Tag: txh2o

By Leslie Lee One way the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) contributes to water security in Texas is by monitoring water quality in rivers and streams that are subjects of watershed restoration processes. Healthy watersheds help keep regional water supplies clean and plentiful. When a watershed restoration project begins, TWRI professionals typically conduct water quality…

As water suppliers have built water reuse and inland desalination plants throughout Texas, new treatment infrastructure was needed to continue providing enough high quality water. These plants cannot function without such rigorously tested water filters; many water plants use about 100 of them simultaneously throughout their facilities and daily processes. According to state water planners,…

“There are so many pharmaceuticals out there and so little money,” she said, “so prioritizing which compounds to look at is a huge deal. To start doing toxicity testing for each of those is too expensive.” One way to prioritize, Cizmas said, is to examine quantitative structure activity relationships, which is identifying a problematic compound,…

“When you urbanize an area, instead of rainwater infiltrating, runoff goes into stormwater pipes and that results in a lot of damage downstream,” he said. Urban watersheds also cause increased flooding and reduced groundwater recharge. However, Jaber said LID practices use natural elements to minimize negative environmental impacts of urbanization. “One of the benefits of…

“Growing up along the coast, I was always interested in the environment,” Benavides said. “I grew up on a resaca and frequently went fishing as a young kid — I was always outdoors.” A mentor told teenage Benavides about the water and environmental opportunities that a civil engineering degree could open up to him, and…

By Claire Corley Composed of the North and South Llano rivers, the Upper Llano River is known as a Hill Country treasure. Its near-pristine flows provide a healthy ecosystem supporting a variety of aquatic communities and numerous recreational opportunities. To sustain the river’s pristine condition, local stakeholders partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation…

The Texas Water Resources Institute’s (TWRI) water team continues to increase its expertise and capabilities, adding three members within the last year: Ed Rhodes, Kirby Young and Nathan Glavy. Rhodes joined TWRI as a research associate in 2017. In this position, he provides leadership for the institute’s various water quality monitoring projects and assists with quality assurance activities associated…

In 2011 Texas experienced the driest year in its recorded history. 2015 was the wettest year on record with May 2015 the wettest month ever. Heading into fall 2016, experts were predicting a warm, dry winter. Welcome to Texas weather. This extreme variation in Texas weather is common, experts said. Dr. Nelun Fernando, hydrologist for…