Travis County has announced the broadcast schedule for a series of storm water and environmental education videos on its Cable Channel 17 during October 2025. These broadcasts are part of the county’s Storm Water Management Program, which is required by the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality.
The programming includes several video series produced by local and state agencies as well as nonprofit organizations. “Austin Underground,” presented by The City of Austin, takes viewers through the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer in four segments covering threats to the aquifer, hydrogeology, aquatic habitats such as those of the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, and geology features like sinkholes and caves. These segments will air together at multiple times between October 1st and October 6th.
Another feature, “IDDE, A Grate Concern,” produced by Excal Visual in both English and Spanish, addresses illicit discharge issues in communities. In addition, “WaterSmart Videos,” presented by Conservation Coordinator Brett Briant of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), covers topics such as using mulch to save water, testing irrigation systems, installing drip irrigation, drought-related watering restrictions for LCRA customers, and municipal efforts to conserve water in cities including Lago Vista, Marble Falls, Hidden Falls Golf Club, and Cedar Park.
The mockumentary “Majestic Plastic Bag,” narrated by Jeremy Irons and produced by Heal the Bay, follows a plastic bag’s journey from a grocery store parking lot to the Pacific Ocean’s garbage patch. These programs will be aired together between October 8th and October 13th.
“Texas, The State of Springs,” created by Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD), examines declining natural springs across Texas and discusses measures that can help protect these resources. It is scheduled for broadcast from October 15th through October 20th.
A group of special features from TPWD and LCRA will air together between October 22nd and October 27th. Topics include land trust movements to protect farmland (“In Land We Trust”), game wardens’ work against pollution (“Policing Pollution”), ecological significance of Clear Creek (“Last of the Bayous”), restoration efforts at Galveston Bay (“Restoring Galveston Bay”), practical clean water tips (“Clean Water: It Starts With You”), and an account about Adam Johnson’s vision for Buchanan Dam (“Blind Man’s Vision”).
Additionally, videos provided by The City of Austin (COA) and North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) focus on climate change actions in Austin; watershed protection; floodplain management; headwater stream sensitivity; redevelopment ordinances; erosion hazards; water quality education for children; explanations about stormwater cycles; spotting illicit discharges; and educational content such as “Freddy the Fish Teaches About Stormwater.” These will be broadcast together from October 29th through October 31st.
The programming aims to educate residents about local environmental challenges including non-point source pollution affecting aquifers [https://www.epa.gov/nps/what-nonpoint-source], efficient irrigation practices [https://www.lcra.org/water/watersmart/], community water conservation efforts [https://www.lcra.org/news/marble-falls-saves-water-with-purple-pipe-project/], illegal dumping prevention [https://www.tceq.texas.gov/compliance/field-investigations/idde.html], spring preservation [https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/nonpwdpubs/pwd_bk_w7000_0013a/], restoration projects at state parks [https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-bay], land trust initiatives [https://texaslandtrustcouncil.org/about-texas-land-trusts/], floodplain benefits [https://austintexas.gov/page/floodplains-and-benefits-they-provide], climate adaptation steps taken locally [https://www.austintexas.gov/climateaction] ,and best practices for keeping waterways clean.
