exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

Wastewater agencies and wipes industry experts recently collaborated on the largest known domestic sewage collection study to help determine what exactly is clogging sewer lines and equipment. The final study results are now available, and they add up to a massive problem.

Citing community concerns about a planned cement plant in Grayson County, Patrick’s letter asks TCEQ to reject the permit and halt permit approvals statewide.

The City of Brazoria has been working to make adjustments to its wastewater treatment plant since 2020. During the City Council's meeting April 9, a $3.7 million bid from Matula & Matula was approved. 

In Texas, 49 public water utility systems have reported surpassing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever limits for five “forever chemicals” in drinking water, according to data submitted to the federal agency. Experts say there are likely more since not all water systems have submitted their data.

The City of Rockport’s wastewater plant is getting $4.5 million worth of upgrades right now. The money is coming from federal ARPA dollars and bond monies.

Wichita Falls City Councilors on Tuesday will consider adopting a new Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans ordinance. For residential customers, the only change would be to allow water from yard irrigation to flow 100 feet from the source rather than just 50 feet as previously allowed.

Due to several water leaks, the City of Port Arthur public water system has been mandated by the TCEQ to advise all impacted customers to boil their water before drinking it.

Lake levels at Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis have not changed since January. With a warm and dry summer ahead, LCRA says there is potential for a new drought of record.

With the hottest days still ahead, local leaders have declared emergencies. And farmers are lobbying for the U.S. government to pressure Mexico to release water.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking residents to clean bird feeders and baths due to an infectious disease spreading across the state. Several doves have tested positive for Trichomoniasis, according to TPWD.

A hacking group behind cyberattacks on water systems in the United States, Poland and France is connected to the Russian military, a cybersecurity firm has found, signaling a possible escalation by Moscow to target adversaries' infrastructure.

The Biden-Harris Administration awarded the city of San Marcos with a $13.9 million grant on April 11 to complete stormwater mitigation projects in the Sunset Acres neighborhood. San Marcos is one of five cities in Texas to receive a grant from Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation, or PROTECT, Discretionary Grant Program.

Texas' environmental regulator has fined liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter Freeport LNG $152,173 for violating state air pollution emissions rules for periods between 2019 and 2021, the company reported on Tuesday.

The plant improvements will include replacing and adding aerators and improvements to sludge treatment. The water that the plant treats eventually ends up in the Sam Rayburn Lake and it must meet the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards.

Round Rock City Council approved a $1.5 million contract with Walker Partners Engineers and Surveyors for the final design of the Phase 2A expansion of the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, servicing Round Rock, Cedar Park and Leander.

Springtime is typically when Austin sees a high surge of toxic blue-green algae in local waterways, with higher temperatures creating a prime environment for the growth of cyanobacteria. The city has tracked the deadly algae blooms each year since 2019 when city leaders first noted toxic algae that led to the deaths of several dogs.

The department’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program means 18 lakes across Texas (including two in San Antonio) will be stocked with channel catfish every two weeks through the end of October. The stocking starts Friday, April 12, and will pause in August due to the heat.