Round Rock enacts new conservation strategies From the cover
How it works
The setup
Round Rock has installed 5,450 feet of pipelines for reuse water in the last ve years, with plans to install 10,000 more feet in the next two years. Known as “purple pipe,” these lines distribute recycled wastewater for landscape irrigation and other nonpotable uses. What is a purple pipe?
restrictions in times of drought. “There’s advantages there because we can adjust how we pull that water for our community,” Thane said. Round Rock sources the majority of its drinking water from the Brazos River Authority, and also pulls from the Lower Colorado River Authority and some city-owned ground wells. BRA Chief Operations Ocer Brad Brunett said the agency is expecting a “normal” year for its reservoirs, which were sitting a few feet below “full” in March. At the time, he said he did not anticipate substantial restrictions this summer. However, when it comes to LCRA, Executive Vice President of Water John Hofmann told Community Impact via email that reservoirs were sitting at about 50% capacity in March due to lower precipitation.
City data shows Round Rock’s water usage increases in April each year. However, the city has implemented several conservation initiatives that are already resulting in lower water usage. Data shows that summer 2024 usage was lower than the year prior. In 2023, the city launched an education campaign to encourage residents to reduce watering to two days per week year-round, joining a roster of programs. These include a rebate on rain barrels and native plant boxes, expanded access to its reuse system, and adjusted landscaping requirements. The reuse system, also known as purple pipe, connects recycled water to irrigation and cooling systems to reduce potable water use. Public Works Director Michael Thane said the city sources its potable water from multiple places to allow for planning and less stringent
Step 1: Wastewater is ushed in Round Rock homes and transported through wastewater lines to the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Step 2: At the wastewater treatment plant, wastewater is treated to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards. Some of this water is diverted to the city’s reuse pipeline.
Round Rock water usage Data from the city of Round Rock shows that residents used about 200 million gallons of water less per day last summer than in summer 2023.
Million gallons per day
1,000 1,200
Step. 3: Existing purple pipelines transport reclaimed water to dierent parts of the city using the recently expanded pipe system.
200 400 600 800
0
Step 4: Reuse water customers can irrigate golf courses and landscaping, and tap into the system for other nonpotable water sources at a at rate.
2023
2024
2025
Feb.
April
June
Aug.
Oct.
Dec.
Feb.
April
June
Aug.
Oct.
Dec.
Feb.
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCKCOMMUNITY IMPACT
A multi-disciplinary spine center of excellence for scoliosis, artificial disc and back and neck pain
AUSTIN • ROUND ROCK • KYLE • BURNET FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED SPINE SURGEONS: John Stokes, MD • Eeric Truumees, MD • Alex Cruz, MD SCOLIOSIS: Matthew Geck, MD • Rory Mayer, MD NON-SURGICAL SPINE CARE / PHYSICAL MEDICINE: Kunj Amin, MD • Eric Mayer, MD • Lee Moroz, MD • Enrique Pena , MD Texas Spine & Scoliosis combines board-certified and fellowship trained spine surgeons, scoliosis surgeons, non-surgical spine MDs, spine therapy gym, MRI and the most advanced EOS diagnostics — all under one roof. Texas Spine & Scoliosis is designated as a Blue Distinction Regional Spine Center by Blue Cross Blue Shield and certified by
the Joint Commission for Spine Surgery. If you have a back or neck problem, consider a second opinion from a spine center of excellence proficient in minimally invasive surgery and artificial disc. Learn what might be causing your back or neck symptoms, along with some home remedies, by clicking on the QR code below.
Appointments: 512-324-3580 TexasSpineandScoliosis.com Texas Spine & Scoliosis
36
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook