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Most Popular Stories
- The Austin area won’t be seeing a lot of bluebonnets this year. Here’s why.
- SXSW shrinks as indie venues contemplate competitiveness
- Plans to demolish Highland Park home with links to Commodore Perry faces backlash from neighbors
- Eviction crisis spreads as affordability pressures worsen
- City pauses $10M in airport art over concerns local creatives were excluded
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Popular Whispers
- Austin’s minority homeownership gap smaller than national average
- Legislation would make zoning protests more difficult
- Nick Barbaro retires as publisher of ‘The Austin Chronicle’
- Central Health schedules Community Conversation event
- Infrastructure leaders slated to gather at AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
Water
For future water conservation, reuse may be key
Though July’s rain may have eased some fears over the continuing drought, Austin Water is still playing the long game, with plans to prepare for a drier future. Water Resources Supervisor Marisa Flores Gonzalez joined the city’s Water and Wastewater…
Water • By Kali Bramble • Aug 5, 2024
Austin Water tees up to propose rate increases to Council
Austinites can prepare to add their water bill to the list of services getting increasingly more expensive, as a proposal for hikes in utility rates makes its way through City Council’s pipeline. The proposal, which Austin Water unveiled early last…
Water • By Kali Bramble • Jul 8, 2024
Austin Water aims to transform landscape requirements for new homes
Austin Water is planning a landscape transformation initiative for new single-family homes as part of the city’s long-range water conservation strategies, according to a progress report Wednesday to the Water and Wastewater Commission. Kevin Critendon, Austin Water’s assistant director over…
Environment • By Amy Smith • Jun 14, 2024
Leaking city pipes appear to be drought-proofing some Austin trees
Austin loses an estimated 21 gallons of water per person every day, mostly through leaks in the city’s water distribution system. Last year that totaled 8.6 billion gallons lost. Those leaks waste more than water; they drain energy and cost…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 28, 2024
Water quality plan draws opposition from Reed Park neighbors
A water quality improvement project slated for a West Austin neighborhood park has sparked controversy among Tarrytown neighbors opposed to the prospect of losing an informal ball field to a biofiltration pond for stormwater runoff. Reed Neighborhood Park, given to…
Water • By Amy Smith • May 22, 2024
City Council approves water conservation plans, for now
As expected, City Council endorsed new Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plan updates at its Thursday meeting, voting unanimously to send them along to the state – despite major misgivings from key stakeholders who say the plans don’t do enough…
Water • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 6, 2024
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Austin Water sends conservation plan to City Council without support of key task force
Proposals to overhaul Austin’s drought response rules and update long-term conservation goals will go to City Council for a vote this week without the support of a city advisory panel charged with vetting water policy. When Austin Water released its…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 30, 2024
Amid worsening drought, Austin Water floats updates on conservation and drought contingency plan
As Austinites prepare for another round of scorching temperatures, stewards of their dwindling water supply are strategizing, with updates to the city’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan expected to hit City Council’s desk next week. The new plan, which…
Water • By Kali Bramble • Apr 25, 2024
Council OKs contract for advice on additional water pump station
On Thursday, City Council unanimously approved a $3 million contract with HDR Engineering Inc. for a study to determine where the water utility might locate an additional new pump station and reservoir in Southwest Austin in conjunction with the Davis…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Apr 5, 2024
Austin Water report shows few traces of ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
Austin Water on Tuesday released a report showing that the Environmental Protection Agency had found “little to no detectable traces” of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – in the city’s drinking water. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS have…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Apr 3, 2024
Travis County signs up for more reclaimed water
Last week, City Council authorized Austin Water to move forward with an interlocal agreement with Travis County to share the costs of designing and building oversized reclaimed water mains and pipes within the central business district. This will provide service…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Mar 13, 2024
City Council adopts historic water reuse regulations
City Council on Thursday unanimously and enthusiastically approved mandatory water reuse for most large new developments, with some provisions to exempt affordable housing from the requirement. They also approved an agreement with Travis County to provide reclaimed water connections for…
