The Current

Edition: June 2023

The Current is the monthly newsletter of Innovative Water Solutions where he highlight the great stuff happening at our company and also bring you up-to-date with some of the current water news that could affect you. We hope you enjoy the newsletter!

• Blog Post of the Month: Can I install a rainwater harvesting system to solve drainage issues?
• FAQ Post of the Month: How much Rainwater can I collect from my roof?
• Residential Project of the Month: Multi Tank Install
• Commercial Project of the Month:  Hutto Lake Park
• “Water News” #1: Austin’s 100 year water plan
• “Water News” #2: Beer from recycled shower water?!
• “Water News” #3:  Leander begins Rainwater Harvesting Incentives
• Water Conservation Tip : Summer Watering
• Current Texas Drought Conditions
• Current Texas Water Calendar
• Local Business of the Month: Steve Jackson Games
• Video: Who is really using all the water in the American West?
• Service and Maintenance Programs

When just one tank isn’t enough, two can get the job done!

This client needed multiple tanks to provide irrigation for their property.  Rainwater is an excellent source of water for irrigation, plants love the clean, salt and mineral free water source.   In addition to using the captured water, the installation of rain tanks prevents runoff and soil erosion.  The water can also be used to water livestock, fill a stock tank or pond and allows for year round access to restriction free water.

Hutto Lake Park is  a scenic park nestled near the Lakeside Estates subdivision in Hutto Texas.

Hutto Lake Park has beautiful walking trails, multiple playgrounds, picnic areas and a scenic lake that includes catch and release fishing.

Innovative Water Solutions designed and installed rainwater harvesting tanks that are used for the operations of the park’s bathrooms and irrigation system.  The water is used for washing hands, flushing toilets and irrigating the landscape surrounding the area.

In response to extreme drought conditions, population growth and a changing climate, Austin Water has developed a 100-year plan to ensure a diversified, sustainable, and resilient water future for the next century and beyond.
Austin, Texas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Experts estimate that the Austin metro area added 55,269 people in 2017; that’s more than 151 people each day. The reasons for Austin’s population surge have been widely documented—from a lower cost of living compared to the East and West coasts and a bustling jobs market—yet growth at this speed puts an undeniable strain on resources like safe, reliable water supplies. And, with the Austin region expected to experience longer and more severe drought conditions in the future, water planning has become more challenging than ever before.
To establish a path forward, Austin Water partnered with CDM Smith to proactively plan for its future with an Integrated Water Resource Plan (IWRP) that supports the utility’s enduring commitment to a diversified, sustainable and resilient water future.

Read more here

After years of historic drought in California, water recycling has become a pressing issue – but just how much can be done with what we’ve got?

A water-recycling company is seeking to answer that question, with help from a local brewery. The result is a beer made from wastewater!

Epic OneWater Brew, from Epic Cleantec and Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, is made from greywater recycled from showers, laundry and bathroom sinks in a 40-story San Francisco apartment building, where Epic has onsite equipment to capture, treat and reuse water.

Read more here

In an effort to conserve water, the city of Leander is starting a rainwater harvesting program that provides the community a discounted price on collection barrels for their homes.

The 50 gallon rain barrels are designed to collect rainwater that flows off the roof of a home that can then be used for different applications, such as watering home gardens and washing vehicles.

As the city continues to grow in size and population, it is trying to find ways to conserve water. The city hired a water conservation program coordinator last summer to bring new ideas and education to the community.

“We’ve had a lot of growth. It was very rapid, and our water system has struggled to keep up,” Bill Teeter, Leander’s conservation coordinator, explained.

The city of Leander is currently in a moderate drought. The city has experienced 4.28″ of rain since the start of the year, according to KXAN’s meteorologist team.

Read more here

Summer Water Conservation Tips

1. Water in the Early Morning or Evening
Watering your lawn and plants in either the early morning or evening is best. When the sun is high, water quickly evaporates. Put your water to better use by watering at times when moisture is more likely to stay in the soil.

2. Cover Your Pool
If you own a pool, make sure to cover it even in the summertime. Leaving your pool open leads to water evaporation, which results in filling up your pool more often.

3. Layer Your Mulch
Apply a thick layer of bark mulch to your trees, shrubs, and gardens to help retain moisture and limit the need to water your plants as often.

Summer is peak water usage season, help control your water needs with these helpful tips.

SOURCE: National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).

Steve Jackson games are well know in the industry, and based right here in Austin Texas.  Many are quirky and vary in age and skill level.  “Munchkin” may be one of the most popular offerings, the game consists of card play and the instructions tell the gamer to “Go down in the dungeon. Kill everything you meet. Backstab your friends and steal their stuff. Grab the treasure and run.”

Other games range from Board Games, Role Playing Games, Digital Games or “Just Plain Weird” Games.

There truly is something for everyone.

Find more information at http://www.sjgames.com/

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