The Edwards Aquifer and its Great Springs are being polluted by runoff from urban development. When land is cleared, paved, and piped, there are numerous pollutants introduced into the ecosystem such as silt and sediment from construction sites, oil and grease from roads, and pesticides and fertilizers from lawns and golf courses. The U.S. Geological Survey completed a very extensive report on how quickly pollutants emerge at Barton Springs after a rainstorm. For a detailed introduction to the impacts of urbanization on watersheds, watch this slideshow.

This section of our website gives details on specific pollution threats for the Barton Springs watershed of the Edwards Aquifer, as well as ways in which those threats can be mitigated and the quality of our water can be protected.

For more information on a particular issue, please select from the Problems / Solutions menu above.