Click here to find nonprofit organizations working to provide solutions for these issues.
Austin's air quality is currently below some federal EPA standards. The air in Austin regularly exceeds federal standards for ground-level ozone. www.ci.austin.tx.us/airquality/faq.htm
Austin and the Central Texas region are in danger of being designated as "nonattainment" regions because the air in the region is not in line with the EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards. www.ci.austin.tx.us/airquality/faq2.htm
The Edwards Aquifer provides drinking water for over 1.5 million people. The Barton Springs segment of the Aquifer provides drinking water for around 50,000 people in southern Travis and northern Hays Counties. www.sosalliance.org
Surface water from the Colorado River is by far the largest source of water supply for Travis County residents. The Colorado River system supports a vast array of users by providing a reliable water source for municipal needs, industrial manufacturing, agricultural irrigation and livestock, aquatic recreation, and nature sanctuaries that draw thousands of eco-tourists to Texas each year. http://www.coloradoriver.org/about.php
Texans spend over $1 billion annually for solid waste disposal services for over 22 million tons of garbage. In addition, too few products are designed for recycling. Requiring manufacturers to take back their products at the end of their useful lives will provide a bottom line incentive to reduce toxins and design products for recycling. The Texas Campaign for the Environment is a grassroots effort to educate the public about the economic and environmental benefits of recycling. http://www.texasenvironment.org/campaigns_overview.cfm
There are nine areas of Texas that do not meet or barely meet Federal Clean Air Quality Standards. They are designated as non attainment (not meeting Federal Clean Air Quality Standards), near non-attainment (barely meeting standards) or Early Action Compact (EAC) (not meeting standards and have pledged to meet standards earlier than required by the Clean Air Act). The Drive Clean Across Texas Campaign s the nation’s first statewide public outreach and education campaign designed to raise awareness and change attitudes about air pollution. http://www.drivecleanacrosstexas.org/