Bastrop officials are exploring a potential $5 million deal with VVater that could bring chemical-free, electricity-based water treatment technology to help the city treat and reuse water as it grows.

What’s happening: City Council on March 24 directed staff to begin contract negotiations with the Austin-based company, whose Farady Reactor uses chemical-free, electricity-based technology.

Why it matters: Officials said the potential deal could help Bastrop keep up with demand and improve how the city treats and reuses water.

“This water can be used for industry or sold to neighboring jurisdictions in need of water,” City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said. “During times of extreme need, it can also be used as a drinking water source; however, that is not the city’s intended use at this time.”

What’s next: Per the March 24 resolution, city staff must return to council with a detailed cost analysis, bond financing options and any proposed final agreements; however, officials were unable to provide an estimate on when that may happen.

Bastrop resident Camilo Chavez is bringing Texas flair, Mexican heritage and hometown pride to Fox’s “MasterChef: Global Gauntlet.”

The details: Chavez advanced during the April 15 episode with an achiote-rubbed quail dish. He said his daughter, Mia, encouraged him to audition.

“She pretty much had to corner me and get me to fill out the initial application, which took us a full day,” he said.

After four months of interviews, videos and cooking, Chavez said he learned he made the show while frying 30 turkeys with family and friends for a community Thanksgiving dinner.

Community response: Chavez said support from the Bastrop community has been great, with weekly watch parties at Old Town Restaurant & Bar, 931 Main St., Bastrop.

“Both friends and strangers have been genuinely excited for me,” he said.

Before you go: As previously reported, Bastrop has seen several residents on televised food competitions in recent years, including Cutie Pie Wagon owner Mary Jayne Buckingham in 2020 and Bastrop County’s Conner Strackman in 2024.

Check out some of the top trending stories from the Austin area May 11-14. 

1. Jewel of Texas opens in Pflugerville

2. Construction underway on site of future Georgetown Texas Roadhouse

3. Frank & Margie's to open in Odd's Bar + Bistro space

4. Espadas de Brazil to bring Brazilian steakhouse to Bastrop's former Stem & Stone

5. Baylor Scott & White to expand Cedar Park clinic, bring more specialists

6. Austin moving to consolidate technology employees, services after weeks of pushback

After dozens of Texas primary races ended without a clear winner in March, candidates for those seats will face off in an overtime round, known as a runoff election, this month. Texans can vote early in the runoff election from May 18-22, with election day May 26.

How it works: State law requires that primary candidates receive more than 50% of the votes cast to advance to a general election.

In the May 26 runoff election, Republican and Democratic voters will choose who they want to represent them in statewide offices, legislative and Congressional seats, the State Board of Education and county-level positions. The winner of each runoff race will appear on the ballot in November.

On the ballot: The statewide Republican runoff races include:

• U.S. Senate: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton
• Texas attorney general: Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy
• Texas railroad commissioner: Jim Wright and Bo French

• Texas attorney general: Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski
• Texas lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Vélez