Travis County has announced the broadcast schedule for a series of storm water educational videos on its Cable Channel 17 throughout January 2026. The initiative is part of the county’s Storm Water Management Program, which is required by the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality.
The video programming aims to inform residents about flood preparedness, water conservation, pollution prevention, and local aquifer systems. The broadcasts are produced in partnership with organizations such as the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Weather Channel, and other regional partners.
Featured videos include “The Water Never Gets This High,” which examines historical floods along the Colorado River; “Preparing for Severe Weather” and “Three Ways to Prepare for a Flood,” both offering practical advice for residents; and “Ready For the Next Flood,” focusing on LCRA’s flood management operations. Other topics covered are water distribution in Central Texas and connections between water quality and community well-being.
Additional programming will address innovative stormwater runoff practices, non-point source pollution affecting Lake Travis, and efforts by cities like Lago Vista, Marble Falls, Hidden Falls Golf Club, and Cedar Park to conserve water through cost-share programs provided by LCRA. These segments highlight projects that have saved millions of gallons of water annually.
“Austin Underground,” presented by The City of Austin, provides an overview of threats to Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer from pollution, hydrogeology studies using dye tracing methods, habitat considerations for endangered salamander species, and geological processes affecting groundwater recharge.
Another video titled “IDDE, A Grate Concern,” available in English and Spanish from Excal Visual, educates viewers about illicit discharge issues within communities. Conservation Coordinator Brett Briant presents twelve WaterSmart segments covering topics from irrigation system maintenance to municipal strategies that reduce potable water use in public spaces.
“Majestic Plastic Bag,” narrated by Jeremy Irons and produced by Heal the Bay, uses a mockumentary style to follow a plastic bag’s journey from a parking lot to the Pacific Ocean garbage patch.
A final feature called “Texas, The State of Springs,” presented by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, explores declining spring flows across Texas and measures that can be taken to preserve these natural resources.
Broadcast dates run throughout January at various times each day. Specific scheduling details are available on Travis County’s website home page as well as its Storm Water Home Page.
Travis County serves approximately 1.2 million residents across areas including Austin and parts of the Texas Hill Country. It manages 26 parks offering recreational activities such as hiking and boating while supporting economic growth through business development initiatives. Governance is overseen by a Commissioners Court composed of a county judge and four precinct commissioners. The county upholds principles like equity, fairness, financial sustainability, operational excellence, innovation in service delivery across its jurisdiction according to information published on its official website.
