(Community Matters) Don’t think I’ve considered water capturing technology as part of the answer to meeting Austin’s future water needs. Reading the Culture Map article on Imagine Austin, I noticed my friend Robin Rather’s comment
This past summer, one of the dryest and hottest in Austin modern history, led to water supply issues that reminded everyone here how fragile the area’s eco-system truly is. Without a secure supply of water, no city of the future is possible
I was confused because I thought Robin opposed new water capacity, assuming she only supported conservation – I made this assumption based on her opposition to WPT4. So, I wrote her.
Her response:
You are not mistaken. I was and am opposed to WTP4 because I think it is the wrong technology (1950s) in the wrong spot (over critical habitat
and uphill) for the wrong reasons (corrupt decision making.) I am FOR a more decentralized water treatment approach that relies much more on
water conservation and localized water capture and filtration, similar to what cities like Portland have done but taking the concepts even farther.The idea that if we are going to have water we have to have WPT4 is ludicrous — a strong argument can be made the other way. I wish Kent Butler had not passed away when he did as he had devised the beginings of a good plan that would have been much less costly and much more effective for Austin. I believe he felt the right location was over near
Decker Lake.I’m surprised that you have bought the notion that ONLY WPT4 will get us where we need to go. It was in reality a step backward if smart people like you bought the line that that’s all we need to do for our water strategy. Far from it…..!
We’ve agreed Steven and I will host a forum (probably a dinner party) to discuss this further. I hadn’t considered alternative technologies for capturing drinking water.
Community Matters 