The Watershed Association

Policy Advocacy and Environmental Planning. The Watershed Association works with regional nonprofits, local governments, and resource management agencies to promote sustainable environmental policies that encourage the protection and preservation of land and water resources. The Watershed Association holds a broad lens of the various dynamics affecting water in Central Texas, and engages stakeholders in community and regional planning processes that promote best management practices for new development and incentives for protecting open space for aquifer recharge and water quality. Protect Our Blanco. POB was formed by the Watershed Association and Blanco community members in response to the City of Blanco request to release 1.6 million gallons of wastewater daily into the Blanco River. We are currently collaborating with engineers, hydrogeologists, legal staff, community members, and elected officials to work with the City of Blanco to find an alternative engineering solution for discharge that will satisfy the city's projected growth and be protective of both surface water quality and groundwater quantity and quality. The Watershed Association is acting as fiscal sponsor for Protect Our Blanco, a registered Texas nonprofit. The Water Protectors Fund. A collaborative effort between the Watershed Association and TESPA, the Water Protectors Fund protects our aquifers, springs, creeks, rivers and the sole source of drinking water for thousands of people. This mutual fund acknowledges the threats facing the hill country. population growth, economic development, and frequent droughts. The Watershed Association and TESPA have joined forces to protect our water resources and build an educated citizenry willing to fight for their water. This fund supports science monitoring and research toward sustainable water management solutions, education campaigns to engage landowners, developers and decision makers, policy development through coalition building, collaboration, science based policy and advocacy, and legal defense to protect water quality and availability.

Watershed Protection and Conservation Science. WVWA initiated the Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan CCWPP in 2008, which is the first proactive EPA approved plan in Texas to focus on groundwater protection to support surface water quality. The plan is designed to mitigate nonpoint source pollution and protect groundwater resources. The WVWA continues to serve on the executive committee, working actively with the MCWE to support CCWPP education and outreach activities. WVWA is one of the only nonprofit organizations in the state of Texas collecting quality assured water quality data used to assess whether surface water in the Blanco River and Cypress Creek is meeting Federal Clean Water Act standards. WVWA has been in a partnership with the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority and the Texas Clean Rivers Program since 2003. The Jacob's Well Groundwater Management Zone is an initiative of the WVWA that involves working with regional stakeholders to determine drought triggers and management practices in the critical recharge zone for the Jacob's Well Spring. Working with the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, water utility companies, regional nonprofits, and landowners, we are ensuring that Jacob's Well Spring, the headwaters for Cypress Creek, can maintain flow even during times of drought.