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Water
Downstream of Austin, Texas rice farmers face another year without Colorado River water
Lee esta historia en español Talking on the phone from his tractor in Colorado County, Texas, Craig Gutman said he was not surprised to hear water would not be available for rice farmers like him this year. “I was pretty…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Mar 7, 2023
Austin Water making progress but needs more employees
Members of City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee have reviewed the findings of a report detailing problems during four significant events at Austin Water’s Ullrich Water Treatment Plant between 2018 and February 2022, including three boil-water notices and a zebra…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Jan 19, 2023
UT report offers 'roadmap' for changes at Austin Water
In the wake of five incidents between 2018 and 2022 related to water quality problems, including three boil-water notices and a zebra mussel invasion, Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros resigned and City Council asked the city auditor to identify a group…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Jan 12, 2023
Despite drought, Austin Water still supplying raw water to golf course
Austin Water continues to supply the River Place Country Club with a combination of reclaimed water and raw water from Lake Austin to irrigate its golf course. “The amount and need for lake water is the sole discretion of River…
Water • By Nina Hernandez • Dec 16, 2022
Amid drought conditions, Austin Water proposes ways to slash water use in new homes
The average water use per year in new Austin homes is 28,000 gallons. But that could soon decrease with initiatives aimed at conserving water through landscape transformations and other efforts. Kevin Kluge, environmental conservation division manager of Austin Water, presented…
Development • By Andrea Guzman • Nov 23, 2022
Austin is looking for a place to store massive amounts of water to pull from during droughts
Austin is planning a big underground water storage project that would provide the city with another source of water during droughts. But city planners are not sure exactly where to put it. This week, they’ll meet with residents of Lee,…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Oct 18, 2022
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Watershed Protection delivers long-awaited report on trash in creeks
The Environmental Commission heard a long-awaited presentation on trash in Austin creeks at its meeting last week. Two years ago, in response to a City Council direction, the Watershed Protection Department launched a comprehensive study on trash, including dockless mobility…
Water • By Nina Hernandez • Sep 27, 2022
Travis County calls on LCRA to 'get serious' about water conservation
The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution July 19 requesting that the Lower Colorado River Authority accelerate a change to its Highland Lakes water management plan. If LCRA cooperates, a “more protective” approach would be implemented to reflect Central…
Water • By Seth Smalley • Jul 28, 2022
Austin Water addresses effect of drought on agriculture
Texas’ current drought is affecting both Austin residents as well as the crops grown outside of the city. At Wednesday’s Water and Wastewater Commission meeting, representatives from Austin Water explained the far-reaching effects of the drought and efforts made to…
Water • By Veronica Apodaca • Jul 26, 2022
City braces for imminent drought restrictions – and stiffer penalties for violators
The city of Austin likely will enter the first stage of its drought response plan later this month or next, triggering stricter restrictions and testing out recently updated penalties for customers who violate the rules. Robert Goode, Austin Water’s interim…
Water • By Emma Freer • May 27, 2022
Austin Water to announce pilot aquifer storage site by the end of next year
The city’s water utility is inching toward its goal to store 60,000 acre feet in underground potable water reserves by 2040, according to a briefing delivered to the Austin Water Oversight Committee on Wednesday. The ambitious 20-year project will be…
Water • By Kali Bramble • May 27, 2022
Improvements, hiring at Austin Water likely remedies for boil-water notice
The city appears likely to approve a special budget item that will pay for more than a dozen new hires and operational software improvements at Austin Water. City Council’s Austin Water Oversight Committee voted unanimously Thursday to support the recommendations of…
