exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

Following numerous in-depth conversations during a workshop meeting last week, the Killeen City Council will vote on improvements to the city’s water systems, plus a new tank that would accommodate water from a new treatment plant Tuesday. Council members will meet at 5 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall to vote on several resolutions that could improve water meters throughout Killeen, as well as to move forward with a new water tank and pump station to accommodate flow from the Stillhouse Water Treatment Plant.

Leaning on CPS Energy’s experience, the San Antonio Water System is testing a new smart meter pilot program that would eventually allow SAWS customers to track their water use in near-real time. SAWS is working with CPS Energy and their shared contractor Itron to test smart water meters on the same wireless network as CPS Energy’s smart meters. CPS Energy completed replacing 740,000 analog meters citywide in 2018, four years after starting the overhaul.

It takes less than 500 steps to walk the length of a new recreation trail set to officially open at Brooks. But the connections it creates are long in both miles and significance. The quarter-mile trail extension, more than five years in the making, links the Greenline, a 43-acre linear park and trail at the former Air Force base, to the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Walk.

We use it to drink, cook and even wash up. It is no secret water is essential. But what does a small city like Florence, Texas, do when its water supply is depleting? Well, it springs into action, turning to other sources to capture water.  Steve Hanik and his wife Mary Hanik live in Florence. They are grape growers at Journey Vineyards who look forward to the chance to take a break from their busy day and have a glass of wine.

The city of Austin is investigating a potentially harmful algae bloom at The Bull Creek Preserve after receiving a report Aug. 5 that a swimmer developed symptoms associated with algae exposure. Austin’s Watershed Protection Department said it cannot confirm the presence of toxic algae at Bull Creek or whether the illness was the result of algae exposure, according to an Aug. 6 news release. The situation is considered an active investigation.

August is #NationalWaterQualityMonth!

We all play a part in protecting our water quality. Simple tasks, such as ensuring trash makes it into the trash can and picking up after your pet, can have big impacts.

For more information, visit https://nationalwaterqualitymonth.org/ and http://www.defendyourdrainsnorthtexas.com/

WaterMyYard was developed by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension specialists to promote water conservation and provide lawn irrigation recommendations. Using local weather data, the tool determines the amount of supplemental water needed to maintain a healthy lawn.

For more than a year, the city of Houston's health department has been testing wastewater to get a better idea of how fast the virus is spreading and what is to come. Now, the Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston Dr. David E. Persse said the levels of the virus have more than tripled since the beginning of July.

Mayors from the cities of McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, and Mission gathered Wednesday to talk about a plan to potentially resolve drainage issues in the county. Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez says that they hope to create a unified drainage plan that is consistent across each city and enforces the rules and regulations that prevent flooding.

If you've seen more and more posts of the invasive zebra mussels taking over Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, you're not alone.  Daniel Linder, who has a waterfront home on Lake LBJ, tells MySA the invasive species clogged the strainer on his pump intake valve that sits about three feet underwater. He pulled out the valve on July 25, near the Sunrise Beach area on LBJ.

Morgan’s Point Resort is moving on up! The small lakeside community has seen tremendous population growth and a housing boom over the last few years due to the popularity of Central Texas. The beauty of the landscape, the friendly neighbors, and the quiet that comes from living outside the city limits all make MPR the ideal place to live in Bell County.

As the COVID19 pandemic rages on, Lake Conroe is busier than ever before. "It is like being 500 miles away from the city, but only being 62 miles from the city," said resident Susie Allen. "When you come out here, you literally come over the bridge and you just become calm and peaceful."

https://takecareoftexas.org/do-your-part/texas-trickle

Apple snails are once again causing problems along the San Antonio River. The giant snails and egg cases pose an agricultural and ecological threat as they feed on aquatic plans, taking food and habitat away from the San Antonio River’s native species.