The goal of the Water Quality Protection program is to prevent, detect, evaluate and reduce water pollution in order to protect water quality and aquatic life in Austin's creeks, lakes and aquifers.

A wide range of pollution control strategies includes:

• Inspect and permit small businesses to prevent pollution discharges.
• Respond to emergency spills and pollution complaints
• Educate citizens on ways to prevent pollution
• Build water quality structural controls to treat contaminated storm water
• Monitor lakes, creeks and groundwater to identify problem areas and to help plan effective protection.