The Austin area lies above one of the most productive aquifers in the country, the Edwards Aquifer. However, the aquifer is also very vulnerable to pollution that can travel through porous limestone layers from activities on the surface.
In 1998, Austinites voted to purchase land and conservation easements to protect the water quality and quantity in the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, creating the Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) program. The Barton Springs segment stores and moves water from just north of Kyle, north to its major discharge, Barton Springs, located in the heart of Austin. The WQPL safeguards groundwater that emerges at Barton Springs through the conservation and restoration of large, connected natural areas. Voters have continued to support the WQPL, approving several more bonds to purchase land to protect water. Currently, the WQPL program includes more than 34,000 acres of conservation lands.
Managing Land for Water
The City of Austin manages the Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) for optimal quality and quantity of water entering the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. The majority of the Water Quality Protection Lands are being restored to or maintained as native grassland savannas. To restore these ecosystems to benefit groundwater resources, we use prescribed fire, mechanical removal of brush, and the seeding and planting of native grasses and wildflowers. These techniques help mimic natural processes, like wildfire and occasional intense herbivory, that maintained these areas as savanna for thousands of years before European colonization. Pollinators, grassland birds and many species in the grassland savanna ecosystem benefit from this type of management.
Austin Water will notify the public and neighbors before each prescribed burn event. Neighbors or anyone interested, can sign up to receive notifications by email at bit.ly/rxburnnotification.
Get Involved
The Water Quality Protection Lands program offers recreation and education opportunities through the Maxwell Trail, and guided hikes and volunteer activities on other parts of the WQPL.
Sign up for guided hikes and volunteer events on the WQPL at austintexas.gov/wildlandevents.
Find more information about the Maxwell Trail and other self-guided opportunities at Explore the Wildlands.
Learn more about the Water Quality Protection Lands at www.austintexas.gov/WQPLstory.