The water coolers that disappeared from the Butler Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake in November could return as soon as next month.

The coolers, provided at no cost by local running stores, were removed from the trail in mid-November after city officials determined that state law requires them to be permitted by the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department. The Austin City Council on Thursday will consider waiving permit fees for shops that provide the water.

The removal of the chilled water rankled some trail users, but city officials called it a safety issue, saying that improperly cleaned or maintained containers could harbor germs that cause illness. Because the water stations are unstaffed, someone could also tamper with the coolers.

If the item passes, the city will waive a total of $650 in permitting fees, including a $310 food establishment permit fee, a $125 one-time permit inspection fee, a $90 mobile food vendor permit fee and a $125 one-time mobile food vendor application fee for each organization that applies with the Austin Parks Department, meets health department regulations and provides free water on city park land for public use. Providers must lock or secure the jugs so nobody can tamper with them.

According to state rules, any food or beverage provided for human consumption must be permitted, even if it’s given away. Water jugs must be washed, rinsed and dried between uses, and the water and ice must come from safe, clean sources.

RunTex began providing water on the trail about 20 years ago. Rogue Running and Luke’s Locker added water stations more recently.

“I think it’s a great service they provide and I felt really horrible when we told them, ‘We’ve got to pull you off the trail, you can’t distribute water,’” Austin City Council member Mike Martinez said. “I just think (waiving the fees) is the least we can do … if they’re still willing to go through the trouble.”

City officials estimate the shops save the city about $100,000 a year by providing the water, Martinez said.

“We are still 100 percent committed to being back on the trail,” said Paul Carrozza, owner of RunTex. “We have a goal of Feb. 1 to be back out there.”

Ruth England, co-owner of Rogue, and Rod Newlin, manager of Luke’s Locker, said they plan to eventually put out water again, too. “We’re just figuring out compliance issues,” Newlin said.

The Trail Foundation installed 10 water fountains at the Johnson Creek Trailhead at MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) earlier this year, but they are shut off during freezing weather. More fountains are planned, but won’t be operational until 2014.