San Marcos is Going Gray

San Marcos passed a gray water ordinance today, allowing builders to install water reuse systems.  Gray water refers to water from sinks, washing machines, and showers that is safe for reuse in gardening, landscaping, and other outdoor uses (like foundation damage prevention).  Water from these household appliances is rerouted and redistributed in outdoor sprinkler systems rather than treated along with used toilet water.  I'm sure you can imagine the savings in water, energy, money, and infrastructure that result from gray water systems.

Other countries have used gray water systems extensively for years, but such systems have been slow to catch on in the US (probably from a misconception that the water is dirty).  Gray water does not include used toilet water, which is always sent to a treatment plant. 

I hope Austin follows San Marcos' footsteps in encouraging this great way to save aquifer water.  Incentives would be a great way to get developers and homeowners on board. 

Austin Adventure: Colorado River Canoeing via Webberville

I have a resolution to share more Austin & Texas adventures on my blog.  There are way too many great things to do in our city and state.  So here goes with Austin Adventure #1: Colorado River Canoeing via Webberville

Last weekend, one of my girlfriends had a birthday and we took a paddle down the Colorado.  No, we didn't go to Lady Bird Lake.  If you haven't already tried it this year, the fun is negated by the lines, traffic, and parking woes.  Plus, you're paddling in a circle.

Better idea:  head to Cook's Canoes in Webberville.

Webberville is a town of about 300 people about 10 miles east of Austin straight down MLK.  Cook's is run by a man named...Cook...but he was out of town last weekend.  So we met his cronies, who have enjoyed more than their share of  alcohol, pot, and sun over the past several decades.  Let's just say that they are more than half the adventure.  The flower bed outside their combo house/office is filled with hundreds of deflated soccer balls (assumed to be rescued from the river) and you can tell what they think of Austin from the sign below. 

The paddle is a rural one, with dozens of rope swings along the way.  There are several islands that are public land, so you can stop to have a picnic or even camp for a night or two.

Cook's charges $40 per canoe for the day.  This price includes a shuttle back to your car at the end of your trip.