Save Texas Streams
Protecting Central Texas Waterways Since 1979
What We Do
Save Texas Streams (formerly Save Barton Creek Association) is a Central Texas nonprofit dedicated to protecting water quality, preserving natural spaces, and promoting sustainable development. For over forty five years, we’ve combined policy advocacy, public education, and community engagement to protect Barton Creek, the Edwards Aquifer, and local ecosystems from threats like overdevelopment and pollution.Â
As our work has grown, so has our mission—expanding beyond Barton Creek to protect streams and aquifers throughout Texas. Our new name reflects this broader vision and continued commitment to the waterways that define our state. Aquifers cross county lines and so do we. To learn more about how our organization has evolved and the people who made it possible, we invite you to click the button below to explore our rich history.
Our HistoryLatest Updates
Salado Creek Wastewater Permits
Twelve new wastewater permits could send up to 8 million gallons of effluent per day into one of Texas' pristine streams.
Pristine Streams
If passed, the Pristine Streams Proposal would protect Texas’s environmentally vulnerable rivers and creeks by stopping new wastewater discharge that fuels algae outbreaks.
TCEQ Permit Guide
Our permit guide shows you how to easily find, track, and comment on wastewater permit applications using the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s improved online tools.
Upcoming Events
Monthly Talk: How Fishing Funds Conservation
August 19, 2026 | 7 - 8 PM
Hold Out Brewing, 1208 West 4th Street, Austin, TX 78703
Join us for an evening with Jason Mercer, R3 Coordinator in Fishing and Boating for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Jason will uncover how Texas's riparian conservation is funded by the fishing industry. He'll also give a behind-the-scenes breakdown of his biological monitoring and data collection work.
Recent Newsletters
Don't let White Rocks crush the Golden-cheeked Warbler
The proposed amphitheater and luxury resort threatens the survival of the federally endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler.
Hays County Development Rules
 Hays County officials will hold public meetings on July 28th and 29th to explain the county's proposed new development regulations.
Hays Commons: Still a threat to the Edwards Aquifer
Milestone Community Builders is pursuing two options for the approvals it needs for its Hays Commons subdivision.
Support Our Work
Even the tiniest donation can make a massive difference for our beloved Central Texas streams and rivers. Your support helps us protect clean water, safeguard natural habitats, and educate the community about the importance of conservation. By giving today, you’re investing in a future where our children and grandchildren can swim in the cool, clear waters of Barton Springs, hike along healthy, flowing streams, and experience the wonderment of Texas's natural treasures. Together, we can keep our waterways—and our community—thriving for generations to come.
Donate Today
