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Texas Water Newsroom

TWDB announces 2013 Texas Rain Catcher Awards Winners

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

Austin – (May 1, 2014) – Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), announced the winners of the 2013 Texas Rain Catcher Awards.-- The award recipients have displayed excellence in rainwater harvesting in Texas in four categories:- educational, government, residential and non-profit/research.-

The 2013 Rain Catcher Awards winners are:

  • Bandera High School for the development of an irrigation system that captures water run off to irrigate their baseball field. The project was developed by students in the Building Trades, Drafting, and Agricultural Mechanics class between 2011 - 2013.
  • The City of Pflugerville for their efforts to promote water conservation.-In 2013, the city hosted its first Rain Barrel Sale allowing residents to purchase affordable rain barrels for rainwater harvesting.
  • San Saba Senior Center for the creation of an expansive garden with a rain harvesting barrel as the centerpiece. The rain harvesting barrel captures water from the west side of the Senior Center and provides the water to the garden.
  • Texas A-and-M AgriLife Research and Extension Center for the development of the first retrofitted WaterSense- labeled home in Texas. This is the first home to receive certification as a renovation project and the first WaterSense- home to have a rainwater harvesting system.

"Rainwater harvesting is an important tool towards the goal of conservation in Texas. We need individuals, cities, agriculture and industry all conserving for the long term future of Texas. We applaud this year's recipients for their dedication to promoting conservation through the exploration of creative ideas," said TWDB Chairman Carlos Rubinstein.

"I'm honored to take part in the recognition of individuals who have made invaluable contributions to rainwater harvesting in Texas.-The accolades given today are the product of hard work and innovative thinking, something we should all strive for when considering ways to conserve water," said TWDB Board member Bech Bruun.

"As Texas continues to face serious drought conditions, it is refreshing to know there are individuals of all ages searching for answers to the state's water shortage. There isn't one easy solution, but through the development of new technologies and promotion of conservation, Texas is one step closer to addressing our water needs. I commend the winners for their contributions to answering Texas' call for water conservation," said TWDB Board member Kathleen Jackson.

The Texas Rain Catcher Awards are an annual award that began in 2007.- Since then, TWDB has recognized 22 entities and one individual.- For more information on the Texas Rain Catcher Awards, please visit TWDB's website.-

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.