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  • About
    • About

      The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is committed to conserving, protecting, recharging, and preventing waste of groundwater and preserving all aquifers in the District. The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District was created in 1987 with a directive to conserve, protect, and enhance the groundwater resources in its jurisdictional area.

      • Staff Members
      • Board Members
      • Career Opportunities
      • History
      • Governing Documents
  • Aquifer Science
    • Aquifer Science

      BSEACD Aquifer Science team provides sound science to support policy and tactical decisions made by the District that affect water supply users and endangered species habitat. Collecting basic hydrogeologic data and planning and executing projects enhances the understanding of the water resources within the District’s boundaries.

      • About the Aquifers
      • Drought Status
      • Monitor Wells & Aquifer Data
      • Aquifer Research
  • Regulatory Program
    • Regulatory Program

      The Regulatory Compliance Team is responsible for a wide range of the District’s responsibilities. Regulatory Compliance Team members have also actively attended and participated in community outreach and regional development and planning groups and served as District liaisons to local municipalities, political subdivisions, permittees, and licensed drillers and pump installers in the area.

      • Drought Information & Resources
      • Permit Notices
      • Registration & Forms
      • Exempt or Nonexempt
      • Permit Types & Rules
      • Permit Process, Timeframes, & Fees
      • Well Construction
      • DFC Joint Planning
      • Well Owner Information
  • Education
    • Education

      The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer District actively participates and hosts events designed to engage and educate groundwater users and District residents. Events include stewardship awards, festivals, creek cleanups, presentations to schools and community groups, and teacher trainings.

      • Drought Information & Resources
      • Water Conservation & Protection
      • Videos, Activities & Resource Kits
      • Well Owner Resources
      • Well Components
  • Projects
    • Projects

      The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has a number of special projects to help advance the scientific understanding and better manage groundwater resources within the District.

      • Alternate Water Supplies
      • Aquifer Storage & Recovery
      • Demand Reduction
      • Habitat Conservation Plan
      • Multiport Monitor Wells
      • Onion Creek Recharge Enhancement
      • Pipeline Projects in District
      • Travis County Groundwater Study
      • Trinity Aquifer Sustainable Yield Study
  • Publications
    • Publications

      One of the most effective ways to conserve, protect, and manage our the groundwater resources is to keep you informed of the science, current conditions, and regulations affecting our District. Sign up on the Friends of the District email list and receive: Quarterly newsletters, Aquifer status updates, Drought declarations, Conservation information, and Important news.

      • Maps
      • Scientific Reports
      • Spotlights
  • Transparency
    • Transparency

      The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District strives to meet a high standard by providing clear, consistent pictures of spending, and by sharing information in user-friendly formats, to promote financial transparency and accountability, not only through financial reports but also through summaries, visualizations, downloadable data, and other relevant information.

      • Introduction
      • Summary, Related Links & Contacts
      • Agendas & Backup
      • Budgets & Revisions
      • Check Registers
      • Financial Reports
      • Annual Reports & Financial Audits
      • District Retirement Plan
  • About
    •  Staff Members
    •  Board Members
    •  Career Opportunities
    •  History
    •  Governing Documents
  • Aquifer ScienceAquifer Science
    •  About the Aquifers
    •  Drought Status
    •  Monitor Wells & Aquifer Data
    •  Aquifer Research
  • Regulatory ProgramRegulatory Program
    •  Drought Information & Resources
    •  Permit Notices
    •  Registration & Forms
    •  Exempt or Nonexempt
    •  Permit Types & Rules
    •  Permit Process, Timeframes, & Fees
    •  Well Construction
    •  DFC Joint Planning
    •  Well Owner Information
  • EducationEducation
    •  Drought Information & Resources
    •  Water Conservation & Protection
    •  Videos, Activities & Resource Kits
    •  Well Owner Resources
    •  Well Components
  • ProjectsProjects
    •  Alternate Water Supplies
    •  Aquifer Storage & Recovery
    •  Demand Reduction
    •  Habitat Conservation Plan
    •  Multiport Monitor Wells
    •  Onion Creek Recharge Enhancement
    •  Pipeline Projects in District
    •  Travis County Groundwater Study
    •  Trinity Aquifer Sustainable Yield Study
  • PublicationsPublications
    •  Maps
    •  Scientific Reports
    •  Spotlights
  • Transparency
    •  Introduction
    •  Summary, Related Links & Contacts
    •  Agendas & Backup
    •  Budgets & Revisions
    •  Check Registers
    •  Financial Reports
    •  Annual Reports & Financial Audits
    •  District Retirement Plan

Education

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  3. Water Conservation & Protection
  4. Alternate Supply
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  • Austin Cave Festival
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    • Water Conservation
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  • Well Components
  • Well Owner Resources
  • Augmented Reality

Alternate Supply

Sustainable alternate water supplies can be utilized to help offset demands for groundwater, and reduce waste of natural resources.
  • Rainwater Harvesting
  • DIY Rain Barrel Instructions (PDF)
  • Greywater

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting has been practiced all over the world for thousands of years. Many people, especially in rural areas, have revived the practice and are using it for all their household water requirements. It may not be feasible for a homeowner to convert his/her residence to 100% rainwater collection, but a small system can easily be installed to help meet summer outdoor watering demands.

Collecting and using rainwater for outdoor watering provides a simple alternative to using potable water on the landscape and leaves this more expensive, treated water for human needs such as drinking and cooking. In addition to conserving the precious water resources of our aquifers, lakes, and streams, rainwater harvesting reduces the necessity for new water treatment plants and water storage facilities (which helps to keep the cost of publicly supplied water manageable).

Rainwater harvesting systems come in all shapes and sizes, from a simple container under a downspout to potable systems with thousands of gallons of storage and complex filtration features. Before you begin to plan your own rainwater harvesting system, check with local government agencies and homeowner associations for any applicable regulations.

Click on the image to download the PDF instructions to make your own low-cost DIY rain barrel at home!

More Info

  • Hill Country Alliance: Annual Rainwater Revival
  • Cow Creek GCD: Rainwater System Introduction Video and How-To Video
  • Texas Water Development Board: Rainwater Harvesting
  • Texas Cooperative Extension: Rainwater Harvesting and In-Home Use Videos
  • City of Austin: Onsite Water Reuse Systems
  • Hill Country Alliance: Rainwater Harvesting & Rainwater Revival
  • PDF: Texas AgriLIFE Extension – Rainwater Harvesting
  • PDF: BSEACD Rainwater Harvesting Brochure
  • PDF: BSEACD’s Rainwater Harvesting System Schematic
  • PDF: BSEACD and CAMN Rainwater Harvesting Presentation

Greywater Resources

Reusing water in a beneficial way helps to reduce your household water footprint and groundwater demands. Greywater can be utilized and reused from bathroom sinks, showers, and washing machines for outdoor irrigation and other specific non-potable uses. Before adopting any water reuse practices in your home, be sure to check with your local government for any reuse restrictions or regulations specific to your area.

  • H2ouse: Greywater Installation Tips
  • TCEQ: Beneficial Re-Use of Graywater and Alternative Onsite Water
  • Cit of Austin: Residential Gray Water FAQ
  • Glenrose Engineering: Graywater
  • Alliance for Water Efficiency: Graywater Intro
  • Texas Administrative Code: Chapter 201, Subchapter F: Use of Graywater Systems

The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is committed to conserving, protecting, recharging, and preventing waste of groundwater and preserving all aquifers in the District.

Contact Us

Call, email, or stop by the District Headquarters if you have any questions, comments, or feedback for us.

  • 1124 Regal Row, Austin, Texas 78748
  • Phone: (512) 282-8441
  • Fax: (512) 282-7016
  • bseacd@bseacd.org

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