Commission approves seeking up to $5 million TWDB loan to replace polybutylene service lines

The Austin Water and Wastewater Commission unanimously authorized staff to negotiate and execute a 20-year low-interest loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) not to exceed $5,000,000 to fund the polybutylene service-line replacement project, part of the municipal conservation program.

Commissioner Trillie asked what material the utility would use to replace polybutylene lines, noting the language in the staff packet referenced replacing polybutylene. Charles Laurel, assistant director of engineering technical services, said the city’s standard service material is high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and confirmed the replacement would install HDPE service lines from the main to the property meter. “We are actually removing and replacing the existing polygy services in our current standard services HDPE pipe,” Laurel said.

The authorization to pursue the loan is contingent on available funding in future Austin Water budgets, staff said. Commissioner Trillie moved the item and Commissioner Ortiz seconded; the commission voted unanimously in favor.

What happens next: staff will proceed with negotiations on the TWDB financing agreement and return to council/commission as required by Austin Water budgeting and any conditional approvals.