Austin residents no longer have to wait for their monthly bill to understand how much water they used.
Over the years, the city has installed 250,000 smart water meters and introduced the My ATX Water portal. Now, Austin Water is officially celebrating the launch of personalized Home Water Reports.
The tool, available through the My ATX Water portal, helps customers see how their water use compares to their peers and neighbors, track usage in near real-time, catch leaks and conserve water in a region where every drop matters.
“People love it,” said Scott Sticker, a lead on the My ATX Water program. “They say, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize I was using so much water,’ or, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize I was doing such a good job.’ Across the board, the reactions have given a lot of thanks.”
Project timeline: the path to 250,000 meters
Building a smarter water future took time and teamwork. Here is the path Austin took to reach 250,000 smart meters:
2021: the large-scale installation project began following a successful pilot programAugust 13, 2024: the final meter was installed, marking the official completion of the project2025: crews finished a few straggler meters; special cases where units were paved over or required unique componentsSummer 2025: Austin Water began sending out the first monthly Home Water Reports to help customers manage peak summer usage
Austin Water team installing a smart water meterReal-time data that helps residents spot problems
Before the upgrade, city staff read meters manually once a month. For most customers, their total water use was a surprise that arrived with their bill.
Now, readings happen in near real-time, allowing residents to see exactly when they use water.
This early detection has led to some unexpected discoveries. One resident used the portal to figure out their “leak” was actually their cat turning on a motion-sensor sink tap while they were away. Others have used the tool to find:
Hoses left running in the front yardIrrigation systems running at the wrong times, or off-scheduleHidden plumbing leaks that are not obvious to the eye
Personalized reports and community savings
So far, nearly 67,000 residents have registered for the portal, and every customer with an upgraded meter has the potential to join. If a resident finds they’re using more water than others, the portal provides several features to help them save:
Customized profiles: they can tell the portal how many people live in their home or if they have low-flow appliances, to receive more accurate, personalized tipsRain reminders: after it rains, the city sends messages encouraging residents to turn off their irrigation systems to avoid wasteRebates for a water-wise future
Beyond tips from the My ATX Water portal, Austin Water offers resident rebates to offset the cost of water-saving upgrades:
WaterWise Landscape Rebate: offers up to $3,000 per property (roughly $100 per 100 square feet) for replacing traditional turf with native plantsYear-round incentives: rebates are available for rainwater harvesting systems, pool covers and weather-based irrigation controllers
Native landscapingWhy it matters
This initiative is a major part of the Water Forward plan, Austin’s 100-year strategy to ensure a reliable water supply for the next century. Central Texas is prone to extended droughts, and these tools help the community move from being reactive to being proactive.
Click here to learn more about the My ATX Water portal today.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.