On November 13, leaders and staff from 15 Central Texas cities convened in Boerne for the annual “One Water in the Hill Country” meeting, co-hosted by the Hill Country Alliance (HCA) and the City of Boerne. The event provided a platform to share strategies for managing water resources during ongoing drought and population growth.
Cities represented included Austin, Kerrville, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Boerne, San Marcos, and others. The “One Water” approach focuses on integrated management of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater to maximize benefits for communities, economies, and ecosystems.
Municipalities highlighted local projects demonstrating these principles. Boerne shared its investment in rainwater harvesting and AC condensate collection, and Buda and Austin presented on advancing water reuse and sustainable development. “When a developer comes to Boerne, it helps to show that we are also making these investments as a city,” said Boerne City Manager Ben Thatcher.
Participants toured Headwaters at the Comal in New Braunfels, a 16-acre site at the Comal River’s headwaters showcasing water reuse, green stormwater infrastructure, and native landscaping. David Hubbard, Chief Administrative Officer of New Braunfels Utilities, emphasized the role of resilient, drought-tolerant landscaping in reducing water demand.
HCA Water Program Manager Marisa Bruno underscored the importance of collaboration with the private sector to expand these initiatives. Discussions also focused on improving public awareness of the benefits of sustainable water practices.
The success of the event and positive feedback suggest another regional conference will be planned for next year to continue addressing water challenges in the Hill Country.
