City of Pflugerville Among TWDB's Texas Rain Catcher Award Winners

For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129

Austin – (May, 1, 2014) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) announced today that that the City of Pflugerville is among the winners of its annual Texas Rain Catcher Award, a rainwater harvesting competition and recognition program. The award recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas, promotes the technology, and educates the public.

In an effort to promote water conservation, the City of Pflugerville Public Works Department hosted its first Rain Barrel Sale in 2013 allowing residents to purchase affordable rain barrels for rainwater harvesting. The department sold 393 barrels to the local community. The city advertised the program by placing brochures around town, in city offices and newsletters, and by making a presentation at a city council meeting prior to the event. The city has received very positive feedback on the program.

Also, during an expansion of the city library in 2013, the city installed a 4,900-gallon galvanized steel tank to collect water from the roof of the library for a fountain in the garden. The aim was to educate the residents on water conservation and to get them interested in and to consider rainwater harvesting for their own homes.

"TWDB applauds the City of Pflugerville for taking the initiative to promote rainwater harvesting and other water conservation efforts," said TWBD Chairman Carlos Rubinstein. "We encourage other cities to take a look at what Pflugerville has accomplished and follow their example. It is important to us to recognize innovative ideas and solutions."

The Texas Rain Catcher Award competition begin in 2007 and is open to all individuals, companies, organizations, municipalities, and other local and state governmental entities in Texas. It recognizes entities and individuals both within the rainwater harvesting community and beyond and establishes their reputations as those dedicated to water conservation in Texas. The City of Pflugerville is one of four award recipients being recognized statewide by TWDB.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, and preparing the state water plan for the development of the state's water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.