 by Paul Robbins Can Fixing Austin’s Leaking Water Pipes Replace Water Treatment Plants? In This Story… • Leaks in Austin’s 3,900 miles of water pipelines resulted in the loss of over 9 billion gallons per year in 2024, about 17% of total water supply. This is enough water to fill Lady Bird Lake twice a year. • Almost 80% of these leaks came from old Polybutylene service lines and Cast Iron pipe. The overnight cost to replace this would be about $1.7 billion (in 2025 dollars). • Despite considerable expense of water leaks, the City of Austin only replaces about 1/5 of 1% of its water pipe system per year. In 2010, the City of Austin exercised stupendously poor judgment in building a fourth treatment facility at the edge of Lake Travis, now known as Handcox Water Treatment Plant. The cost was $529 million plus interest ($871 million in 2025 dollars). And in the tradition of bureaucracies stuck in archaic business models, the City recently commissioned a doubling of Handcox capacity, from 50 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD) to 100 MGD, to be completed by 2031. When completed, Austin will own 385 MGD of capacity. This is 69% more capacity than it has ever used since the launch of comprehensive water conservation actions implemented in 2007. The most recent cost estimate is $145 million plus interest (2025 dollars). Ironically, while Austin is treating all of this water, it has a gigantic leak problem. In 2025, Austin Water operated 3,917 linear miles of pipelines delivering water over a service area of 548 square miles. These ranged from small service lines to individual homes 2 inches or less in diameter all the way up to large service mains 7 feet wide. And this infrastructure leaked about 17% of the water it transported, about 9.3 billion gallons, in 2024. This is enough to fill Lady Bird Lake twice a year. Over time, the leaks have actually gotten worse, from 13 gallons per person per day in 2007 to as high as 23 gallons in 2024. Most of these leaks are not the streams and occasional geysers seen on Austin streets. Rather, they are hidden below ground.  Water leaks are common in a municipal water system as old as Austin’s. However, this huge volume of lost water in a water-scarce area is alarming and unacceptable. This leads to the question: can fixing Austin’s underground pipes economically compete with new water treatment plants and new water supply sources? The Mirage of a Dependable Water Supply In 1999, Austin paid the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) $100 million to guarantee a future water supply of 350,000 acre-feet a year until the year 2050. This is about double the volume that the city currently uses. This seems like a huge amount, but it only exists on paper. In a serious drought, this supply cannot be depended on. A recently published story on future water supply shortages in Central Texas explained that drought, exacerbated with global warming, sediment that is filling the Highland Lakes, increased population, and stagnating water conservation efforts can cause acute water shortages in as little as 15 years. The Worst Materials and the Cost of Replacement About 80% of Austin’s leaks are found in two legacy pipe materials whose installations ceased decades ago: Polybutylene (PB) and Cast Iron (CI). About 22% of Austin’s water leak volume occur in PB pipes. Austin Water used this material beginning in the late 1950s, though its use greatly diminished by 1990. By then, PB had become widely recognized for advanced deterioration when exposed to chemicals in water treatment such as chlorine and fluoride. Expensive lawsuits against manufacturers ensued, and water utilities discontinued its use. But the legacy…and the leaks, remain. The overnight cost to replace PB service lines would be about $134 million. About 3/4ths of remaining leak volume is found in about 860 miles of older CI pipe, even though Cast Iron material makes up less than a quarter of the network. Given CI’s reputation as an inferior material, almost none has been installed in Austin since 1992.
A Repair System That Can’t Keep Up It is not fair to say that Austin Water has completely neglected its troubled system. In 2024, it spent almost $21.6 million to replace 7.5 miles (out of 3,917 miles) of water pipes. Another $2.7 million in 2024 was used to replace failing PB service lines to buildings. And another $12.5 million was expensed on above-ground “same day” water leak repair that year. Despite this attention, its old system apparently cannot be fixed fast enough. As the saying goes, “rust never sleeps.” In the case of Cast Iron pipe, you can take this literally. PLEASE TAKE 5 minutes to send a message to the Water and Wastewater Commission and the Water Forward Task Force asking them to urge City Leaders to prioritize repairing Austin’s aging infrastructure and stop wasting billions of gallons of our precious water each year. Add a short, personal note if you can because real people sharing their concerns are what move decisions. Paul Robbins is an environmental activist and consumer advocate living in Austin. He has been Editor of the Austin Environmental Directory, a sourcebook of green issues, products, services, and organizations, since 1995.
In this Issue:This Wednesday, (TOMORROW) 6 PM: Data Center Policies to Be Discussed at Austin Environmental CommissionCall to Action on Water Conservation: Can Fixing Austin’s Leaking Water Pipes Replace Water Treatment Plants?Austin Free Press: Barton Springs "Currents" Bass Edition by Lindsey Holmes Upcoming Earth Day Events Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting Event  Fix the Leaks First: A Call to Prioritize Austin's Water Infrastructure Over Expansion Austin is losing billions of gallons of water every year through aging pipes, while the City pours hundreds of millions into new treatment plants. It's like trying to fill a bucket with holes using a firehose instead of a faucet. Our infrastructure is decades old, the materials are failing and the leaks keep growing. Paul Robbins’ new report, Water Conservation: The Broken River, Part 1, makes it clear: we can’t keep pouring billions into treating more water while we lose so much of what we already have. The system is bleeding, and the solutions are obvious. Fix the leaks first. Read the full story here, as Robbins lays out where the system is failing, where dollars are wasted, and where real risk lies for our water future. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that our voices still matter. Take five minutes today: send a message to the Water and Wastewater Commission and the Water Forward Task Force. Urge them to prioritize fixing the pipes we already have before spending even more on expansion. Add a line about why this matters to you. Robbins’ report is the evidence; our voices are the leverage. Together, they might finally move this ship away from total inefficiency. Stay tuned for the The Broken River Part 2, which continues to explore how replacing Austin’s aging water pipes will save money, conserve water, and prepare the city for drought, while challenging the assumption that a new treatment plant is the only solution.  Data Center Policies to Be Discussed at Austin Environmental Commission Communities are waking up to the reality that Texas has been targeted for resource extraction—turning our water into data storage and the development of artificial intelligence for billionaires and mega corporations. The rapid proliferation of data centers, particularly here in the Austin-to-San Antonio corridor is throwing out our regional water planning and conservation goals, overwhelming our energy grid, and increasing air quality concerns, with new power plants and diesel-powered generators. We’re glad to see that the Austin Environmental Commission (Item 4) has decided to weigh in on the conversation. They'll be talking about what policy recommendations to make to the Austin City Council on April 1, 2026, at 6pm (6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Events Center Room 1405, Austin, Texas 78752). This is a good opportunity for you to voice your concerns about data centers. You can sign in to speak on the item, or send an email to them in advance. If you are curious about what you can do in your communities to address data centers, here are a couple recently published resource guides from our partner organizations: Sierra Club, Public Citizen. You can also follow @data.center.action.coalition and @saveoursprings on Instagram for updates on local actions and events.
 Every day is Earth Day, but in April we go all out! Come see SOS at these awesome events over the next few weeks. Learn about our work, meet like-minded folks, and find ways to protect our waters, parks, and wild spaces. Earth Day ATX 2026: “A Moment for Us” When: Saturday, April 11, 12 PM-5 PM Where: Huston-Tillotson University (900 Chicon St, Austin, TX 78702) What: Join one of Central Texas’s longest-running sustainability celebrations at HTU. Explore engaging exhibits, hands-on activities, and interactive programming that connect you to the environment and the local green community. Meet fellow attendees passionate about environmental stewardship and discover practical ways to make a difference in your everyday life. Meadows Center Earth Day Festival When: Saturday, April 18, 10 AM-4 PM Where: Spring Lake (201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos, Texas) What: Celebrate the 13th Annual Earth Day San Marcos Festival with family and friends at the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Enjoy live performances, demonstrations, and hands-on activities while connecting with local eco-focused organizations and vendors. This year’s theme, One Heart, Many Waters, highlights our community’s deep connection to water and the ecosystems that give us life. UT Austin Earth Day Fair When: Wednesday, April 22, 2 PM – 5 PM Where: Gregory Plaza, UT Austin (2101 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712) What: Earth Day is a movement to protect our planet and inspire new practices. Stop by the Hooked on Earth Day Fair to explore sustainability initiatives, green innovations, and ways to support a healthier campus and community. Connect with student organizations, programs, and local sustainability leaders, sip on solar-powered smoothies, and learn how small actions can make a big difference.
Earth Day is almost here! Whether you’re paddling, hiking, learning about rainwater harvesting, swimming in the springs, or checking out one of the MANY Earth Day events around town, we hope you’ll take time to connect with the waters and the wild that make Austin so special.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to add your voice to the conversation by submitting your comments on the CTRMA draft Environmental Assessment HERE before May 3rd! In Solidarity, SOS Alliance In this Issue:Speak Up Against the MoPac South Expansion This Saturday, March 14th Paddle for the People, Guided Kayak Event on Lady Bird Lake Save Our Springs from Wastewater -- Donate Today  Speak Up Against the MoPac South Expansion A Threat to Water, Wildlife, and Austin Communities The battle against the South MoPac expansion isn’t new, but our opposition is more urgent than ever. SOS and local allies have been pushing back against this short-sighted, environmentally harmful project since 2012. In 2016, a powerful groundswell of experts, neighbors, and community leaders shut it down, standing together for the water, wildlife, and neighborhoods that make Austin unique. Time to do it all again. Now the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) has revived the project, and we need all hands on deck. They are proposing to widen 8.7 miles of MoPac South from Enfield Road to Slaughter Lane, adding 6–8 new lanes and bringing the total width to as many as 13–18 lanes in some sections. The plan includes new toll lanes, auxiliary lanes, and bridges over Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek. The expansion would push a massive highway footprint through the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, alongside Zilker Park, Austin High School, and neighborhoods throughout the corridor. “The Zilker Neighborhood Association has opposed the MoPac South expansion project for over a decade and is now a proud member and financial supporter of the Better MoPac Coalition. There are an absurd number of reasons to oppose CTRMA’s seemingly relentless quest to toll Austin area residents and the environment. The Better MoPac Coalition is our best hope,” states ZNA President JD Leonard. The Better MoPac Coalition formed in 2024, bringing together a diverse coalition of environmental groups, neighborhood associations, and local advocates to rally public awareness. We’ve been steadily building momentum, and now that draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed MoPac South expansion has been released, our next critical step is to submit comments and make our voices heard. The EA leaves much to be desired, downplaying the effects to water, wildlife, and communities and declaring a "finding of no significant impact". Now is the time to tell them otherwise. The official public hearing comment period started Monday, March 9, and goes through Sunday, May 3, 2026. How to Get Involved
Submit your comment today and join us in standing up for Austin’s most precious resources.  Save Our Springs from Wastewater! The fight to protect the Edwards Aquifer and Barton Springs from wastewater pollution from the Hays Commons Development is heating up. The preliminary hearing begins Tuesday, March 10, and SOS will have several months to gather evidence and then present its case to an administrative law judge. The project would irrigate treated municipal sewage over the fragile Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone—full of caves and karst features—threatening nearby wells and Barton Springs. A recent report from Edwards Aquifer expert Dr. Nico Hauwert highlights the serious risks of pathogenic contamination and why strong watershed protection is critical, which you can read here. You’ve already helped by submitting comments on the draft permit in 2024 -- thank you! Now we need your support to continue and win this fight. SOS must fund expert witness testimony and a detailed geologic assessment of the irrigation area to support the testimony of our experts about the certainty of groundwater contamination associated with the permit. Your donation today will directly strengthen our case and help defend Barton Springs and our aquifer. Give now and stand with SOS in this fight. From the MoPac South expansion to Hays Commons, we are rising up together and refuse to be ignored on these major trespasses against our water, wildlife, and neighborhoods. We know it’s exhausting, and it often feels like the odds are against us. However, every comment, every campaign, every legal fight, and every gift makes a real difference.
Your support helps SOS fund expert research, legal action, and community organizing to protect the places we all love in Central Texas. Thank you for standing with us. In Solidarity, SOS Alliance  In less than three days, we kick off Amplify Austin Day—a 24-hour local giving sprint on March 4th that boosts local nonprofits like Save Our Springs Alliance. There's no need to wait! Early Giving has begun, and we are aiming to raise $17,000 to protect Barton Springs, the Edwards Aquifer, and our Hill Country watersheds. By becoming a supporter during Amplify Austin, you will help us expand our team, upgrade our Education programming, and mobilize our community.
Every dollar makes a tangible, local impact. Whether it’s $50, $100, or $500, your contribution directly supports the long term protection of Barton Springs and the waters that flow through the Edwards Aquifer and sustain our community. More ways to step up locally:
Thank you for jumping in, turning up, and getting creative during this intense week of action. Your time, energy, and bold ideas are exactly what keeps the fight for our local waterways, unique wildlife, and community going. We see you, and we couldn’t do this without you.
For the love of water & wild places, SOS Alliance In this Issue: Building Momentum for a Better MoPac Together, We Can Save Our Historic Barton Springs Bridge Stop Solid-rocket Fuel Motor Testing on the Edwards Aquifer Early Giving and Peer-to-Peer Opportunities to Amplify SOS  Better MoPac: Help Us Build Momentum in MarchThe proposed MoPac South expansion is back. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority has released its draft Environmental Assessment for an 8.77-mile stretch of highway expansion, from Slaughter Creek to Enfield Road. The proposal outlines four toll lanes and expanding the highway six to eight lanes through the Edwards Aquifer Recharge zone, the source of Barton Springs and the lifeblood of our region. The official comment period runs March 9 - May 3. We’re coming together to organize and build serious momentum for the surge of community action ahead. The Better MoPac Coalition continues to broaden its reach through a range of strategic and creative engagement efforts, and we highly encourage you to get involved! Opportunities include tabling at Austin High, joining our Lady Bird Lake paddle (details below), creating protest art and signs, sharing updates on social media, or lending your skills as a volunteer. JOIN HERE -- It's free and gives you a direct role in a coordinated, community-led effort to stop a short-sighted project that would permanently alter Austin and threaten our precious aquifer. Below are some key dates and ways to join the movement...
 Together We Can Save Our Historic Barton Springs Bridge"Sending Out An SOS!!"-- Please plan to attend or call in to the Historic Landmark Commission's meeting next Wednesday, March 4, at 6:00 PM to urge them to "save our beautiful, 100-year old historic bridge and its Barton Creek, Butler Trail, and Zilker Park setting. We will send out details on how to sign up to speak in person or by call in when they are posted later this week. Here's the short background: On December 14, 2023, our Mayor and City Council voted on its Agenda Item 79 to demolish our beautiful, historic gateway to Zilker Park -- the Barton Springs Road bridge over Barton Creek. If you have ever walked, run, paddled, swam, fished, or rode a bike under this bridge, or viewed it from the bike/ped bridge on the Butler trail, you've seen it. You've probably photographed it as well. It's one of the most beautiful and iconic places in Austin. The council's regrettable vote happened without the required prior review of our Historic Landmark Commission. Somehow they "forgot." The council did have misleading information from City contractors seeking fat contracts to demolish the historic, 58-foot wide bridge and replace it with a giant, ugly, 106 foot wide, highway-style bridge. Those contractors and staff told the council that the bridge was too frail to save and the only way to address traffic safety issues was to build a new giant bridge, with extensive construction in and disturbance of Barton Creek. Buried in the 700 pages of back-up documents, it showed the bridge was actually in "good" to "fair" condition and could be restored for $13 to $18 million. The council never heard this as a viable and affordable option. The cost to tear down and build the giant replacement, initially pegged at $10.2 million in 2022 ballooned to $36 million and then, today at $54.5 million. We are also just now finding out the project will do real damage to the historic Umlauf home and studio property and to the archeological and historic districts within Zilker Park. Thankfully, the Historic Landmark Commission called "time out" on the City's push to destroy the historic bridge at its last February 4 meeting. You can watch the testimony and discussion on the Agenda Item 8 by clicking on that item here below the City's meeting video window. The Commission will consider recommending saving the bridge, the park, the creek and its unique aquatic life, the historic and archeological resources, and the Umlauf property at its Wednesday March 4 meeting. Please be there with us to support the Commission's historic landmark protection mission.  Sign the Petition to Ask Texas State University to Move the Rocket-Fuel Test Site OFF the AquiferAn important message from San Marcos River Foundation -- A proposed solid rocket motor fuel testing at Freeman Ranch, located entirely over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, poses serious potential risks to the drinking water supply for more than 2.5 million Central Texans. Texas State University has agreed to allow testing in partnership with X-Bow at Freeman Ranch, despite the site’s sensitive location. The plan involves firing solid rocket motor fuel secured to a concrete pad approximately 4-6 times per year. SMRF notes several water quality concerns. In the event of a malfunction, fuel pellets could be thrown beyond the test area. Testing can send dust beyond the site, and the need to capture and truck away contaminated cooling water after each run leaves significant room for error. The fuel contains ammonium perchlorate and aluminum oxide, which can persist in groundwater for centuries, making contamination extremely difficult to remediate. Please sign the petition below to tell Texas State to stop this plan that puts our aquifer at risk.
We’re keeping watch on the big fights ahead: opposing the horrible MoPac expansion and now rocket fuel testing, both over the Recharge zone, and fighting for the historic Barton Springs bridge. We also encourage you to step outside and enjoy what we’re working to protect. Join us for a Lady Bird Lake paddle on March 14, explore the many beautiful corners of the Greenbelt while Barton Springs is closed the next few weeks, and consider taking an enlightening walk with Black Austin Tours to learn more about the untold history, contributions, and experiences of Austin’s Black community.
As always, we’re watching the sky for rain. In Solidarity, SOS Alliance In This Issue:
 The Data Center Fight Continues: Town Hall Thursday, Feb 12 On February 4, 2026, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra issued an open letter urging all municipalities and water suppliers in Hays County to immediately implement Stage 4 drought restrictions and halt new large-scale industrial water permits. This plea should sound the alarm about the urgent water challenges for Central Texas. And particularly for San Marcos and Hays County, who have become a major target for new data center developments, with as many as a half-dozen data centers planned or under construction. Individually, a single, large-scale data center can run through millions of gallons of water annually just to keep the servers from melting. Collectively, these data centers and the energy generation they require pose a significant, unforeseen strain on water resources that neither local nor state water planning accounted for. The San Marcos community has some difficult decisions ahead and is coming together for a town hall discussion. Join the discussion tomorrow, Thursday February 12th at 6pm in San Marcos at the VFW (1701 Hunter Rd). Robin Rather, longtime local environmentalist and water champion, has graciously agreed to moderate a community Town Hall featuring experts in environmental law, water resources, power grids, AI, surveillance, and local history. OTHER WAYS TO JOIN THE FIGHT: Add your voice to the public pressure campaign to contact the Crystal Clear Special Utility District and the San Marcos City Council. Created by our friends at the Data Center Action Coalition, this campaign puts the power of the pen to work and provides clear ways to contact local utility leaders and elected officials to push back against water-guzzling data center proposals right away. Your voice helps ensure officials prioritize residents, uphold drought protections, and reject unnecessary, water-intensive industrial projects. One action takes less than five minutes. There is also a petition demanding that leaders uphold existing commitments to regional water and land use plans, and it calls for an indefinite halt on all data center permits, rezoning, and project approvals in the area. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The Mayberry/CyrusOne data center rezoning request has faced significant public opposition through multiple rounds of review, with two major upcoming City Council meetings now potentially determining its fate. Here are the important upcoming dates to show up and speak out:
The proliferation of data centers in Central Texas represents a direct threat to our water security during a historic drought. Your informed and sustained action is the only effective counter to the lack of policies in place. To stay current with decisive meetings, legal developments, and strategic actions, follow @data.center.action.coalition and @saveoursprings on Instagram. There is no single right action or way to show up. Thank you for joining the fight and inspiring others!  Big win, big loss, and next up! The big loss, as you may have heard, came from an adverse ruling late Friday in the Austin United PAC's lawsuit to force an election on the new Austin convention center and redirect much of the funding to cultural and outdoor investments that benefit both visitors and locals. District Judge Jessica Mangrum denied the request to order the initiative petition certified for a public vote. SOS attorneys represent the AUPAC in the case. Yesterday, AUPAC sought emergency relief from the Texas Supreme Court in the matter. The Court has complete discretion to accept the action on an expedited basis or not. If the Court does not act quickly, the legal questions will become whether the petition will be placed on a city ballot in November. More on this soon. Meanwhile, watch The Magic Hole to learn—or be reminded—why this issue is so important to the future of Austin. On the flip side, last Wednesday's Austin's Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) meeting presented one of the most remarkable and impressive displays of public service in memory. The entire commission, led by long-time Chair and architect Ben Heimseith, refused to be silenced by City of Austin Staff, City consultants or, indirectly, by a City Council that has little interest in hearing from appointed advisory commission members not eager to toe the party line. It's worth watching on the City's meeting video here. Click on the video index Item 8 just below the screen. If you don't have time to watch the whole thing, fast forward the video to the 2:32.55 time-mark to see Bill Bunch, UT Architecture Professor David Heymann, and Barton Hills NA leader Worthy LaFollette speaking and answering questions from the Commissioners. In short, the City Council voted in 2023 to move forward in demolition of the historic Zilker Bridge over Barton Creek. This 2023 City Council vote took place without any HLC input on this historic bridge and entryway to Zilker Park. It also took place with a rigged and hidden-from-the-public analysis saying a tear down and replacement would be much cheaper than taking care of this historic treasure. If you've ever walked, run, paddled, or swam under the bridge, viewed it from the Lady Bird Lake trail, or photographed its beautiful arches reflecting on the surface of Barton Creek, you know this bridge. And you know it's something that should be protected, for centuries, like bridges all over Europe and the US as well. We'll provide more details soon, but if you have time watch the video, and you love this bridge, park, and creek environment that it has occupied for 100 years, mark your calendar and plan to attend the HLC's next meeting on Wednesday March 4 at City Council chambers. Like the 2023 Zilker Park Plan, and the new convention center, many folks assumed the destruction of this bridge was a "done deal," with the money already being counted. It's not. Somehow (you might guess) the 2022 estimate of $10.2 million for the tear down and replacement with a giant, ugly highway bridge option was $10.2 million. Now the cost is $54.5 million and available funds for the project are $14.5 million short. The $54.5 million dollar question: Will our Prop Q chastised Mayor and City Council, now committed to "fiscal accountability" reexamine the bait-and-switch game played here by the City's contractors and go back to saving this treasure, or will they keep going and decide that $54.5 million to destroy this treasure is somehow being fiscally accountable? At Barton Springs: The city just announced that Barton Springs would close early, on February 23, for the annual spring cleaning. Normally the pool is closed for the first two weeks in March, opening for spring break. This year the City needs to perform some repairs at the pool and is scheduling this extra week of closure for the work, opening again on March 14th. Read the full announcement here. (A letter from Bill Bunch, Executive Director of SOS)
Phew! Lots going on. Please try to find one small way to show up, whether you speak at San Marcos City Hall, print a protest shirt, check out the Carver museum programming, journey into Barton Creek with us, or just read these emails and share, we are grateful. You are why any of this is possible.
In Solidarity, SOS Alliance  Spring (Back) in Love with the GreenbeltCelebrate Valentine’s Day by exploring Barton Creek on SOS’s first 2026 eco-tour! Join our expert SOS staff guides and Dane Smith, Vice Chairman of the Texas Speleological Society, an organization bringing together cavers across Texas since 1956 to study, protect, and explore the state’s caves. Dane will lead the group through Backdoor Spring and Backdoor Cave, two hidden gems in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. Along the way, learn about karst geology, local flora and fauna, and the critical role these waterways play in Austin’s environment. This guided hike includes both cave and creek adventure, and is perfect for geology enthusiasts, nature lovers, or anyone looking for a memorable Valentine’s Day experience.
We are expecting a big turnout for this special kick off tour, so grab your spot now!  Central Texas is facing a surge of proposed industrial data centers that strain our water supply, increase electricity costs, and threaten local waterways with chemical contamination. You can make a difference: join the public pressure campaign to contact the Crystal Clear Special Utility District and San Marcos City Council. Your voice helps ensure officials prioritize residents, uphold drought protections, and reject unnecessary, water-intensive industrial projects. If you’re looking for a concrete way to help right now, the public pressure campaign created by our friends at the Data Center Action Coalition puts the power of the pen to work. This easy guide gives you clear ways to contact local utility leaders and elected officials and push back against water-guzzling data center proposals right away. One action will take less than 5 minutes. Upcoming Opportunities to Join the Fight Against Data Centers:
 Drought Watch: A Noticeable Drop in SpringflowFor more than seven years, I’ve been a near-daily swimmer at Barton Springs, often snorkeling through clear water among bass and cichlids, eel grass and cobomba stands that all depend on steady springflow to thrive. This week, near one of the main spring vents where on a winter day one might normally feel a strong heated current, the pulse was barely noticeable, and clouds of algae are steadily spreading across plants that rely on consistent flow to survive.
The springs are the canary in the coal mine, and this majestic place is already showing clear signs of strain. The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) warns that groundwater conditions are approaching historic lows. The region has now endured 43 consecutive months of drought, driven by well below-average rainfall, record heat, and rapidly growing demand. Barton Springs flow is less than a quarter of its historical average settling at around 11 cfs since late January. We are on the brink of Stage 4 Emergency Response Period, an unprecedented drought stage in the District’s 39-year history. A Stage 4 declaration would bring significant pumping limitations to protect springflow and the long-term health of the aquifer. “Thousands and thousands of households between Austin and San Marcos depend on well water for their daily needs,” said Charlie Flatten, General Manager of BSEACD. “It is critical that we cut back on outdoor use and conserve for indoor use only.” The question is, if we don’t act now to conserve and support smarter water management, what will Barton Springs and the aquifer it depends on look like in the years ahead? You can read the full BSEACD drought update here and use the resources listed below. Go ahead and start conversations with friends and neighbors who may not realize how to make a difference.
In Solidarity, SOS Alliance Protect the Historic Barton Springs Bridge + Post-Trial Update in Voter Petition Lawsuit1/31/2026
 Despite claims from City Staff that the bridge is beyond repair, experts have debunked these assertions, showing that only minor maintenance is needed, not the costly $40 million demolition and replacement proposed. Further, arguments that the bridge is unsafe for traffic or pedestrians are unsubstantiated, as recent safety improvements have been successful, and the bridge poses no significant danger. Restoring the existing bridge would support the historic fabric of Zilker Park, while avoiding the unnecessary environmental harms that come with ripping out the existing bridge and putting in a new one. Here's how to speak out: The Historic Landmark Commission will hear this case Wednesday, Feb 4 at 6:00 p.m. You can attend in person at City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St. The agenda and backup materials are available HERE.
 SAVE AUSTIN'S SOUL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Post-Trial Update
Austin United PAC’s legal team, led by Save Our Springs Alliance public interest attorneys Bill Bunch and Bobby Levinski, laid out the law and evidence to support reversing the Austin City Clerk's rejection of AUPAC voter petition to call time out on the City's $5.6 billion, 32-year debt-financed convention center project and redirect public spending to support cultural and outdoor tourism that benefits visitors, locals, our creative economy, and our water and parks. If the petitioned ordinance advances and gets approved, these funds would be more equitably spent across the City--rather than just downtown. Judge Mangrum took the case under advisement. AUPAC has requested the Court to order the Austin City Clerk to certify the petition as valid in time for the Austin City Council to place the petitioned ordinance onto a special May 2026 ballot. Key points of the legal argument included:
 In this Issue:
Protect Lady Bird Lake and the East Riverside CorridorThe Austin City Council holds their first regular meeting this Thursday, January 22nd. Just a quick look tells us we have the same city council hell bent on developer deregulation, no matter the harm to Lady Bird Lake, coherent city planning required by city ordinances, or the beauty and quality of life of our city. If you have time, please sign up to speak here and show up at City Hall Thursday at 10 a.m. Let the City Council know you are watching and won't take it lying down. Item 56 on the agenda, the City Council proposes to remove 2.6 acres of Lady Bird Lake shoreline property at 1404 East Riverside Drive from the East Riverside Corridor Plan. The draft City Council resolution proposing to remove this tract from the community-developed Corridor Plan makes the "up is down" argument that removing this tract from the Corridor Plan "will allow for more cohesive development regulations." It further explains the developer wants to create a Planned Unit Development "PUD" on the property. Removing the property from the Corridor Plan and allowing a PUD has the exact opposite purpose: get rid of "cohesive development regulations" and let the developer do what it wants. A Corridor Plan provides consistent standards, standards the developer wants to dodge in ways that are not explained at all. Further, the whole point of a PUD is to, in effect, throw all of the City's development regulations in the trash can and simply write your own, single-site standards. City Code actually says site specific "PUD" zoning should be limited to tracts 10 acres or larger. They regularly ignore this basic standard as proposed here. Up is down; night is day; bad is good. But, hey, they "got the message" and "respect the voters." We ask, how much of the Lake Overlay Ordinance, in place since the 1980s to protect the lake and increase public lakefront park land but torn up for the Statesman PUD and Endeavor's rezoning of the Cidercade property, will be thrown out this time? We won't know until after they tear up the Corridor Plan for this plan-free, special deal lake front property.  Protect Austin from Commercial Sign and Billboard BlightAlso, this Thursday, the City Council is proposing to dramatically deregulate digital signs and billboards. These are Items 64 and 86 on the agenda linked above. SOS joins with Community Not Commodity to urge citizens to speak up and tell the council to slow down. Much of this information is provided by CNC. We haven't had time to decipher all of the proposed changes, but many of the proposed changes will translate into an uglier city, with lots more "for sale" signs. It includes illuminated commercial signs in public rights of way, at bus stops, on residential streets, and at bike share kiosks. There are 2500 bus stops in CAP METRO’s area. In addition, Council is proposing to remove existing limits on relocating billboards that are threatened by condemnation due to “transportation improvements along core transit corridors and future core transit corridors.” Among the restrictions being eliminated is the rule that prohibits moving a billboard to a location within 500 feet of a residential dwelling unit. At the January 13 Planning Commission Meeting, Planning Commission Chair Alice Woods described the digital sign proposal as a “seismic change to what is allowed in our city in terms of digital advertising.” Another commissioner warned that adopting such a “massive” change could make it “difficult to put the rabbit back in the hat.” No wonder they are trying to rush it through before anyone knows what is going on.  Trial Set in Lawsuit to Validate Convention Center Petition This coming Monday, January 26, at 9:00 a.m. SOS staff attorneys will be representing Austin United PAC in its lawsuit against the City of Austin for failing to certify the "Save the Soul of Austin" citizen petition that would give Austin voters the right to delay the City's $5.6 billion convention center project at a May 2026 election. The case has been assigned to the Honorable Travis County District Judge Jessica Mangrum, 200th District Court, on the 9th floor of the Travis County Civil Courthouse at 1700 Guadalupe St. The trial is open to the public and is set for two days. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Please dress appropriately and respect court decorum. There are screens near the elevators that identify the case (D-1-GN-25-010865) and will list the court room. If you aren't aware of the importance of this issue, please watch the Austin Free Press 19 minute documentary, The Magic Hole, here. Note: Because it will be a jury week, parking around the facility may be challenging. There is street parking and a parking garage across 17th Street. As always, we are grateful to the engaged citizens who continue to show up, speak out, and hold City Hall accountable. Your steadfast commitment to Central Texas, to the springs, culture, and protected wild spaces that define this region, remains our strongest defense against backroom deals and deregulation disguised as progress.
In Solidarity, SOS Alliance  In this Issue:
Trial Set in Lawsuit to Validate Convention Center Petition A trial date has been set in the lawsuit filed by Austin United PAC against the City of Austin for rejecting the “Save the Soul of Austin” petition, signed by ~25,000 residents of Austin, which would call a “timeout” on the Austin City Council’s rush to commit an estimated $5.6 billion, over 30 years, for a convention center project, without giving Austin voters a say in the matter. The petitioned ordinance would also prioritize City financial support for Austin’s local live music, arts, cultural, and environmental tourism sectors across the entire city. After the PAC turned in the petition, the City Clerk disqualified over 1,600 signatures, many of which are actively registered voters and should have been counted. For example, the Clerk disqualified signatures for minor discrepancies in names and addresses, but these voters can be easily found on the City of Austin voter rolls. In disqualifying these signatures, the Clerk determined that the petition contained 19,506 valid signatures, short of the required 20,000-signature threshold. The lawsuit asserts that with those wrongfully disqualified signatures, the 20,000-signature threshold was met, and Austinites should be entitled to vote on it at the upcoming May 2026 election. The lawsuit also challenges the City’s violation of the Texas Public Information Act, in keeping secret the statistical sampling method used in preparing the sample used to evaluate the sufficiency of the petition. The trial is set for January 26-27, starting at 9am each day. At this point, we do not know the court room assignment; however, it will be at the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility, at 1700 Guadalupe St, Austin, Texas 78701. There are screens near the elevators that identify the case (D-1-GN-25-010865) and will list the court room. Note: Because it will be a jury week, parking around the facility may be challenging. There are street parking and a parking garage across 17th Street.  BSEACD Drought Chart and Status on January 7, 2026 District Drought UpdateAs we move into 2026, drought conditions in the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer are becoming increasingly severe. 2025 marked the fourth consecutive year of below-average rainfall, leaving Austin with a deficit of nearly 35 inches, which is roughly a year’s worth of rain. At last week’s BSEACD board meeting, staff for the district reported that without significant rain in the beginning of this year, the district will likely enter the most severe stage of drought, Stage 4 Emergency Response Period, by late March or early April. This scenario spells big trouble, not only to Barton Springs itself but also to the people, wildlife, and ecosystems that depend on clean, reliable groundwater in our region. Conserving water aggressively at home and in our communities, supporting policies that reduce impervious cover, fighting water and energy guzzling data centers, and advancing smart water management solutions are critical if we are to protect Barton Springs and sustain the aquifer. Here are some quick resources to put into action and share with your friends and family.
The growing need for people who care and who act is greater than ever. Your support helps keep our springs flowing, our creeks healthy, and the wildlife that depends on them thriving, while giving communities across Texas the tools to make a real difference.
This New Year, make a gift to help Save Our Springs continue our fight to protect these waters and our city. In Solidarity, SOS Alliance |
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