Read the City's water quality protection publications.
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Programs
Watershed Protection uses administrative criteria (known as “rules”) and ordinances to help prevent flooding, erosion and water pollution. The rules and ordinance processes use City staff and external stakeholders to create and refine regulations.
Partnering with local automotive repair and fueling businesses to reduce pollution and water quality degradation of our creeks and lakes. Help recognize those businesses that go the extra mile to protect our environment.
The Surface Water team (SWT) has contributed substantially to knowledge about coal tar sealants and to the current City of Austin ban on the use of coal tar sealants.
Austin has numerous creeks throughout town. All are subject to flash flooding. The creek flooding program undertakes projects to protect lives and reduce property damage when these creeks overflow their banks.
The Stream Restoration Program’s objective is to create a stable stream system that decreases property loss from erosion and increases the beneficial uses of our waterways.
The Flood Early Warning System monitors rainfall, water levels and low water crossings in Austin 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During a flood, we work closely with emergency managers for the most effective and timely community response.
Austin lies in the heart of Flash Flood Alley. Whether or not you live in a floodplain, it is critical that you be alert to the dangers of flooding both in your home or around town. Since 1960, 54 people have died in flash floods in Travis County.
Summary of this page
About 10% of land in Austin is in the floodplain, subject to the dangers of flash flooding. The Floodplain Office administers local and federal development rules, meant to limit damage and protect lives, and maintains floodplain maps and models.
Ready for a challenge that will help you save money and protect our natural environment? Check out our guide to learn how to adopt new, earth-friendly habits pertaining to transportation, pet care, gardening, energy and water use, and more.
The Green City Initiative is a partnership between the City of Austin and the community, with the goal of preserving and protecting Austin's environment.
Grow Green is a gardening education program promoting sustainable landscaping practices. It addresses water quality and conservation, recycling, and an Integrated Pest Management philosophy, which encourages the least-toxic way to address pest issues,
Summary of this page
Ever notice how our creeks and rivers are "trashed" after a storm? That's because rain and wind push pollutants downhill to the lowest point in the area - the creek or the lake. Trash is the largest and most visible urban creek pollutant.
Before stormwater runoff reaches a creek, it usually flows through a system of smaller ditches and drainage pipes. Austin has over 1,100 miles of such systems. The Local Flood Program evaluates and upgrades these systems to address flooding.
The Watershed Master Plan assesses erosion, flood and water quality problems in Austin. It also prioritizes and implements effective solutions that address all three problems. Solutions include projects, programs and regulations.
The goal of the pollution prevention and reduction Program is to prevent or minimize polluting discharges to Austin's creeks and lakes through the Spills and Complaints Response and Stormwater Discharge Permit programs.
The Regional Stormwater Management Program provides developers an alternative to providing on-site detention ponds. Instead, developers have the option to pay a fee that will be used by the City for regional flooding solutions.
Although review activities are primarily the responsibility of the Environmental Review and Inspection Division (ERID), the Watershed Engineering and the Environmental Resource Management Division assist with reviews.
Austin is home to three species of aquatic salamander that occur no where else in the world except in and around this city: The Barton Springs salamander, Austin Blind salamander and Jollyville Plateau salamander.
Dog and cat waste left on the ground is more than smelly and unsightly….it pollutes our water and poses a health risk for pets and people, especially children! Please remember to always Scoop the Poop and to dispose of pet waste properly!
Summary
The City of Austin storm drain marking program is a hands-on project for volunteers who are interested in educating the public about pollution prevention.
Watershed Protection’s Stormwater Management program designs, implements and evaluates engineered systems that reduce pollution in our creeks, lakes and aquifers. The program seeks to use stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product.
For years, Austin’s Waller Creek has been beset by flooding, erosion and litter. The creek corridor has taken on a neglected character and has fallen short of its potential. The Waller Creek Tunnel Project, the first step toward reintegrating the creek into the life of Austin, will address these problems.
Watershed Protection’s Water Quality Monitoring Programs collect data on area creeks, lakes and aquifers to evaluate the health of the aquatic systems in Austin.
Watershed Protection’s Youth Education program provides school outreach, field trips, curriculum and service learning opportunities to encourage informed decision-making about choices that impact Austin’s water quality.
Services
Developers If an IPM plan is required, developers should be informed during the development review process. It is then their responsibility to submit, and comply with, a plan. If the land is then sold, it is their responsibility to communicate the need for the new land owner to abide by the plan.
Homeowners If you own an individual parcel of land that requires a site plan review and no developer or previous owner has submitted an IPM pl
Developers If an IPM plan is required, developers should be informed during the development review process. It is then their responsibility to submit, and comply with, a plan. If the land is then sold, it is their responsibility to communicate the need for the new land owner to abide by the plan.
Homeowners If you own an individual parcel of land that requires a site plan review and no developer or previous owner has submitted an IPM pl
