In Wimberley, a fight bubbles up over sewage and a beloved swimming hole

[corbe]

In Wimberley, a fight bubbles up over sewage and a beloved swimming hole

As the city in Hays County decides how to move forward with a wastewater treatment plant, residents worry that outsourcing services to a corporation could put the Blue Hole swimming area at risk.

by Natalia Alamdari Aug. 2, 2018 1 hour ago



Visitors enjoy spring-fed Cypress Creek at Blue Hole Regional Park on July 19, 2018.  Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

In November 2012, more than 100,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Plum Creek near Kyle. The partially treated sewage was managed by a private company, Aqua Texas.

Now, about 18 miles away in Wimberley, a newly elected city council is considering hiring the same company to manage the city’s sewage system, halting the construction of a city-owned wastewater treatment plant.

The move has sparked uproar from residents who say they don’t trust the company. To some, Aqua Texas would open the possibility of expanded development, corporate greed and — most importantly — environmental harm to the beloved Blue Hole, a popular swimming hole and tourist attraction in the area.

After watching their neighbors in Kyle, Wimberley residents now worry a similar environmental accident could happen to the haven that drives the area’s tourism-based economy.

<..snip..>

https://www.texastribune.org/2018/08/02/wimberley-aqua-texas-sewage-environmental-fight/

[Sanguine]

Blue Hole is a special place.  I sure hope they don't screw that up.

[Idiot]

In Wimberley, a fight bubbles up over sewage and a beloved swimming hole

As the city in Hays County decides how to move forward with a wastewater treatment plant, residents worry that outsourcing services to a corporation could put the Blue Hole swimming area at risk.

by Natalia Alamdari Aug. 2, 2018 1 hour ago



Visitors enjoy spring-fed Cypress Creek at Blue Hole Regional Park on July 19, 2018.  Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

In November 2012, more than 100,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Plum Creek near Kyle. The partially treated sewage was managed by a private company, Aqua Texas.

Now, about 18 miles away in Wimberley, a newly elected city council is considering hiring the same company to manage the city’s sewage system, halting the construction of a city-owned wastewater treatment plant.

The move has sparked uproar from residents who say they don’t trust the company. To some, Aqua Texas would open the possibility of expanded development, corporate greed and — most importantly — environmental harm to the beloved Blue Hole, a popular swimming hole and tourist attraction in the area.

After watching their neighbors in Kyle, Wimberley residents now worry a similar environmental accident could happen to the haven that drives the area’s tourism-based economy.

<..snip..>

https://www.texastribune.org/2018/08/02/wimberley-aqua-texas-sewage-environmental-fight/

Pretty area....  Too bad the Austinites are moving in and ruining the place.