ATX-SWA: Impact 10/9/2025

Some residents in Dripping Springs and surrounding communities are pushing back on a new wastewater plant put forward by Allied Development, as part of the proposed residential development Madelynn Estates.

On Oct. 6, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality held a public meeting at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center in order to address permitting for the proposed wastewater treatment facility near Woods Loop and RR 150.

The overview: The proposed wastewater facility, or sewage plant, would be constructed on the proposed Madelynn Estates subdivision, 1,500 feet away from Onion Creek and 2,500 feet from the Dripping Springs Wastewater Plant.

The details: Proposed by land development company Allied Development, the plant’s permitting has been protested by residents and members of the Save Barton Creek Association and Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance due to concerns surrounding the discharge of treated wastewater into Onion Creek and potential environmental and public health impacts related to that discharge.

Campaign activity for and against Austin's tax rate increase ballot measure is ramping up ahead of the Nov. 5 election, drawing tens of thousands of dollars in donations for and against Proposition Q.

Several area nonprofits, labor groups and City Council members were among the top donors to political committees favoring the tax rate proposition as of late September. Those organizations reported having more than $120,000 on hand just over a month before the election.

On the other side, the political group Save Austin Now reported the second-highest donation total of any PAC this fall with hundreds of individual contributions. Another political group led by contributions from a handful of residents and businesses also drew tens of thousands of dollars to oppose Proposition Q.

Betty Lash is now open in Dripping Springs.

The details: The team offers services such as lash extensions and lifts, facials, brow tinting, waxing, hair tinseling and more.

Local Azure Grillo owns Betty Lash. The new Betty Lash is the second location of the business.

The Central Texas Regional Mobile Authority is planning for a 290 Extension Project—improvements that would reduce congestion between Hwy. 130 and Hwy. 95 South. 

The details: The Mobility Authority is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on a schematic design and an environmental study with other partners, including: 

• Travis County 
• Bastrop County 
• City of Manor 
• City of Elgin 
• Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization