Rollingwood City Council gave approval Sept. 18 for the city's utility commission to begin the process of obtaining alternative sources of water, including from Blue Water Systems.

The 54-mile Blue Water pipeline connects an aquifer in East Texas to a point roughly a mile from the city of Austin's water system, Rollingwood Mayor Barry Bone said.

"If an agreement could be reached with Austin [and Blue Water Systems], that water could be potentially wheeled through Austin into Rollingwood," Bone said. "I don't know if this has a chance of happening, but I don't want to sit by and do absolutely nothing when we are in a historic drought."

Rollingwood City Engineer Susan Smith said the cost of connection could be substantial, but as Austin works with the Lower Colorado River Authority, it could be something the entities would consider.

"In past times it might seem crazy [to consider something like this], but right now a lot of things are happening. There are a lot of folks out there that don't have water," Smith said.

Bone said Austin has been considering other options related to water supplies and may take the proposal into consideration.

"They may say, 'You are crazy and we don't want to do this,' but the fact is we are reaching a critical time. I would like to begin a soft process of discussing this and gather facts so we can consider this," he said.

Alderman Sara Hutson said she thinks there are more practical solutions, such as finding ways to use the Rollingwood's water more efficiently.

Hutson said the average Austin home uses about 9,000 gallons a month, but there are some homes in Rollingwood using 10 times that amount in a month.

"I think we should look at better conservation and better monitoring [of water usage]," Hutson said.

She also said she thinks the city should look at more ways to use gray water—water that has already been used in places in homes such as in the shower—for irrigation.

"That is water we have already paid for," Hutson said. "The trees don't care."

The utility commission will begin investigating the cost of a connection to Blue Water, as well as other alternatives, and report back to council.