Texas Water Development Board announces the 2024 Texas Rain Catcher Award recipients
For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129
AUSTIN – (October 17, 2024) – 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 award recipients have displayed excellence in rainwater harvesting in Texas in five categories: agricultural, commercial, educational, governmental, and residential. Congratulations to the 2024 Texas Rain Catcher Award winners:
- Concho Valley Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in San Angelo, Texas, for its demonstration garden
- Sonora Bank in New Braunfels, Texas, for its rainwater harvesting system
- The Campsite at Shield Ranch in Austin, Texas, for its rainwater harvesting system
- The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in Livingston, Texas, for its rainwater harvesting system
- The Gabbay Residence in Lockhart, Texas, for its rainwater harvesting system
The TWDB also recognizes Hari Krishna as an honorary recipient of the Rain Catcher Award for his contributions and commitment to rainwater harvesting. While a staff member at the TWDB, Krishna initiated the development of the original Texas Rain Catcher Award in 2007 and was instrumental in promoting and maintaining rainwater harvesting as an initiative at the agency.
Rainwater harvesting is a valuable conservation strategy and drought-resilience tool that can reduce the demand on local public water supplies by providing an alternative water source for a variety of beneficial uses. In the 2022 State Water Plan, three regional water planning groups (Regions E, J, and K) recommended rainwater harvesting as a water management strategy.
Since the program began in 2007, the TWDB has recognized numerous entities and individuals across the state. For more information on the Texas Rain Catcher Award, please visit the TWDB's website.
The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood mitigation, and agricultural water conservation projects.