New Braunfels Utilities 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. New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) was recognized in the governmental 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.

NBU is recognized for several contributions aimed at raising awareness about rainwater harvesting and water conservation, including the construction of a rainwater harvesting system and educational outreach.

NBU developed a rainwater harvesting system that consists of five 15,000-gallon metal tanks, collectively storing up to 75,000 gallons of rainwater. The system is the sole water supply to the drip irrigation system at the NBU headquarters.

The drought tolerant landscaping at NBU provides an educational opportunity for customers, students, and other visitors to learn about water conservation and local varieties of drought tolerant plants. Educational signage is posted throughout the landscape, which is certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. In addition, NBU staff leads educational programs for civic groups, local businesses, and schools where attendees learn rainwater harvesting fundamentals.

NBU also incorporated rain barrels as a new category of its annual Drought Tolerant Landscape Calendar Contest to recognize commercial and residential customers' efforts.

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. NBU 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.