Water Quality Protection Lands

Austinites love Barton Springs as much as they love tacos. Much of the water that feeds Barton Springs enters the ground outside of the city limits. To ensure the long-term protection of the Springs, Austinites have voted to purchase land to protect Barton Springs, creating the Water Quality Protection Lands. For more than twenty years, voters have approved more than $150 million in funding to conserve sensitive lands over the Edwards Aquifer. Water Quality Protection Lands protect the source of water that feeds Austin’s crown jewel.

These permanently protected lands comprise 25% of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and more than 28,000 total acres of land. Austin Water staff and volunteers actively manage these conservation lands with the goal of maintaining the delicate environmental balance of the Edwards aquifer and Barton Springs.

To sign up to go on guided hikes, join us for a star party, and volunteer on the Balcones Canyonland Preserve & Water Quality Protection Land, please visit  austintexas.gov/wildlandevents