exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

“Don’t Let Litter Trash Your River” is the new campaign recently launched by the San Antonio River Authority, addressing the threats to creeks and rivers from trash, potable litter and illegal dumping throughout the San Antonio River Basin.

Work is already underway in the city of Orange for drainage improvements that many residents say are long overdue. Fox 4/KFDM's Ian Criss reports the city's Mayor Larry Spears says the drainage improvements are part of a bigger plan. Spears says there is a direct link between the drainage projects and the economy.

Nearly two months to the day that a pair of wastewater pipelines ruptured in west El Paso, the city's Public Service Board received an update Wednesday on repair efforts that remain ongoing.

In late August, the two pipelines broke between Sunland Park and Doniphan drives and the ruptures caused a back up that sent wastewater into homes and spilled it into the streets; the smell in that area continues to reek.

At their October 12 meeting, Pflugerville City Council approved a wastewater rate increase for Kelly Lane Water Control and Improvement District (WCID), Lakeside WCID and Lakeside Municipal Utility District (MUD) 3. These districts include the neighborhoods of Avalon, Blackhawk (excluding Fairways and portions of Meadows), Commons at Rowe Lane, Estates of Rowe Lane and Reserve at Westcreek. 

All is calm at American Dam, where the Rio Grande is divided between the United States and Mexico. Since 1938, the dam has been operated by the International Boundary and Water Commission in El Paso, to help equitably distribute water between the two nations.  But beneath the water’s surface lies a complex set of international policy and scientific analysis.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority will hold a workshop for Lake Dunlap residents and users on Saturday, Oct. 16 on efforts to restore the waterway, which was drained after a spillgate failure in 2019.

Work is near completion on the North Kuehler 30-inch to 33-inch interceptor project, a major wastewater capital improvement project that will upgrade and replace multiple interceptors that have become damaged due to aging, according to New Braunfels Utilities officials. On Monday, Ryan Kelso, NBU’s chief operations officer, told New Braunfels City Council members that the project is “substantially complete” and scheduled for final completion next week, weather permitting.

El Paso Water is trying a new approach to mitigate impacts of the Frontera Main pipeline wastewater discharge. Announced Wednesday, the new plan maintains the Rio Grande's role in flood control while removing as much wastewater as possible from the river.

As Gloria Uptain traveled to work in the early morning hours on Thursday, her worst fear came to life — getting swept away by flood waters and possibly drowning. The Guadalupe County resident was one of several travelers who were rescued from the fast-moving waters that shuttered State Highway 123 at FM 477 just south of Seguin.

Another area lake is draining down to the river channel after a dam gate was unresponsive following Thursday’s flooding event.

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority technicians are working on what appears to be another failed spill gate at Lake Placid and planned to continue trying to fix the problem before the lake is completely dewatered.

The results are in! Our 7th Annual Art Contest Winners have been announced.

A special thank you to every teacher and student who submitted artwork and a big congratulations to all of our winning students! We look forward to recognizing the winners at our upcoming board meeting.

https://www.trinityra.org/.../get_involved/contests.php

A Tarrant County grand jury is investigating the Tarrant Regional Water District and a settlement paid to former director Jim Oliver, according to a letter from the district attorney. The letter from District Attorney Sharen Wilson to water district board members instructs them to preserve records related to “closed meetings” and other documents regarding “potential criminal conduct.”

The Alliance Regional Water Authority is constructing a 568-acre water treatment plant set to begin operating in summer 2023. The $55 million plant will serve 19 million gallons of water per day to 250,000 residents throughout San Marcos, Buda, Kyle and the Canyon Regional Water Authority, according to a press release. In partnership with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, the plant will also serve New Braunfels and Goforth Special Utility District, according to the release.

The Buda City Council approved an interlocal agreement on Oct. 12 with Hays County for maintenance of drainage culverts at Robert S. Light Boulevard and approved a bid for a contract to add 2,600 feet of new waterline along RM 967. The Hays County Commissioners Court approved its part of the interlocal agreement on Sept. 21 to repair and maintain the drainage under Robert S. Light Boulevard at I-35.

A wastewater improvement project in the Stony Point neighborhood is entering its eighth phase of development, marking the 16th year the county has been working on the task.  During heavy rains, raw sewage overflows into homes in the neighborhood, a largely Hispanic subdivision in Western Bastrop County.

The third, and final, Panther Island bridge in Fort Worth is now open. An official ribbon-cutting for the Henderson Street Bridge will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. at the south end of the new bridge. This bridge is the third to open, following the White Settlement Bridge and the Main Street Bridge which both opened earlier this year. The three bridges are key parts of the $1.2 billion Panther Island flood control project.

The majority of the algae in Jones Lake has been removed.

The City of Lufkin has been working on a restoration project of the lake to help remove the algae. The project is still several weeks from being finished. There is ongoing water treatment that should kill off the remaining algae on the edge of the lake. According to City Councilmember Robert Shankle, two aerators are still set to be installed in the lake. The aerators will help circulate the oxygen and keep the water circulating. Tilapia still need to be stocked for the upcoming year, which will also help keep the algae down.