AUSTIN, Texas — As part of Boomtown 2040 we are looking into growth and the impact it has on the places we call home. One of the biggest concerns about our area’s growth is water.
The KVUE Defenders discovered a growing number of cities are dumping treated wastewater into the very places we enjoy and get our drinking water.
We had a difficult time finding a city or suburb willing to talk about it until we mapped out all the wastewater treatment plants in the KVUE viewing area that have permits which allow them to dump treated wastewater into our rivers, creeks and streams. There are thousands more across the state.
A simpler life, and the Blanco River, attracted Joe Theriot and his wife here five years ago.
“You can swim or fish or sit and chill all day long,” Theriot said. “We have 20 RV sites and 10 cabins and about a quarter mile river frontage.”
But where the water flows worry follows. Development is pushing wastewater treatment plants all across Central Texas to the limit. Leaving communities to search for ways to dispose of treated wastewater.
Read more from Terri Gruca with KVUE here.
Defenders: Thousands of Texas wastewater treatment plants dump into waterways
