Population growth, decreased rainfall and drought are among the factors contributing to the water supply conditions in Central Texas. Hill Country Alliance, RainBees and several Central Texas groundwater conservation districts hosted a presentation April 28 in Dripping Springs to inform local homeowners and community members about rainwater harvesting as an alternative to wells.

The details: There are two main types of rainwater collection systems: dry and wet. In a dry system, tanks are closer to the house or structure, and pipes deposit water directly into the tanks.

In a wet system, tanks tend to be further from the structure. Pipes are installed underground and come above ground closer to the tank. When the rain stops, wet systems will still retain water in the pipes.

By the numbers: For every inch of rain, each square foot of roofing can collect .62 gallons of water. A system with a 2,400 square-foot roof can collect 1,488 gallons per inch of rainfall.

City Council is seeking a wide-ranging review of Austin's contracts and grants due to reported problems with oversight of that spending, which totals billions of dollars per year.

The details: A resolution from Mayor Kirk Watson passed May 21 calls for a comprehensive review of Austin's procurement and grant management with the aim of improving "oversight, transparency, accountability, consistency." The project could bring several changes to city procurement rules. Additionally, Watson proposed the creation of a public procurement dashboard to track how city contracts are performing.

A recent internal audit detailed issues with Austin's use of consultants, which now cost the city more than $100 million annually. With findings of lacking oversight and justification for those expenses, the May resolution asks to analyze the "use and purpose" of third-party consultants across all city departments.

Residents and commuters will now have access to a website that provides updates on projects in the Hays County Road Improvements Program.

A closer look: The Central Texas and Hays County region has experienced exponential growth, and county officials said improvements are needed to maintain safe and efficient traffic flow. Projects in this program focus on improving existing roadways and planning for future infrastructure needs, Transportation Director Aaron Jones said in a news release.

Quote of note: “We are working to provide as much information to our communities as possible,” said Jones in the news release. “The County is committed to keeping the public informed throughout this process and sharing project information as it becomes available.”

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro. 

Upcoming projects
MoPac South expansion
Project: The project features a number of express lanes along the 8.7-mile stretch from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane in Austin, alongside shared-use paths and pedestrian crossings, according to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.
Update: Public comment on the proposed project closed May 3. West Lake Hills and Rollingwood officials issued a conditional letter of support for the project in April.

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: $825 million
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: 2025-27
• Cost: $7 million
• Funding source: city of Leander certificates of obligation bonds

Dozens of federal, state and local primary campaigns will come to a close May 26 as Texas voters cast ballots in the Republican and Democratic runoff elections.

How it works: Texas held its primary elections in March, with some races advancing to an overtime round, known as a runoff, after no single candidate picked up more than half of the vote.

On May 26, voters may see statewide offices, state legislative seats, redrawn congressional districts, the State Board of Education and county-level positions on their ballots. The winner of each runoff race will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

At the polls: Polling places across Texas will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. May 26. Voters in the following counties in Community Impact’s coverage areas can vote at any polling location within their county of residence: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Collin, Comal, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson.

Registered voters in other counties are required to visit a polling place specific to their voting precinct.