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Q: Do I have to connect to the City of Austin water and wastewater services?
A: No. If your home or building is currently served by a septic system, connection to the centralized sewer is required
only if the septic system fails and needs major repair, or if the structure is substantially modified (add-ons and room
additions). In addition, connection to the centralized sewer may be required to meet lending institution requirements for
certification of the sewage disposal method.
Q: Can I connect to one of the services and not the other?
A: Yes, but each of the services will have to be metered separately. The meter for the service not connected to the city will
have to be installed by the property owner and at the property owner's expense.
Q: How long will construction take?
A: Once it begins, construction should take about a year.
Q: What are the costs associated with connecting to the City of Austin's water and wastewater system?
A: Fees paid to the City include $58.60 each for inspection of water or wastewater taps and a tap fee of $159 to $188
for water meters. In addition, there is a $47 fee for inspection of the septic tank abandonment. (NOTE: These fees apply
only to 2009, and may vary from year to year.) Typically, the City also collects a Capital Recovery Fee (CRF) of $400
to $1,000 (depending on meter size and location in the City) for new connections to its water and/or wastewater systems.
However, as part of the Service Plan for this annexation, the City Council has waived the CRF for customers who connect
to the system within two years after the date that service is made available.
The property owner is responsible for decommissioning the old septic system, and for extending the new sewer
line from the septic cleanout to the City of Austin service connection located at the right-of-way line
(typically 10 ft. from the curb). A licensed plumber typically does these improvements. Homeowners who
live on the property are permitted to complete the connection. The cost for these improvements varies
depending on the length of pipe, depth of service connection, type of material below ground (e.g. soil or limestone
rock), etc. A plumber can estimate those costs based on characteristics of the property.
Q: Will both water and wastewater systems be constructed simultaneously?
A: Yes, construction on both water and wastewater systems will take place concurrently.
Q: Can I keep my well and switch between city water and well water?
A: A customer can keep a water well after connecting to the City's water system. If the well water is used on site and does
not enter the building, a double check valve backflow prevention device must be installed at the water meter. If the well
water enters the building for any purpose, a reduced zone backflow prevention assembly must be installed at the water meter.
If a customer chooses to discontinue the use of his/her well, it will need to be plugged in accordance with Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations.
Q: Who is responsible for trimming trees to accommodate the construction?
A: Contractors will trim trees based upon plans, City of Austin Code, and direction from the City arborist,
although property owners may hire their own arborist if they prefer to.
Q: How will my trees be protected from construction activity?
A: You might notice that some trees in the neighborhood have already been tagged. AWU takes every possible measure to
protect trees. Temporary fencing or tree planking will be installed to protect trees during construction. These fences
will be in place prior to the beginning of construction and removed after completion of the construction activity.
Q: Will emergency services have access to my residence during construction?
A: Emergency services will have 24/7 access to residences.
Q: What can I expect if there is to be construction in front of my property?
A: If both water and wastewater lines are being installed, the Contractor may be in front of your property several times before
restoration is underway. Once all services are complete, final restorations and landscaping will be done. Before construction
begins in your neighborhood, a "Meet the Contractor" meeting will be held and the Contractor will provide more details
regarding their sequence of construction.
Q: What happens if during construction there is damage to a sprinkler system, fence, or any other property?
A: Any damage that the Contractor causes will be repaired or replaced. Please contact the construction inspector or
call the hotline immediately when any damage occurs. We advise you to document the incident with before and after photos
if possible.
Q: Where will the lines be laid?
A: All of the lines will be located either within the street right-of-way or an easement. Street right-of-way extends
approximately 10 feet from edge of the pavement or curb.
Q: How is the City of Austin going to repair streets damaged by construction?
A: The Contractor will be responsible for returning the streets to the quality that existed prior to start of construction.
Q: How do I specify where I would like my service connection located?
A: You should have already received a form in the mail on which you can specify the preferred location. Forms
were also provided at the neighborhood meeting. If you would like to receive a form, please contact the project
hotline at (512) 684-3232.
Q: If I do not specify the desired location of the wastewater service connection, where will it be located?
A. If the homeowner does not specify a service location, the design engineers will assign a position based on factors
such as topography, site constraints and the location of your septic tank. After the service stubs have been determined,
residents will still have an opportunity to review the plans and request changes at the 60% design phase. Those plans will
be made available at an upcoming neighborhood meeting.
Q: Can property owners install their own line on their property to connect to the wastewater improvements as long as they have it properly inspected?
A: Yes, they can do the work themselves if they reside on the property.
Q: Do you have a list of plumbers who can perform the plumbing work?
A: The City of Austin cannot provide a listing of recommended plumbers because it would create a conflict of interest.
However, the Neighborhood Association may be able to gather this information for residents.
Q: If I am already connected to City sewer and/or water, how does this project affect me?
A: Residents currently connected to a wastewater line will not be affected, although there may be construction on your
street to install fire hydrants or to provide service connections to houses that currently do not have them.
Q: How can I keep up with this project?
A. Residents will have several avenues in which to keep up with this project. Updates will be mailed to residents
at each stage of the project. Neighborhood meetings will be held to allow residents the opportunity to ask questions and
make comments. Prior to the start of the construction phase, a "Meet the Contractor" meeting will be also be held.
In addition, residents can also call the project hotline at 512-684-3232.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? CALL THE ANDERSON MILL WATER AND WASTEWATER ANNEXATION PROJECT HOTLINE AT (512)
684-3232.
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