hall, 5803 Thunderbird, Lago Vista, TX 78645  Village of Point Venture Offices, 411 Lohman Ford Road, Leander, TX 78645  Jones Brothers Park, 10301 Lakeside Dr, Jonestown, TX 78645  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  Austin Code is currently responding to code complaints related to issues resulting from the winter storms.  Residents who are tenants should notify their landlord first if they are without water or electricity. For complaints related to tenant-occupied properties, inspectors are following up to ensure landlords get their properties up to code as quickly as possible.  To report power outages, call 512-322-9100. To report water emergencies visit https://bit.ly/ReportWater  For all other city services download the Austin 311 mobile app or call 311 or 512-974-2000.  Individuals who are looking for additional available City and County resources, as well as other community resources can visit austintexas.gov/weatherinfo or austintexas.gov/infoclimatica for Spanish. City and County departments will also continue to provide updates on social media channels.

Boil Water Notice Lifted for Customers in Austin Water’s Central, South, North, and Northwest A Pressure Zones

For Immediate Release: February 22, 2021 Contact: Media Desk AWPublicInformationOffice@austintexas.gov   Boil Water Notice Lifted for Customers in Austin Water's Central, South, North, and Northwest A Pressure Zones Boil Water Notice Remains in Effect for all other Austin Water Customers   AUSTIN - Austin Water has partially lifted the boil water notice that has been in place since Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Customers in Austin Water's Central, South, North, and Northwest A Pressure Zones no longer need to boil water used for drinking, cooking and making ice. Water quality testing submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has confirmed that tap water in the Central, South, North, and Northwest A Pressure Zones meet all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption. Customers can view the interactive map to find out if their address is affected by the latest lifted boil water notice. On February 17, 2021, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required Austin Water, Public Water System ID#TX227001, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water in Austin Water's Central, South, North, and Northwest A Pressure Zones no longer requires boiling prior to use as of February 22, 2021. If customers have questions concerning this matter, they may visit www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs or follow @austinwater on social media. Austin Water wholesale customers are conducting additional regulatory work in coordination with The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before lifting boil water notice for their customers. Austin Water wholesale districts in this list include: Night Hawk Travis County WCID 10 Windermere Creedmoor-Maha WSC Morningside Rivercrest San Leanna Marsha WSC Wells Branch MUD Northtown MUD Manor Rollingwood Sunset Valley Customers of Austin Water wholesale customers listed above should contact their provider directly for the latest updates.   Background As a result of the extreme freezing weather conditions, a precautionary city-wide boil water notice was issued on February 17, 2021, due to power loss at The Ullrich Water Treatment Plant. With the reduction of water treatment capacity at Austin Water's largest water treatment facility, and with numerous leaks from freeze damaged water delivery infrastructure as well as private side plumbing, storage capacity and water pressures dropped, causing water outages across areas of the city. Austin Water worked with Austin Energy to bring Ullrich Water Treatment Plant back online within hours. On February 18, 2021, all three Austin Water treatment plants began operating at stable mode and were once again producing more water than Austin was consuming, beginning the process of restoring water service system-wide. A leak detection and repair effort was underway across Austin to repair major water mains, the back-bone of Austin's water delivery system, allowing excess water production to flow into Austin's water reservoirs. On February 19, 2021, as temperatures began to warm, and with road conditions improved, additional deliveries of equipment and water treatment supplies began to arrive at Austin Water treatment facilities expanding water production capacity even further. On February 20, 2021, Austin Water implemented mandatory water-use restrictions and urged customers to limit water use to basic needs, critical for faster refilling of Austin's water reservoirs and improved system pressure. By February 21, 2021, the majority of Austin residents had seen marked service improvements with only small pockets of Austin experiencing the lingering effects of the historic freezing event.  A system-wide water quality testing effort has been underway, with the first all-clear test arriving on February 21 for the Central Pressure Zone. Water delivered to the above-mentioned pressure zone, meets all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption. TCEQ has given the City of Austin the all-clear to lift the boil water notice for portions of the city. Water quality testing will continue, and customers will receive regular updates as the boil water notice is lifted city-wide.   BOIL/SAFE WATER INTERACTIVE MAP: Customers are encouraged to visit www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs to view the interactive map outlining the areas still under boil-water notice and those which have received an all-clear to stop boiling. "I want to recognize and thank the Austin community for answering the call for deep reductions in water use during this extreme deep freeze," said Spencer Cronk, Austin's City Manager. "It is through your actions that Austin Water has been able to stabilize and improve water service for customers across the city. Please continue to conserve water as the work of restoring water service to full capacity continues." "We expect to have all of Austin with water service by today and boil water notice lifted city-wide shortly after," said Greg Meszaros, Director of Austin Water. "Austin Water remains committed to providing safe and reliable water service of the highest quality. As we return to regular operations, we will begin the process of evaluating our systems and identifying ways to improve resiliency across all areas of the utility." Emergency Mandatory Water-Use Restrictions The following emergency mandatory water-use restrictions remain in place until further notice. These restrictions are necessary to ensure that adequate water supply is available to meet customer needs while the system returns to normal operations. During emergency water restrictions, customers may not: Use water for irrigation or testing of irrigation equipment Wash vehicles, including at commercial car wash facilities Wash pavement or other surfaces Add water to a pool or spa Conduct foundation watering, or Operate an ornamental fountain or pond, other than aeration necessary to support aquatic life Austin Water continues to work closely with Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center and city, county and state agencies to coordinate the final stages of the water treatment system recovery. Customer Resources Customers can visit www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs for more information, frequently asked questions and to view the interactive map showing areas of Austin still under the boil-water notice.

City of Austin Resumes Normal Operations, Austin Water Partially Lifts Water Boil Notice

For immediate release: Feb. 22, 2021 Contact:  Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center   City of Austin Resumes Normal Operations, Austin Water Partially Lifts Water Boil Notice The City of Austin will resume normal operations today.   Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) Austin Resource Recovery will resume curbside collections today. Customers are asked to set out carts, bulk and large brush by 6:30 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. Extra bags of trash from last week's missed collection will be collected along with extra recycling and composting at no additional charge. Scheduled large brush and bulk item collections that were missed due to the severe weather will begin today and continue throughout the week. Download the Austin Recycles mobile app or visit austintexas.gov/myschedule Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) The Austin Parks and Recreation Department continues to assess winter storm damage to its facilities. All facilities will remain closed until thorough site inspections are complete; however, parks and trails remain open. For the latest information, please visit austintexas.gov/parkclosures. Austin Water (AW) Overnight water storage figures have exceeded 118 million gallons in reserves, increasing system-wide water pressure and bringing Austin's water system into healthy territory.   AW has partially lifted the boil water notice for the Central Austin area. The water quality meets all regulatory standards and is safe for drinking, cooking, and making ice. Customers can view the interactive map to find out if their address is affected by the latest lifted boil water notice. All other customers remain under a boil water notice and should continue to boil their water for two minutes before consuming.   Under a Boil Water Notice, mandatory water restrictions remain in place.  Customers may not: Use water for irrigation or testing of irrigation equipment Wash vehicles, including at commercial car wash facilities Wash pavement or other surfaces Add water to a pool or spa Conduct foundation watering, or Operate an ornamental fountain or pond, other than aeration necessary to support aquatic life. Violations of these restrictions should be reported to Austin 3-1-1. The boil water notice will remain in place for certain zones until we can do sufficient sampling to establish that the water is safe to drink. Test results generally require 24 hours.   If customers have questions concerning this matter, they may visit www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs or contact 3-1-1.   Water Distribution Community access to free water resources continues through 16 water distribution sites coordinated by the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center. These water distribution sites will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Del Valle High School location will operate starting at 10 a.m.) while supplies last. Nelson Field (7105 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78752)  Onion Creek Soccer Complex (5600 E. William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78744)  Roy G. Guerrero Park (400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741)  ACC Highland Mall Parking Lot (E. Highland Mall Blvd, Austin, TX 78752) ACC Pinnacle Campus (7748 Highway 290 West, Austin, TX 78736) Garrison Park (6001 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745)  Lakeline Station (13625 Lyndhurst Blvd, Austin, TX 78717)  Walnut Creek Park (12138 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753)  Zilker Park (2301 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746)  Anderson High School (8403 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78759)  Lago Vista/Jonestown (7905 Bronco Lane, Leander, TX 78645) Lakeway/Bee Cave (1941 Lohmans Crossing Rd, Lakeway TX 78734) 9300 FM2244, Austin, TX 78733 Del Valle High School (5201 Ross Rd, Del Valle, TX 78617) Manor ISD Athletic Complex (14832 FM973, Manor, TX 78653) Mobile POD - San Leanna Residents are reminded to recycle all single-use plastic bottles and jugs instead of throwing them in the trash.    The City will continue to update information water distribution totals on the Cold Weather and Information Resource page and on the City's social media pages.      Food Distribution   Like many communities, Austin is still navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week's severe weather storm compounded the needs of those in our community who were already facing food insecurity. Austin/Travis County Emergency Management secured approximately 25,000 ready to heat meals from the Red Cross and, in partnership with local organizations, will be implementing a variety of strategies including establishing a mass food distribution site and continuing to offer delivery to home-bound individuals. These efforts strive to fill the gaps of efforts already underway by existing food access providers. Forthcoming information about mass food distribution will be available on the Cold Weather and Information Resource page and on the City's social media pages.    Austin relies on a network of organizations to provide food to our community, including grocery stores and non-profit groups. With improving weather conditions, the City of Austin and Travis County are working diligently to ensure that our critical partners in providing food can restart operations today, including the Central Texas Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, local Independent School Districts, and area grocers. Thanks to countless organizations like Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), Community Resiliency Trust, Cooks Nook, Keep Austin Fed, Good Works Austin, Austin Voices and so many local restaurants, thousands of Austinites have received meals through mass food distribution efforts and home delivery programs. ADRN is coordinating contactless curbside food and water drop off for vulnerable populations through their network of volunteers. Home-bound Austinites experiencing food insecurity can request a drop-off by calling (512) 806-0800.   Austin Energy (AE) Austin Energy continues to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power. A majority of customers whose power was affected by the winter conditions last week have electricity again, and crews continue to work on the remaining outages.   AE provides stable, affordable electric rates to all its customers, their base rates are fixed, and any changes must be authorized by Austin City Council after a thorough rate review process. Residential customers are billed for their actual energy usage, measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), recorded from their electric meter. Anyone without power during this time had no electric use recorded from meters during outage events.   "Restoring power and water to our community has been a daunting task in the wake of last week's devastating storm," said Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk. "I am incredibly proud of our city employees who are working tirelessly around the clock in quite challenging conditions to make sure services are restored. I am also grateful to live in a community with residents who are always so willing and ready to step up and help one another through difficult times." Recovery Assistance   The extended Winter Weather Event order and disaster declaration for Austin remain in effect to minimize energy demand and ensure the community can continue to tap into every resource available to persevere through this crisis.     Recovery Assistance The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened assistance for those who were impacted by the winter severe weather in Travis County. Residents can apply for assistance in the following ways: Uninsured: Apply online at http://DisasterAssistance.gov.  Insured: File a claim with their insurance company and then apply to FEMA. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits if you received insurance from your provider first.   Housing and Planning Department (HPD) The Housing and Planning Department's home repair program can assist eligible homeowners who need repairs following the recent storms. The program provides resources to address the needs of low- to moderate-income homeowners. HPD is working closely with the Development Services Department and leveraging other City resources to provide an efficient response as possible for households seeking repairs.    Information about the City's home repair programs and assistance to qualifying households will be available on the home repair program webpage later today.  Development Services Department (DSD) Beginning Monday, February 22, residents who need to make emergency repairs following the winter storm can contact the DSD Emergency Repairs Team with any emergency repair permitting questions at (512) 974-1500. Some projects may not require permits. Additionally, work can begin right away on projects that present safety hazards the home or business. Those residents should acquire retroactive permits as soon as possible after work begins to ensure their emergency repairs meet code requirements. Austin Public Health (APH) Austin Public Health has begun rescheduling vaccine appointments for the estimated 3,300 patients whose appointments were canceled starting on Feb. 13. If you had an appointment, please check your phone and email frequently for updates. APH has approximately 7,000 first doses and 7,500 second doses remaining from the Feb. 7 state allocation before the winter storm.   All APH-affiliated testing operations will resume their normal schedules on Monday, Feb. 22.   For additional COVID-19 information and updates, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.