Top 2017 Water Waster In Austin Was U.S. Congressman: Report

AUSTIN, TX — U.S. Congressman Mike McCaul was the top water user in Austin during 2017 —with more than 1.4 million gallons of water used at his sprawling West Austin mansion — according to a published report.

The amount could be much higher, the Austin American-Statesman reported. McCaul's status as the top water user is not in dispute given a comparative analysis of other high-volume users across the city, according to the report. But the McCaul family successfully sought a redaction that would have more specifically detailed total usage, the newspaper reported.

McCaul blamed the high water usage on "chronic troubles with their water pipes," according to a statement given to the Statesman by his spokeswoman. The spokeswoman declined to specify how long these piping issues have been experienced, according to the report.

McCaul's $7.3 million West Austin hillside home is one of 22 residences calculated to have used more than 1 million gallons of municipal water last year, according to the report. The tabulation lists Besty Abell, president of the Buena Vista Foundation, as the second-biggest water user with 1,400,900 gallons of water used.

The average Austin Water utility customer uses about 70,000 gallons each year, officials told the newspaper.

Mike McCaul

McCaul, a Republican, is the U.S. Representative for Texas's 10th congressional district, serving since 2005. He has been the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security since the beginning of the 113th Congress. His sprawling district stretches from Austin to Houston.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

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Photo of Mike McCaul via U.S. Congress website