Widespread rain: How does it affect water quality in Lubbock?

By Melanie Escalante, The Hub@TTU   After another scorching West Texas summer, the intensity of the dry heat has been alleviated with widespread rainfall and cooler temperatures this fall, and as rainfall increases and wind strengthens, so has runoff. While not inherently an issue of concern, runoff poses a threat when it collects toxins, such […]

Not All Cactus and Gravel: Understanding our Relationship with Green Spaces

Lubbock’s dry, semi-arid climate can require homeowners and businesses to keep a close eye on their landscape practices to ensure their lawns stay healthy and beautiful – green.  However, experts say this can lead to overwatering and a mismanagement of the local natural resources. The Green Psyche Dr. Susan Tomlinson, an associate professor of the […]

Cape Town and The South Plains: A Tale of Water Shortage

The Crisis Heard Around the World The eyes of the world were turned to Cape Town, South Africa earlier this year as the city announced that they were running out of water. Dams and reservoirs were lower than ever before. A one-in-a-million, three-year drought was unprecedented. “Day 0,” as it was called, became the new […]

A Blooming Impact

By Samantha Brookes Most of the time there are fully bloomed, colorful flowers on the Texas Tech University campus, and almost never dead ones. This is ensured by the maintenance crews who plant the flowers already blooming and then replace them when they start to fade. The changing of the flowers on campus, though not as […]

Watersliding Down University Avenue

By Kaylon Jackson It is no secret that rain in Lubbock means flooded streets. Many students have wondered: What is the reason? And is anything being done to fix this problem? Ken Rainwater, a civil engineering professor at Texas Tech, said one of the main reasons for the water buildup is because Lubbock is in a flat […]

Update: Water Damage in COMC

A pipe burst Saturday on the third floor of the Texas Tech University College of Media & Communication building, causing water damage to several classrooms, offices and labs on the third floor and below. Texas Tech maintenance staff members are currently working to dry the affected rooms with portable fans. Classes that meet in the rooms with […]

Gov. Abbott Begins Term at Texas Capitol

“Anytime you’re governor for 14 years,” John Frullo said, “you’re going to have a lasting impression on the state.” Frullo, R-Texas, state representative for the 84th district, said the atmosphere at 1100 Congress Avenue has been different since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took over the Capitol building. Frullo said the 84th legislative session is shaping […]

Lubbock Water Inefficiently Pulled From Many Sources

“We have been in a historic drought for the past few years, but even before that, we’ve been using water from the Ogallala Aquifer at a rate which is not sustainable.” “Even before that we’ve been using water from the Ogallala Aquifer at a rate which is not sustainable.” Julie Hodges, the Helen Devitt Jones […]

Texans to Vote on State Water Funding

  During the most recent legislative session, state lawmakers passed three pieces of legislation that collectively propose an amendment to the Texas Constitution that will provide funding for future water-supply projects in Texas. The amendment will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot as Proposition 6. The constitutional amendment, according to the legislation, creates the State […]

Lubbock Preps For Future of Water Supply

In an attempt to prepare for the future, the city of Lubbock passed a plan addressing the growing demand of water. Lubbock’s city secretary, Becky Garza, said the city council passed the 2013 Strategic Water Supply Plan with a vote of 7-0 in favor during a February 28 meeting. This is not the first plan […]