The city of Austin is continuing efforts to convince Dripping Springs not to go through with its plan to release treated effluent into Onion Creek, the tributary that provides the greatest amount of direct recharge to Barton Springs, according to Chris Herrington, chief engineer for the city’s Watershed Protection Department. The city continues to prepare […]
Water
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Dripping Springs plans effluent reuse but wants discharge permit
The city of Dripping Springs, facing an array of opponents to its plan to discharge nearly 1 million gallons per day of treated effluent into Onion Creek, has come up with a proposal to reuse the treated wastewater and is asking the opponents to help pay for the plan. If the opponents agree, landowners and […]
Posted inHays County
Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater plan could threaten aquifers
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is moving quickly to prevent a change in the city of Dripping Springs’ wastewater management that could threaten Dripping Springs’ drinking water. The city of Dripping Springs has applied for a permit to discharge treated effluent from its wastewater plant into Onion Creek. But a recent study has confirmed […]
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Commission OKs drainage discount for rain barrels
The city’s Environmental Commission endorsed a proposed ordinance last week that will give property owners the chance to lower their drainage fees if they make efforts to reduce runoff from their properties. Austin Water utility already provides a one-time rebate to homeowners who buy rain barrels and rain gardens, but the Watershed Protection Department decided […]
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MUDs still fighting city over water bills
The long-running argument between the city of Austin and four municipal utility districts continues, with lawyers for the North Austin MUD No. 1, Northtown MUD, Wells Branch MUD and Travis County WCID No. 10 claiming Austin Water is again overcharging their clients. Austin Water officials say they are charging the MUDs what they must charge in […]
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Council approves permanent water restrictions
After an hour-and-a-half debate, City Council voted Thursday to approve an ordinance that will permanently restrict residents from using automatic sprinklers on their lawns more than once a week. “We should be really proud of Austin,” said Jennifer Walker, the water resources coordinator for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. “I believe that […]
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Council debates water restrictions
Home car-washing may soon be coming back to Austin. If City Council approves Austin Water’s proposed reforms of water restrictions, homeowners will be able to spray down their cars in their driveways every day if their hearts so desire. That appears to be the concession the utility is offering customers who might otherwise be frustrated by […]
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Austin’s summer likely won’t be a hot mess
Bob Rose, the head meteorologist for the Lower Colorado River Authority, has some good news. “I was thinking this was going to be a really hot, dry summer,” he told press attending the LCRA’s annual “Meteorologist Day” at the Redbud Center. But looking at weather models in recent weeks, Rose has reassessed his projection for […]
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Council moves to make major water investments
City Council voted Thursday for the city to apply for nearly $190 million in loans as part of a plan to make major investments in local water infrastructure in the coming years. The city will apply for a loan of roughly $86 million from the Texas Water Development Board in order to make improvements to […]
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Zimmerman proposes funding for climate change skeptics
City Council Member Don Zimmerman, a self-described advocate for taxpayers, is not proposing that the city nix spending $116,000 to assess the impact of climate change on local water systems. But he is unhappy that all of the money in the proposed 36-month contract would go to ATMOS Research & Consulting, a firm led by […]
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Council to address water utility debt
Issuing and selling bonds, paying off debt and applying for state loans for the Austin Water utility will be up for discussion at City Council’s meeting Thursday. At their work session on Tuesday, Council members seemed generally supportive of the items, which include: applying for $167 million in loans from the AAA-rated Texas Water Development […]
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Council to consider new policy for high water bills
If City Council approves the idea, Austin Water customers who find themselves puzzled and/or outraged by a sudden unexplained jump in their water bills will have an additional way to appeal the bill and gain some relief. A resolution sponsored by Council Member Ellen Troxclair states that Austin Water received calls from 23,944 customers related […]