Austin Water head Greg Meszaros resigns following recent boil water notice
AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Water head Greg Meszaros has decided to step down. The move comes after Austin was placed under a boil water notice for four days.
In a memo to City Manager Spencer Cronk, Meszaros announced he is resigning after holding the role since 2007. He stated in the memo that he has embraced his role, but the job does quote, "take a toll." He also says:
"I take full responsibility for any shortcomings at the utility this past week. I also take pride in our many accomplishments."
"While I have loved my job as Director, and I am exceedingly proud of all that my team and I have accomplished over the nearly 15 years I have served as Austin Water's leader, I am ready to step aside."
Cronk issued a memo to Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Austin City Council confirming the resignation saying Meszaros was making a decision to "focus on family and new horizons."
Although Austin residents were told to boil their water, or purchase water bottles to drink during the citywide boil notice, officials say that there were never any contaminants in the water and that the notice was a precaution.
Cronk says he will be identifying an independent third party to facilitate the review of what happened during the recent boil water notice and help identify recommendations and areas of improvement moving forward.
"Honestly Austinites deserve better, and I'm glad to see change is starting at the top," said Mackenzie Kelly, Austin City Council District Six.
Council member Kelly and several other council members are pushing a resolution for a full audit, after the city issued its third boil water notice in four years.
"I believe whenever there is an issue among staff, it is the responsibility of the director to ensure actions are taken, steps are made to correct a situation," said Kelly.
Now she believes the work is only just beginning.
"I requested the after-action reviews for the last five years of incidents that have occurred at Austin Water utility. I’ll be reviewing those this weekend, and I'll bring my findings to the special-called meeting."
Alison Alter is sponsoring the audit resolution. She released a statement:
"Director Meszaros has resigned from Austin Water, but our work to restore public trust remains. I am still moving forward with my call for an independent external audit of our water utility to answer the many questions that I and my constituents have. We must ensure that the pattern of water quality issues does not continue," said Alter.
City Manager Cronk said in the coming days he will appoint an interim director. Kelly is hoping for a widespread search to fill the role.
"What we need to do is get technical experts who really are well versed in what's required to happen in Austin Water to make sure this doesn't happen again," said Kelly.
Kelly acknowledged throughout Meszaros 15 year tenure, there weren't any issues until the past few years. On the positive side, there has been $2 billion worth of infrastructure improvements, and growth accommodation for 400,000 additional people who moved here, all under his tenure.
City officials have scheduled briefings to discuss the boil water notice and provide additional information. The meetings will be:
- Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, 9 a.m.: Special Called Meeting of the Austin City Council
- Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, 6 p.m.: Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission
- Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, 1:30 p.m.: Austin Water Oversight Committee meeting
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