 Submit Your Comments by May 3 and Spread the Word The public comment clock on the MoPac South Draft Environmental Assessment is ticking down. If you haven’t submitted your comment, now is the time. We will be adding more technical and legal comments before the Sunday at midnight deadline, but we need you -- all of our friends and supporters -- to write your comments and hit "send." The voice of the community matters here. Make it personal and urge them to recognize the impacts will be many and significant if they go forward with the proposed project. Ask for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and less harmful alternatives. Austin City Council, Travis County Commissioners Court, and the Urban Transportation Commission agree. Save Our Springs Alliance has filed a lawsuit against CTRMA for refusing to release public comments and violating the Texas Public Information Act by withholding as “confidential” public comments filed in the Agency’s official public comment process. You can find the lawsuit here. While that legal process moves forward, your comment matters even more. Take Action You can submit more than one comment! The period ends this SUNDAY, MAY 3rd at Midnight.
 Hays Residents Push Back on Hays Commons’ “Poopy Proposition” Milestone Community Builders thinks its “poo” doesn’t stink; perhaps, that’s why it tried to sneak through a development agreement, without proper notice, at the Hays County Commissioners Court, for a massive new residential and commercial subdivision that would spray treated effluent over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Luckily, we were watching. The development agreement—and an associated item on the agenda—included a variance to the Hays County Development Regulations designed to protect the Edwards Aquifer from overdevelopment. Specifically, Milestone asked to reduce the minimum lot size requirements from 0.75 acres to 0.16-0.20 acres (an 80% reduction). Because the recharge zone is extremely vulnerable to contamination from urban development, due to its unique, porous karst geology, surface water and pollutants enter rapidly through sinkholes and cracks with little-to-no natural filtration. That’s why the County regs limit the overall development intensity over the recharge zone through one of the few controls it has under state law, by requiring larger lots. The applicant’s variance application argues that smaller, clustered lots will reduce environmental impacts compared to larger lots dispersed across the property. In theory, clustering can lessen environmental disturbance, but that only works if the overall intensity of development remains the same and if the infrastructure serving that development does not introduce new environmental harms. Those assumptions do not hold here. Rather than reducing impact, the applicant invoked the clustering principle to justify maximizing the site’s development potential. Much of the site cannot be developed, because it is in the floodplain or has other challenges. This creates a fundamental contradiction. By shifting to the flatter lands, they end up building more lots than they otherwise would be able to achieve. Also, while the housing units are repositioned to keep more structures off the recharge zone, the proposal simultaneously relies on a Texas Land Application Permit (TLAP) system that would spray treated wastewater effluent from those households directly onto that same recharge zone. In effect, the plan shifts buildings away from the most sensitive area, only to use that area (the recharge zone) as the project’s wastewater disposal field, undermining the very environmental rationale offered to support the variance.  Milestone cannot credibly claim environmental protection by relocating structures, while spraying its poo over the area it claims to protect. It’s a poopy proposition. Nor can Milestone justify the ~128,000 million gallons of groundwater per year that its preliminary engineering report says it will pump from the Lower Trinity Aquifer. Dozens of Hays County residents submitted comments and spoke out, including powerful statements by City of Hays Mayor Lydia Bryan-Valdez and State Representative Erin Zweiner. Ultimately, Judge Ruben Becerra removed the applicant’s request for a variance from the agenda (Item K.7), and Comm. Walt Smith conceded that the development agreement was posted without proper notice (Item K.6). The good news is, perhaps, that we’re now aware of Milestone’s backroom dealings. The items will likely be headed back to the Hays County Commissioners Court in a couple months. Meanwhile, Save Our Springs continues to contest Milestone’s Texas TLAP permit (spraying effluent over the recharge zone) at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and is actively suing to overturn the approval of their Municipal Utility District (MUD) application. We cannot do this without your support. We have an immediate need to raise funds to support expert testimony in these actions. Please consider donating to SOS today. Every little bit helps get us closer to being able to fund the scientific studies and reports that will help us defend the water quality of the Edwards Aquifer.  Data Centers Update: Disappointment and Progress
Amongst protecting the water quality of our creeks and aquifers from roads and developers, SOS is also working hard to encourage cities and counties to act to protect our local water supplies from overuse. Data centers, as you are likely aware, are among the worst water wasters. Depending on the size of the facility and the cooling technology it uses, a single data center’s annual water use can rival that of entire neighborhoods or small towns. There are two actions that occurred last week that we want to highlight. Guadalupe County. Last Tuesday, on a split 3-2 vote, the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court voted to approve a tax abatement and a development agreement for the Cloudburst Data Center, near the Hays County border. This is one of the larger data centers planned in our drought-prone region. How much water will Cloudburst use for cooling and its planned gas power plant? They won’t say.
San Marcos, Texas. We’re getting there in San Marcos. That same Tuesday, the SMtx City Council considered amendments to its land development code. Several of the amendments pertained to data centers.
 Austin Stands United on “Mopac South Expansion.” We Deserve a full Environmental Impact Statement and Reconsideration of Alternatives. In a powerful display of unity from local elected officials, both the Austin City Council (unanimously) and the Travis County Commissioners Court approved actions calling upon the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to prepare a full environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed expansion of MoPac South. As County Commissioner Brigid Shea said, “If you’ve done even a preliminary review and it shows likely environmental harm, you shouldn’t be proceeding,” Shea said. “You should stop and go back and do a full environmental impact statement.” The message is clear: our elected officials acknowledge that this highway expansion will have significant environmental impacts that require thorough review, not the deceptive "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) that CTRMA is trying to push through.  Hundreds of concerned citizens turned out last week for the MoPac South Town Hall at Austin High on Earth Day Community Voices Ring Out at MoPac Town Hall Last week's MoPac Town Hall, hosted by Save Our Springs Alliance and the Better MoPac Coalition, was a tremendous success. THANK YOU! Hundreds of students, parents, environmentalists, and concerned residents packed the Austin High School cafeteria to speak out against this destructive highway expansion and to call foul on CTRMA's proposed FONSI. And for good reason. This expansion will:
It’s time to demand better. The community is tired of watching CTRMA and TxDOT sacrifice our environment, public health, and quality of life for highway expansions that don’t solve congestion. Two Critical Actions You Can Take This Week 1. Attend the CTRMA Board Meeting – Wednesday, April 29th at 9am This is our chance to speak directly to the decision-makers. Show up on Wednesday morning at 9am and tell the CTRMA Board to:
2. Submit Your Comments by May 3rd -- and Spread the Word! The deadline for public comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment is this Saturday, May 3rd. This is one of the most important ways you can make your voice heard. You can submit more than one comment—and please share this widely: socials, workplaces, family, friends, and your communities (running groups, paddling crews, trail runners, water lovers). A huge number of people still haven’t heard anything about this highway expansion, and the only support we’re seeing for proposed plan is coming from those who stand to profit from it. What to Include in Your Comments:
Demand a Full EIS: CTRMA is cutting corners with a predetermined FONSI. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, a full EIS is required when a project will significantly impact the environment. Drilling into the Edwards Aquifer, harming endangered species, damaging parks, and worsening air quality next to Austin High School are all significant impacts that should trigger a full EIS. Question the Outdated Analysis: This project started in 2011, and the traffic model used to dismiss alternatives was finalized in 2012—over 14 years ago. Since then, we've had a pandemic, expanded telecommuting, and approved Project Connect. We need CTRMA to rethink this project with reconsideration of alternatives, updated data, and consideration of local goals and policies. Challenge the "Benefits": After 5-7 years of disruptive construction, the project will save only 5-6 minutes for someone traveling the entire 8.77-mile length during rush hour. Meanwhile, construction delays will largely zero out these minimal improvements. Protect Endangered Species: CTRMA admits the expansion will adversely affect 4 federally endangered species but refuses to consider design alternatives that could avoid these impacts. Construction will threaten the clean flow of groundwater to Barton Springs and kill cave ecosystems that cannot be restored. Demand Clean Air for Students: Austin High School students and nearby residents will be exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from increased traffic, tire wear, and brake dust. CTRMA's claim that air quality will improve despite 331 million more vehicle miles traveled per year being added to the corridor is not credible. Protect Our Water: The proposed water quality treatment doesn't meet the standards that Travis County and the City of Austin use for their own roads. During construction, sediment and pollutants will flow directly into the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, causing irreversible harm. How to Submit Comments: Easiest option: Use the Better MoPac Coalition's custom form at bettermopaccoalition.org. Email: [email protected] Mail: Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, ATTN: MoPac South, 3300 N. IH-35, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78705 Voicemail (3 minutes max): 512-387-5811 Tips for Effective Comments:
Every city has traffic problems, but there's only one Barton Springs. No other City in the world has such a unique, spring-fed pool minutes from downtown. We don't have to accept CTRMA's false choice between destructive highway expansion and doing nothing. We can demand better solutions that protect our environment, keep our air and water clean, and invest in modern, sustainable alternatives like transit and demand management. We can also pursue small tweaks to fix bottlenecks to get traffic moving at a fraction of the cost, without construction delays, using existing pavement. The momentum is building. Let's finish what we started. Submit your comments by May 3rd, and we'll see you at the CTRMA Board meeting on April 29th. For more information, maps, and resources, visit bettermopaccoalition.org In Solidarity, Save Our Springs Alliance & Better MoPac Coalition Water Conservation: The Broken River Part 2, The Economics of Massive Water-Pipe Replacement4/14/2026
by Paul Robbins  TheWaterMeloonProjec/Stock.adobe.com In This Story… • The lower first cost of Handcox water treatment plant makes it tempting to overlook fixing old water pipes as an alternative. But a lifecycle analysis has never been done to compare the two options. • A preliminary lifecycle analysis of replacing old water pipe, including water savings, maintenance savings, using the system to supply more people, as well as long-term costs of water treatment maintenance and reconstruction, makes the cost of new pipe the more economic option. The Choice of the Century Should Austin cancel construction of the second Handcox water treatment plant and opt for water-pipe replacement instead? Replacing all of Austin’s Polybutylene and Cast Iron pipe would save roughly 14% of Austin’s 2024 water consumption at a first cost of $1.7 billion in 2025 dollars. (Interest is not included.) A superficial glance would lead one to assume that, from an economic view, it would be simpler to adopt a tolerance for a considerable amount of leakage. The first cost of a water treatment plant, about $145 million in 2025 dollars, is cheaper. However, Austin lacks a lifecycle economic analysis comparing treatment capacity and water supply with pipeline replacement. Since new pipelines are expected to literally last a century (by one estimate, ductile iron pipe can last 250 years), a lifecycle analysis is essential to understand the real economics. And from a survival perspective, Austin could have treatment plants on every block, but if there is no water to supply them in the new era of climate change, these plants would be unusable. Add to this, Austin is looking hard at expensive sources of alternative water to mitigate its Highland Lakes supply when impacted by population increases and future drought. This author has tried to compare the cost of a massive public works project, christened the Broken River Replacement Project, to water treatment plants as well as an alternative source of water. Handcox Water Treatment Plant Unit 2 – The first cost for an additional 50 MGD of capacity is $145 million. (Interest is not included.) However, all of its components can be assumed to be replaced between 1 and 4 more times. There will also be 100 years of operation and maintenance, including employee salaries, electricity supply, and treatment chemicals. Pipe replacement has inherent savings that water treatment plants and alternative supplies do not. New pipes avoid the purchase of untreated water (in the case of the treatment plant, from LCRA). They save 100 years of costs for water lost through leaks that can then be sold to customers. And assuming that Austin densifies, with more people living in the same land footprint, more water provided with the same pipeline will bring the delivered cost down. The average annual volume saved by this new pipe in the timespan of a century will equal the average yearly output of the treatment plant. According to preliminary lifecycle estimates, Handcox Unit 2 will cost between $1.07 and $1.54 per thousand gallons. However, despite the huge $1.7 billion capital expense of the Broken River Replacement Project, as well as its upkeep, the costs range on the order of 59¢ to $1.37¢ per thousand gallons, with the midpoint below the average lifecycle cost of a new treatment plant. The cost range varies with the assumption that the same water pipe footprint can serve 43% more people as the city densifies. This is less than half the population increase that is expected in Austin in the 100-year timespan. (The low cost assumes no increase in pipeline size, while the high cost assumes a 78% increase in volume capacity.)  Aquifer Storage Reservoir – Pipe replacement also competes well with alternative water supplies. Austin’s utility is in the formative stages of developing an Aquifer Storage Reservoir in rural areas east of Austin. This would initially store the equivalent of about 4 months of Austin’s current use underground, with surplus water supplied to it in rainy years. This would be drawn on in emergencies. These emergencies, however, can last as long as 5 years during extended droughts. The $1.5 billion cost for the aquifer storage and pipeline, when completed by 2035, would provide water at more than $6.36 per thousand gallons of water stored.  Surviving a Drought is Not a Luxury The assumptions in this 100-year comparison of the Broken River Replacement Project can be debated. The point of publishing this challenge is that Austin Water will not debate them. The utility is inexorably tethered to a dated business model that values new treatment plants over all else. A megadrought only 15 years from now can trigger a dire situation where Austin can no longer depend on its historic water supplies. A new approach is no longer a luxury. It is a prerequisite. 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:
 MoPac South Town Hall: Learn. Discuss. Take Action. Austin faces a defining moment, and we're ready to meet it head on. CTRMA’s draft Environmental Assessment is full of holes and downplays real damage this expansion would cause to our aquifer, the unique ecosystems above and below ground, and our communities. Join your neighbors, transportation and environmental experts, and leaders from Austin ISD, Travis County, and local conservation groups on Earth Day, Wednesday April 22nd from 6-8 PM at the Austin High School cafeteria, the campus that would be hit the hardest by this disaster plan. Come ask tough questions, share your perspective, and submit official comments before the upcoming May 3rd deadline. We’ll provide pizza, beverages, and childcare, so that all ages (and parents) can participate. What’s at stake? 7-9 new lanes along 8.8 miles of MoPac—from Enfield Road to Slaughter Lane—directly over Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, the Butler Trail bridge, Barton Springs, and Austin High School. This project won’t fix traffic; it will make it worse, while increasing water, air, noise, and light pollution along the corridor. Show up and help shape the future of MoPac and protect Austin’s water, parks, schools, neighborhoods, and public health.  Help Save Austin’s Historic Barton Springs Bridge Speaking of taking matters into our own hands, here’s one that’s been building for a while. The Barton Springs Bridge, built in 1926 and expanded in 1946, is a centerpiece of Zilker Park and part of the National Register Historic District. But the City is planning to tear it down and replace it with a massive highway-style bridge, nearly twice as wide, at a cost of $54.5 million, while destroying parkland, harming Barton Creek, and disrupting access for years. The good news? The City’s own experts have confirmed that the bridge can be restored and upgraded for bike and pedestrian access at a fraction of the cost. Austin has a history of saving its iconic bridges. In 1997, the Lamar Bridge (much like Barton Springs Bridge) was threatened with sudden demolition. The community stepped in, and instead of tearing it down, Austin preserved the bridge and built the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge alongside it, improving bike and pedestrian access without sacrificing history. Now, we can do the same with Barton Springs Bridge, protecting our iconic architecture and Barton Creek while creating safer, smarter connections for everyone. The Barton Springs Bridge will most likely be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission at City Hall on Wednesday, May 6 at 6 PM. Please plan to join us if you can—and help spread the word to others! In the interim, we’ve prepared a letter to the Mayor, Austin City Council, Austin Historic Landmark Commissioners, Austin Parks Board, and Austin Environmental Commission members, asking them to halt demolition and pursue restoration. You can join the cause! Add your name to the letter and help show city leaders that Austin stands for historic preservation, smart growth, and protecting our parks and waterways.
The plan sets a target for carbon-free energy by 2035; however, Austin Energy continues to evaluate the addition of new fossil fuel generation, including methane gas-fired peaker plant which would increase greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. The alternative is to continue investing in local batteries and solar, as well as energy efficiency and demand response. Please come out to one or more of the meetings and speak up for the clean energy path. And bring a friend!
 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: RESCHEDULED May 2nd, 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. It’s a busy month! But don’t let the MoPac South expansion move forward without your voice. Join us at the MoPac South Town Hall on April 22, come ready with your hard questions, and tell everyone you know who love the caves, the water, the trails, and the Lake—this plan hits so much of what we love about Austin. Sign up, show up, and speak up. We appreciate you! In Solidarity, SOS Alliance  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 |
Archives
June 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed
Save Our Springs Alliance
|
Quick Links |
SOS is a 501 c3 non profit and your donation is tax deductible