As a generation of water and wastewater operators near retirement in Texas, it could become more difficult to provide safe drinking water and to protect state waterways from pollutants, experts say.
Carlos Anchondo
Carlos Anchondo wrote about water and environmental issues as a fellow at The Texas Tribune in 2018-19. He received a master’s degree in journalism program from the University of Texas at Austin. Carlos previously reported for The Austin American-Statesman and Catholic Spirit, the newspaper for the Diocese of Austin. Carlos is an avid runner and enjoys time spent on Austin’s Greenbelt.
Posted in
Environment
Texas parks department, advocates pushing Congress to reauthorize key conservation fund
The chief of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says the absence of the 54-year-old Land and Water Conservation Fund is a “substantial loss” for state parks and natural areas.
Posted in
Economy
Amid industrial boom, Corpus Christi officials look to meet growing water demand
As more oil and gas facilities come online in the Coastal Bend, the city and port of Corpus — and a handful of private companies — are planning to build a bevy of seawater desalination plants.
Posted in
Environment
Report: Toxic herbicide found in many Texans’ drinking water
Nearly 500 water utilities across the state tested positive for atrazine — a weed killer — which can lead to harmful health effects, according to a new report. The Environmental Working Group also found that utilities are testing water during times when the herbicide isn’t being used as much — and that they may be lowballing the results.
Posted in
Environment
Reef restoration projects aim to bolster Texas’ record-low oyster population
The Nature Conservancy plans to use settlement money from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to construct new oyster reefs in Galveston and Copano bays.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Democratic women lead biggest shift in Texas House since 2010 midterms
Led by female candidates, Texas Democrats picked up 12 Texas House seats from Republicans, mostly in North Texas. But Republicans still have the edge in the lower chamber.
Posted in
Environment
Austin lifts city-wide boil water notice
After seven days of boiling their water, Austin Water customers are once again allowed to consume water directly from the tap.
Posted inState Government
Austin issues city-wide boil water notice; calls for action “to avoid running out of water”
As Austin Water works to stabilize the water treatment system, customers are being asked to boil water for at least three minutes before drinking it.
Posted in
Environment
After historic Texas flooding, officials will likely open more floodgates on Central Texas dam
After the wettest September in Texas history, multiple Central Texas reservoirs are completely full. That has forced officials to consider releasing a historic amount of water down the Colorado River.
Posted in
Environment
Report from environmental group warns of bacteria risk at Texas beaches, rivers
The report claims fecal bacteria at Texas beaches, rivers and lakes frequently reached unsafe levels in 2017.