Ordinance requires 'adequate' water supply for Austin event attendees

AUSTIN (KXAN) – This will be the first Austin Symphony July 4 concert since a new rule went into effect, requiring events to provide an adequate supply of water to attendees. 

A rule submitted by the Austin Center for Events (ACE) requires organizers of larger events to provide water to attendees at a rate of a pint an hour. Additionally, the ordinance necessitates the water be sanitary and that there be enough restrooms for guests.

“One of the most important things that we talk with event organizers about is having those plans for hydration and evacuation if needed,” said Captain Christa Stedman, a public information officer with Austin-Travis County EMS.

The ordinance was approved in September 2023 and went into effect November 2023. 

A spokesperson for Austin Public Health said the Independence Day event will feature four large water filling stations, multiple city water fountain locations and thousands of bottles of water for sale. 

As temperatures rise, so do the number of calls to ATCEMS about heat-related illnesses. 

Stedman said many ATCEMS event paramedics prepared to treat those symptoms will be staffed at Thursday's Fourth of July event. 

"It's Austin in the middle of the summer. [Heat illness] is going to happen. And that's unfortunately, just the reality that we live in, here,” she said.