Wastewater services in Dripping Springs are slated to expand after a seven-year setback.

Dripping Springs City Council approved several items related to wastewater services at a Feb. 3 meeting.

The overview: Dripping Springs officials are expanding wastewater services, including the construction of a new facility. City Council took steps towards this project with the selection of three firms at the Feb. 3 meeting.

Digging deeper: The city’s current wastewater facility is operating at full capacity, meaning the city is unable to accept new service connections. The proposed new facility would have the capacity to treat approximately 820,000 gallons per day.

What’s next?: The city administrator will negotiate contracts with each of the three companies before bringing them to City Council for approval.

City officials expect the first phase of the project to be completed in the summer of 2028.

Retail options are expanding for Dripping Springs families, students and residents as a 1,700 square-foot storefront for Drip Swag Shop makes headway. After two years of e-commerce, owner Katie Walker said the store is currently under construction.

The details: Drip Swag Shop sells apparel and accessories for all things Dripping Springs, from school to Christmas merch. Walker says the store will expand offerings to include personalized gifts to the community.

• 11601 Hwy. 290, Ste. 106, Austin

Check out some of the top trending news stories from the Austin area, Feb. 2-5.

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2. Ridge Crossing retail project now under construction

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Integral Care is preparing to launch its third mobile van to bring behavioral health care services closer to Travis County residents.

The update: At a Feb. 3 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved $337,497 in funding to cover startup costs for the new van, which is expected to begin operating in June.

The big picture: Integral Care’s mobile behavioral health vans allow the Travis County mental health authority to improve access to care for people who may be least likely to reach traditional clinics, an Integral Care spokesperson said. This includes people experiencing homelessness or those recently discharged from jail, shelters, hospitals or crisis facilities.

Patients may be referred to the program through first responders, emergency departments, Travis County jail personnel and The Sobering Center—a safe space for people to recover from intoxication instead of going to jail or the emergency room. Additionally, the new mobile clinic will help Integral Care respond to disaster situations.

Staff working in the van will go directly to people who cannot access Integral Care clinics.