The Current

Edition: October 2023

The Current is the monthly newsletter of Innovative Water Solutions where we 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: Underground rainwater harvesting system on the 2018 Cool House Tour
• FAQ Post of the Month: What can I expect during the installation of a rainwater harvesting system?
• Residential Project of the Month: Dripping Springs Project
• Commercial Project of the Month: The Austonian
• News Article #1: MSU plans graduate training program to address ‘global water crisis’
• News Article #2: The State of California tells Arrowhead bottler to stop taking water from the forest
• News Article #3: How an Austin restaurant waters daily, without breaking water restrictions
• Water Conservation Tip: Let’s talk Xeriscaping
• Current Texas Drought Conditions
• Current Texas Water Calendar
• Video: United Nations sounds warning about global water crisis
• Current Water Restrictions

The project, located in Dripping Springs, has abundant trees that line the property.  Thankfully Innovative Water Solutions insists on installing every residential project with gutter screening to aid in the filtration of leaves, debris and other plant matter.  We know that your gutters are the first contact with rain and that keeping them free of clogs is essential for the health of your rainwater system.  Screens safely act as a protection system and ensure the life of your system and source of water.

The Austonian is a luxurious residential skyscraper located in downtown Austin, Texas, standing as an iconic symbol of the city’s modern skyline. Soaring 56 stories high, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Hill Country and Lady Bird Lake.

Innovative Water Solutions designed and installed an A/C condensate reclamation system on the ninth floor of The Austonian that utilizes eight water storage tanks.  The captured water is then used to irrigate the lush grounds surrounding the skyscraper.  The Austonian is the second tallest building in Austin, Texas.

From the Flint Water Crisis to water shortages across the country that might threaten the Great Lakes water supply, problems of water contamination and scarcity affect people in Michigan and the world.

“These problems are often exacerbated by climate change, aging infrastructure, emerging contaminants and poor decision-making,” said a Michigan State University spokesperson in a news release. “Michigan State University says more highly trained people are needed.”

MSU plans to develop a graduate training program to “create a highly competent workforce with the broad technological, scientific and cultural skills” to address and solve present and future water challenges. The program is coming to MSU with the help of a $3 million National Science Foundation Research Traineeship program award.

The California State Water Resources Control Board approved a cease & desist order forcing Blue Triton, the bottler of Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water, to stop the removal of tens of millions of gallons of water annually from a San Bernardino National Forest spring complex that gave the Arrowhead brand its name.

Nestle’s water rights in the National Forest became the subject of complaints in 2015 and a public outcry spurred a Water Board staff investigation that led to the order’s finding that “Blue Triton does not have any water rights that authorize these diversions and uses.”

Under the order adopted Tuesday, Blue Triton is required to allow the bulk of the water it currently removes to bypass its collection facilities — a series of tunnels, boreholes and a pipeline that occupy public lands — by Nov. 1.

The petition concludes that “one cannot sell what it does not own. And Blue Triton does not own, nor does it hold a right to, the water in Strawberry Creek.”

Plants are a big deal at Austin restaurant Fonda San Miguel.

“We believe that when people drive up, it’s the first impression and so we’ve really gone all out,” founder and owner Thomas Gilliland said.
As water restrictions tightened, caring for these plants became a challenge for property manager Diego Rodriguez who has to water all of them.
“We don’t have any rain and then I work with plants, so the plants need water,” Rodriguez said.

Then they had a seemingly unrelated plumbing problem.
“Well, I noticed the pipe of the drain. It was clogged,” Rodriguez explained.
The clogged pipe was the A/C condensation pipe.

“It was interesting to put a bucket and or a container to see how much water we can collect… [from] the condensation units,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said he saves that water for the plants, which he has to water almost daily.

In total, there are five AC units on top of the restaurant. The condensation produced by the air conditioners is funneled into one pipe and then into the tank. The hotter it is…the more AC is used, the more water is produced.

Let’s talk Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a landscaping method specifically designed for regions prone to drought and limited water supply.

It emphasizes the use of drought-resistant plants, efficient irrigation techniques, and strategic mulching to conserve water.

By choosing native and adaptive plants that require minimal watering, xeriscaping reduces the need for extensive irrigation, promoting sustainable gardening practices.

Beyond water conservation, xeriscaping also encourages soil health and biodiversity, making it an environmentally friendly and visually appealing landscaping solution for arid and semi-arid areas.

Some native plants to consider in Central Texas are; Texas Sage, Black Eyed Susans, Lantana, and Succulents.

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

Water restrictions in Central Texas are changing rapidly as we face one of the worst droughts in history.  It is important to stay up to date with your local restrictions and help conserve during his time.  We do our best to update our webpage, created as a resource, to stay current with local restrictions.  If you have additional questions, please contact your specific city or county.

Feeling the call to collect rainwater?

Having persistent drainage issues?

Interested in learning more about xeriscaping?

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