The city of Austin has long been recognized for its eco-friendly initiatives, so it should come as no surprise that the city is now proposing a wastewater project with portions that have been labeled as “green” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to a report in the Austin Business Journal, the Texas Water Development Board has approved a loan in the amount of $31.8 million to be used by the city for wastewater system improvements. The loan, which will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will help finance the improvements that need to be made to the water and wastewater infrastructure.
To improve the water and wastewater infrastructure, the city is proposing two major projects. The first involves constructing aeration facilities, while the other involves upgrading the treatment equipment that is currently located at the Hornsby Bend Bio-Solids Management facility.
Currently, the Hornsby Bend Bio-Solids Management facility is used to treat and to covert the wastewater sludge that is created by the city’s wastewater treatment plants. This sludge is converted into a Dillo-Dirt, which is a reusable compost that was first developed by the City of Austin in 1989. Dillo-Dirt meets all EPA and Texas requirements for enjoying unrestricted use, which means it can be used on all types of gardens – including vegetable gardens. Not only does Dillo-Dirt add valuable microbes to the soil, it also successfully recycles wastewater sludge as well as yard trimmings and other waste.
Of course, the pending infrastructure upgrades to be made to the water and wastewater treatment facilities aren’t the only eco-friendly activities taking place in Austin. In fact, Austin Community College has also recently announced that it has joined with other agencies in the area in order to start the Austin Conservation Corp.
“The Austin Conservation Corps gives the city a very inexpensive way to clean and repair the trails along Lady Bird Lake and to improve other parks. It also gives young people a positive way to earn money and a great way to advance their education,” said former Texas Gov. Mark White, who is a member of the board of the Austin Conservation Corp’s Center for Public Policy and Political Studies, in an Austin Business Journal article.
Currently, the Austin Conservation Corp is slated to have nine members who have committed to a 12-week stint. Next spring, however, the group plans to expand to 25 members. With major organizations such as Austin Energy, Goodwill Industries Inc. and The Austin Parks and Recreation Department all providing support to the organization, it is likely that it will be around for quite some time.