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The Bethune family receives the Texas Water Development Board's Texas Rain Catcher Award

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

AUSTIN – (March 29, 2017)  The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) announced today the recipients of its annual Texas Rain Catcher Award, a rainwater harvesting competition and recognition program. The Bethune family was recognized in the residential category.

The TWDB's Texas Rain Catcher Award recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas, promotes rainwater harvesting technology, and educates the public on this important water-saving practice.

The Bethune family developed a 60,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system for in-home use, livestock, and riding arena irrigation on their property. The family contracted with Harvest Rain of Dripping Springs to design and build a water supply solution to replace their aging and inconsistent well.

The riding arena provides a 14,000-square-foot catchment surface that fills two 30,000-gallon water tanks. Pressurized lines separate the rainwater into both potable and non-potable water, allowing for multiple uses. The family estimates that on an average year's rainfall, the arena will be able to harvest between 150,000 and 170,000 gallons of water.

The Texas Rain Catcher Award competition began 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 in the rainwater harvesting community and beyond and establishes award recipients as dedicated water conservation leaders in Texas. The Bethune family is one of five awardees being recognized statewide this year.

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.