Facts & Fables about Rainwater Quality

Water Wise Conference presents “Facts & Fables about Rainwater Quality” Water Wise Conferences, co-hosted by Texas Water Savers Co. and Innovative Water Solutions will bring you the facts about rainwater quality Saturday, August 18 at McKinney Roughs Nature Park in Cedar Creek, Texas.

“Facts & Fables about Rainwater Quality” will highlight Environmental Laboratory Services’ rainwater research and analysis during the past year, offering answers to some common questions like, “Do bird droppings foul my cistern water? Does my cistern water quality degrade over time as it sits unused? How is my rainwater different from my groundwater?”

Following the ELS presentation, Texas Water Savers Co. will explain ultraviolet and ozone disinfection for rainwater and how to use the lab’s analysis to determine which method is best in a particular situation. Susan Benavidez, ELS staff, will demonstrate and explain how to take water samples properly and invite attendees to “come up and practice.”

The morning program will conclude with a short description of water testing meters and an opportunity to practice using these tools. Bring a sample of your rainwater and we’ll test its pH, TDS, hardness and conductivity after noon.

Rainwater Program (9 a.m. – noon):

• Tess Abbott – Overview of ELS
• Ariana Dean – Rainwater Research Results
• Susan Benavidez – Sampling for Rainwater Analysis
• Scott Shaffer – Ultraviolet and Ozone Disinfection

Children’s Art Program (9 a.m. – noon):

• Pat Wymore – local artist conducts children's "Art in Nature” workshop (12 student max.)

Rainwater Testing (noon – 1 p.m.)

Who should attend:

• Adults (Rainwater Program)
• Children (Art Workshop)
• Business owners
• Homeowners
• City, County, State government staff
• Municipal water departments
• Rainwater industry professionals
• Anyone interested in water quality

McKinney Roughs Nature Park (look for the rock entrance marker) is located on the north side of State Hwy. 71, 8.4 miles west of Bastrop and 13.2 miles east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Tickets for the event are $10 per adult for the rainwater program and $5 per child for the children’s art workshop. All ticket revenue is used to off-set the cost of the event.

Exhibitors will include Innovative Water Solutions, Texas Metal Cisterns, The Rainharvest School and Rainfilters.com.

Program seating is limited to 30 adults so we encourage you early registration.

To register, call 979-250-1239 (or 979-247-3408) or visit our website at www.texaswatersavers.com and click on “Register for Conference.”

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. All attendees have full use of the park following the event including the opportunity to explore the 18 miles of hiking trails at no additional cost (normally $4 per person). Bring a sack lunch and enjoy the program and the park!