Is my home in a watershed?
All land is in a watershed. All of us who call Austin home live in one of 66 watersheds, no matter how far away we are from a creek or river.

How does my watershed impact water quality?
How we live on our watersheds impacts water quality from Austin to the ocean.
When rain falls on your yard or street, it carries pollutants such as fertilizers or oil with it to the nearest stormdrain. In the older parts of town the stormdrain carries it straight to the creek. These pollutants will then travel with the creek into the Colorado River. Our drinking water is collected from the dammed-up Colorado at Lake Austin and the western portion of Town Lake, and must be treated before being drinkable. Water that is not used for drinking continues down the Colorado River, travelling eastward to Matagorda Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
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What is an aquifer?
An underground layer of porous rock, sand or dirt that contain large pockets of water. In Austin, water enters the aquifers through faults, sinkholes, caves, and other recharge features on the surface to fill the huge underground water supply. The University of Texas has an online map of Major Texas Aquifers. View Aquifer brochure. Learn more about aquifers in our interactive aquifer movie.

What is my aquifer?
The Edwards Aquifer is a karst aquifer made up of porous, permeable limestone which runs from north of Austin through the San Antonio area and west toward the Rio Grande. It supplies water to 1.5 million people. The aquifer also supplies water for springs and creeks in Austin, including Barton Springs, the most famous spring in Austin. The Edwards aquifer also supplies water to rivers, such as the Comal, San Marcos, Guadalupe, Colorado, and San Gabriel. The Barton Springs segment of the aquifer runs West of Mopac (Loop 1) ans South of the Colorado River. The Northern Edwards segment runs north of the Colorado River.
The University of Texas has an online map of Major Texas Aquifers.

What is Barton Springs?
The fourth largest spring in Texas, located in Zilker Park. It is an artesian spring, which means it brings water up under pressure from the Edwards Aquifer, often from great depths. The water flows to the surface at a rate of about 400 gallons of water per second (gps). The spring water is a constant 70 degrees and supplies water to Barton Springs Pool, Barton Creek, and the Colorado River.

What is the recharge zone for the Barton Springs segment of the aquifer?
The area of land where rainwater and streamflow drain into or "recharge" the aquifer. In Austin, water moves down to the aquifer in the recharge zone in many ways, including soaking into the soil, or entering caves, cracks, and fractures in the limestone surface. Barton, Onion, Williamson, Slaughter, Bear, and Little Bear Creeks flow across recharge zones.

What is the contributing zone for the aquifer?
The area of land West of the recharge zone. Creeks in the contributing zone flow downstream into the recharge zone and therefore "contribute" water to the aquifer.
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What is the Barton Springs salamander?
The Barton Springs salamander, Eurycea sosorum, is aquatic (does not metamorphose into a type that lives on land) and neotenic (keeps its set of bright red external gills instead of developing internal gills.) The salamander's skin can vary in color from pale purple-brown to a yellowish cream. The adult salamander usually grows to 2.5 inches long.
The Barton Springs salamander spends most of its life in the aquifer water underground. The only known surface habitats of the salamander are in Zilker Park in Barton Springs Pool, Eliza Springs, Sunken Garden Springs, and Upper Barton Springs. Barton Springs Salamander Brochure.

What is the Jollyville salamander?
A species of Eurycea salamander that lives in the Jollyville Plateau area roughly bounded by the Colorado River, MoPac, Lake Travis, and Highway 183. The adult salamander usually grows to 2 inches long. The population size and habitat preferences of the salamanders are largely unknown. Like the Barton Springs salamander, the Jollyville Plateau salamander is neotenic (retain gills as adults) and therefore lives underwater in caves, springs, and spring surface flows.
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What is the water cycle?
The water cycle is a continuous process, of which our watersheds are an integral part. The water cycle starts with rain. The rain either soaks into the earth, runs off toward streams, evaporates, or is used by plants. The water that soaks into the earth becomes part of the groundwater system that feeds streams, wetlands, and our drinking water supply. The water that runs off to streams feeds larger streams which then join the rivers, then empty into oceans. Once the water reaches the oceans it evaporates and forms clouds. At this point the cycle starts over when rain falls from the clouds again.

Where does our drinking water come from?
When you drain your bathtub or sink, where does the wastewater go?
The City of Austin draws water from the Colorado River into three treatment plants and 29 reservoirs. Water is collected from Lake Austin and the western portion of Town Lake. Austin creeks that feed the river and our drinking water supply are Bull, West Bull, Dry, Taylor, Johnson, Shoal, Bee, Little Bee, Eanes, and Barton. After the water is treated, it is sent through pipes into our homes and offices.
After you use the water in your home, it goes through sewage pipes to a wastewater treatment plant for treatment before being discharged back into the Colorado River. Water and Wastewater Utility Department
People who are not connected to the City's water and sewer pipes get their drinking water from underground wells that draw from the aquifer, and then their wastewater is sent into a septic tank in their yard for treatment.
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What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the same thing as rainwater. That water flows across the land and either soaks into the ground or runs into storm drains and waterways.

Where does stormwater go after it drains into a storm drain?
Stormwater entering storm drains travels through underground pipes directly into a creek or lake often carrying pollutants with it. Many people mistakenly believe that storm drains direct stormwater into the sewer system. Since most stormwater is untreated and unfiltered, pollution can quickly impact our creeks.

What are some common types of stormwater pollution?

• Residential: litter; fertilizers and pesticides used when gardening; vehicle fluids left on the driveway and street; hazardous chemicals dumped into storm drains; pet waste left on the ground.
• Industrial: Vehicle fluids on the ground; chemical spills.
• Construction: Sediment and debris; chemical spills.

What can I do to improve water quality?

In my yard?

• Apply fertilizers properly and never before a rain. Use pesticides only as a last resort. Try less toxic alternatives. Don't use motor oil, gasoline, or kerosene to kill weeds and insects. Grow Green
• Plant native or adapted plants to conserve water and minimize pesticide use.
• Pick up pet waste and dispose of it in a garbage can or toilet.
• Allow water to soak into the soil by using wood decking or inter-locking stones for walkways and driveways. Also, divert rooftop runoff onto grass so water can be absorbed gradually. Cement and asphalt block water absorption into nature's water filter: the soil.

At home?

• Sweep your driveway instead of hosing pollutants into the stormdrain.
• Dispose of chemicals and paint products properly at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Call 462-4343 for information.
• Do not wash chemical spills into the gutter. Clean up small chemical spills by sprinkling with sawdust or kitty litter, seal in a trash bag and put it in the trash. For a large spill, call the City's Environmental Hotline at (512) 974-2550.
• Don't litter.
• Dispose of cigarettes properly so they do not wash into the creeks.
  

With my car?

• Wash your car on your lawn or where water drains to your lawn, or go to a car wash.
• Repair fluid leaks as soon as possible. Contain vehicle leaks by using drip pans or kitty litter; When the leak is absorbed, scoop up the material and seal in a trash bag and put it in the trash.
• Recycle used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze at a recycling facility or auto service center. Consider using the services of an oil changing company. To find a used oil/filter collection center near you in Travis County, call (888)TX-CRUDE or visit Shade Tree Mechanic. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility collects all home automotive products for those paying City of Austin utility fees. Call 462-4343 for information.
• Car batteries can be recycled at almost any retail outlet where batteries are sold. There may be a small fee for this service.
• Store automotive parts in an area protected from rain so oil and grease are not washed onto the ground or into storm drains. Shade Tree Mechanic

On my boat?

• Use caution with gasoline to avoid spilling gas on the ground or in the water.
• Never toss any litter overboard, especially plastics. Monofilament fishing line and six-pack rings are particularly harmful to aquatic and bird life.
  Maintain your boat engine to avoid any oil leaks.
• Rinse and scrub your boat with a brush, rather than with soap. When soap is necessary, use a phosphate-free and non-toxic soap. Plan ahead so you can wash in an area where it does not run into the water.
• When removing paint off boat hulls, catch the scrapings in a drop cloth, or sweep and throw them away in the trash. Bottom paints contain copper or tin which are extremely toxic to aquatic life. Green Neighbor-Boat Owners

On my ranch?

• Don't dump trash in caves or sink holes.
• Don't mix pesticides or herbicides near water wells.
• Make sure well heads are properly sealed and covered to prevent pollutants from entering the aquifer.
• Keep domestic animals out of streams, springs, and wetlands.
• Do not kill unwanted vegetation with used motor oil, gasoline, or kerosene.

In my business?

Automotive Industry:

• Join the Austin Clean Water Partners Program. This program partners the City of Austin with local automotive repair and fueling businesses to reduce pollution and water quality degradation of our creeks and lakes. Businesses that are recognized for their clean shop practices receive banners, t-shirts and mention in newspapers and newsletters. For more information, contact the Stormwater Discharge Permit Program staff at 974-2550.
• Dispose of hazardous waste properly. The City of Austin Solid Waste Services Department has developed a program to provide hazardous waste disposal services to small businesses. For more information, call (512)462-4331.
• Report pollution problems to the Pollution Hotline, a 24-hour hotline for citizens to report pollution spills or complaints. The Hotline number is: (512)974-2550.

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Can I volunteer to help?
Absolutely. There are projects for everyone whether you want to volunteer individually or as a group (scout troops, families, clubs, etc.)
There are three main volunteer programs that can use volunteers year-round:

• Stormdrain Marking: Help educate the citizens of Austin by placing the "No Dumping, Drains to Creek" frog markers on stormdrains. Contact us at 974-2550 for instructions and marking kits.
• Citizen Monitoring: Monitoring water quality in our creeks is vital to maintaining their health. Citizens can participate in the the Water Watchdog Program.
• Trash Cleanup

Can I hold a charity car wash without polluting my creek?
Yes, there are ways to minimize soap and runoff pollution during a charity car wash. Call 974-2550 for details.

How can I dispose of chemicals properly?
Take your household chemicals to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Common materials accepted at this facility: antifreeze, oil, fuels, paint, solvents, fertilizers, pesticides, and batteries. Call 462-4343 for more information.

How can I report a chemical spill?
Call the City's 24-hour Pollution Hotline at 974-2550. Report the location, amount and type of pollution, and any other information that may help the investigator. If you are unsure of what the pollution is, describe the color, odor, and consistency. Also report the name, address, and phone number of the party responsible, if known. Please leave your name and phone number if you want a follow-up phone call. All complaints are handled anonymously.
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