Rain Capture Pilot Program Test Study: Austin, Texas
Why study
Austin, Texas?
The city of Austin is interested in implementing a small-scale, distributed stormwater control measure that includes installing rain gardens and rainwater cisterns. The city has launched a pilot project implementing rain gardens and cisterns, two types of green infrastructure, within the Waller Neighborhood in north Austin, Texas.
The goal of the project is to investigate the potential benefits of high adoption rates of green infrastructure within the Upper Waller Watershed area. Potential benefits include better stormwater flow patterns, fewer erosive events, cooling benefits, reduced flooding, and potential biodiversity improvements. In addition to these benefits, the project is also expected to attain urban heat island improvements, reductions in energy demand, and additional benefits that can be quantified and equitably distributed to disadvantaged communities. Ultimately, our GP team aims to quantify these benefits.
What are the benefits of green infrastructure?
The cistern project affects flooding risk, but also creates benefits from educational opportunities to increased habitat.
Urban Heat in the
Waller-3 Watershed
A keystone benefit to Waller 3 is the urban heat island (UHI). The RCPP project could improve UHI by increasing irrigation, soil moisture, and tree cover. Individual homes incorporating trees to increase the shading could see multiple degree reductions of their property’s UHI and accordingly lower energy bills. Wide adoption of RCPP could help reduce or mitigate UHI throughout the neighborhood, leading to improved air and water quality, decreased energy loads, increased productivity, and improved vulnerable population resilience.
