December 28, 2011

Dangers of fracking still becoming clear

The word “fracking” may sound funny, but it describes a drilling practice that has created a serious boom in natural gas production in Texas and elsewhere, and with the boom has come serious worries about fracking’s effects on the environment. More from Statesman.com.

December 14, 2011

New rules for fracking approved

The Texas Railroad Commission approved a rule Tuesday requiring oil and natural gas drillers to disclose most of the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing. Read full SA Express-News article.

December 2, 2011

Drought leaving rivers, lakes with more bacteria

Increased bacteria levels in rivers and streams due to decreased flow that typically dilutes runoff pollution is an expected yet overlooked toll of the drought, said Andrew Sansom, executive director of the River Systems Institute at Texas State University. Read full Statesman.com article.

November 28, 2011

Study finds lightly regulated wastewater plants polluting Edwards Aquifer

Dozens of lightly monitored wastewater plants west of Austin are degrading the waterways that feed Barton Springs, according to a reportcommissioned by the Save Our Springs Alliance and San Antonio-based Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance. Read full article from Statesman.com.

September 8, 2011

World Water Monitoring Day

This weekend World Water Monitoring Day will bring public awareness to issues of water quality in our rivers, lakes and streams. The Frio and the Colorado Cleanups are posted in the events section of this newsletter and both efforts need volunteers. For more information about River Cleanup projects year round or for help getting one started near you see Project Texas Rivers.

May 2, 2011

TCEQ hosts meeting on water quality

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will hold a meeting Wednesday, May 11 on a draft Total Maximum Daily Load implementation plan. The meeting will give the public a chance to discuss ways to address bacterial impairment in the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake, segment 1806 in Kerr County. Read more

April 27, 2011

LCRA, City of Burnet and City of Austin forge agreement to protect Lake Travis

LCRA, the City of Burnet and the City of Austin have come to an agreement that allows Burnet to move forward with plans for a new wastewater treatment plant and protects the water quality of Lake Travis. Read more