Skip to main content
austintexas.gov

Action Navigation

  • 3-1-1
City of Austin - Website
Search

Main menu

Home
  • Resident

    Resident

    Open the Resident page
      Open the Resident page
    • Household
      • Getting a Home
      • Utilities
      • Trash and Recycling
      • Austin Senior Services Hub
      • Gardening and Home Improvements
      • Home Improvements
      • Pets and Adoption
      Open the Household page
    • Neighborhoods
      • Education
      • Libraries
      • Families
      • Neighborhood Issues
      Open the Neighborhoods page
    • Health
      • Animals
      • Public Health
      Open the Health page
    • Public Safety
      • Crime
      • Courts
      • Fire Safety
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Safety Employment
      Open the Public Safety page
    • Arts and Leisure
      • Arts, History and Culture
      • Outdoor, Nature and Wildlife
      • Events
      • City Venues and Facilities
      • Film and Music
      Open the Arts and Leisure page
    • Environmental
      • City Programs and Initiatives
      • Conservation and Recycling
      • Animals and Wildlife
      • Parks
      Open the Environmental page
    • Transportation
      • Car/Bus
      • Aviation
      • Bicycle/Pedestrian
      • Streets/Maps
      Open the Transportation page
    • City of Austin
      • About Austin
      • Voting and Elections
      • Get Involved
      • City Jobs
      • Records and Documents
      Open the City of Austin page
  • Business

    Business

    Open the Business page
      Open the Business page
    • Doing Business
      • Utilities
      • Doing Business with the City
      • Taxes
      • MBE/WBE Program
      • City Code
      • Food Establishments
      • Permits
      • Day Labor
      • Records and Documents
      Open the Doing Business page
    • Starting Out
      • Starting a Business
      • Relocating a Business
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Starting Out page
    • City Contracts
    • Small Business Centers
      • Small Business Development
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Small Business Centers page
    • Austin Center for Events
    • Nonprofits
      • Grants
      Open the Nonprofits page
    • Green Resources
  • Government

    Government

    Open the Government page
      Open the Government page
    • City Council
    • City Manager's Office
    • Boards and Commissions
    • City Council meeting information
    • City Hall
    • Jobs
    • Public Records
  • Departments

    Departments

    View full directory of departments

    Frequently Viewed Departments

      View full directory of departments
    • Visit
      • Airport
      • Visitors Bureau
      • Convention Center
    • Utilities
      • Austin Energy
      • Austin Water
      • Resource Recovery
    • Education & Recreation
      • Library
      • Parks and Recreation
    • Safety
      • Police
    • Other
      • Animal Services
      • Development Services
      • Economic Development
  • Connect

    Connect

      Open the Connect page
    • Share ideas online about improving Austin
    • Participate in the City
    • Sign up for email updates
    • City contact information
Townlake
  1. Departments
  2. Austin Watershed Protection
  3. Austin Watershed Protection Receives 2025 Texas Rain Catcher Award

Austin Watershed Protection Receives 2025 Texas Rain Catcher Award

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Programs
  • Education
  • Projects
  • Codes and Regulations
City of Austin Seal

City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Oct. 02, 2025
Contact: Austin Watershed Protection Media Line     512-974-1450    Email

Austin Watershed Protection receiving the Texas Rain Catcher Award

Austin, TX – Austin Watershed Protection’s Rain Catcher Pilot Program was honored with the 2025 Texas Rain Catcher Award in the governmental category by the Texas Water Development Board. This award recognizes the program’s success in installing over 300 green infrastructure features across 40 residential properties in North Central Austin. The award was presented at the Texas Water Development Board meeting on Oct. 2, 2025, followed by a reception for winners. 

“The Rain Catcher Pilot Program shows how small-scale, community-based solutions make an impact,” said Watershed Protection Manager, Jessica Wilson.   

The Rain Catcher Pilot Program ended in January 2025 with the installation of 117 large cisterns, 65 rain gardens, and 124 rainwater irrigated street trees across residential properties. These systems can collectively capture up to 185,000 gallons of rainwater per storm, helping reduce erosion and ponding while improving creek baseflow. The program focused on a 1.08-square-mile area in North Central Austin, located in the upper portion of the Waller Creek Watershed. This urban neighborhood, with 46% impervious cover, was developed before Austin’s watershed protection regulations were in place and lacked space for large-scale green stormwater infrastructure. This program brought meaningful water quality and stormwater benefits to an area that lacked such protections during its original development.  

“By working across City departments, partnering with a nonprofit and researchers, and engaging our community, we were able to turn rainwater from a problem into a resource to improve creek health, conserve water, cool our city, and build stronger neighborhoods along the way,” said Environmental Officer Liz Johnston. She added, “The actions that individuals take matter. Program participants now have a deeper understanding of their role in making Austin a more livable and resilient city.”  

In addition to improving watershed health, the Rain Catcher Pilot Program contributed to water conservation, alternative water sources during outages, increased tree canopy, enhanced wildlife habitat, and stronger neighborhood connections. It also encouraged residents to view rainwater as a resource, not runoff. The program was administered by Austin Watershed Protection and developed in collaboration with Urban Patchwork and community partners. Austin Water and Austin Development Services provided support and additional funding to reduce the cost for residents adding a rain garden or cistern to their properties. 

For more information on the City of Austin Rain Catcher Pilot Program, visit AustinTexas.gov/RainGardens. 

###

About Austin Watershed Protection  

Austin Watershed Protection protects lives, property, and the environment of our community by reducing the impact of flooding, erosion, and water pollution. Visit AustinTexas.gov/Watershed to learn more.  

 

About Texas Water Development Board 

The Texas Water Development Board is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood mitigation, and agricultural water conservation projects. 

Share

City of Austin

Footer Menu

  • Get information or assistance
  • Give feedback on our website
  • Site Map
  • Public Records
  • City Council Message Board
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Second Footer Menu

  • Visit Austin
  • City Directory
  • Jobs
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Notice
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS