The City of Boerne served as a sponsor of the Hill Country Alliance’s One Water in the Texas Hill Country Conference last week, a regional gathering that brought together nearly 75 community leaders, water experts, planners, and policymakers to discuss sustainable water management and the unique challenges facing the region’s water resources amid ongoing drought and population increases.
The event, held in Wimberley, focused on advancing the “One Water” approach – a framework that treats all water sources, from drinking water to stormwater and recycled water, as interconnected and equally valuable.
“Our involvement in One Water isn’t symbolic – it’s strategic,” Engineering and Mobility Director Jeff Carroll said. “Every decision we make today about stormwater, development, or infrastructure ultimately affects our ability to sustain Boerne for generations.”
The conference also highlighted several upcoming building projects in Boerne that will be required to include HVAC condensate collection systems, an initiative intended to conserve water by capturing and reusing what would otherwise be lost through mechanical systems.
“We’re constantly evaluating how to build smarter, not just bigger,” Carroll said. “The move toward widespread condensate collection is just one example of how Boerne is taking practical, forward-thinking steps that make a meaningful difference in our water future.”
City Councilman Joseph Macaluso delivered opening remarks at the conference, emphasizing the importance of regional partnerships and shared responsibility. Later in the afternoon, Carroll presented on the history and evolution of Boerne’s stormwater and water quality ordinances, offering an overview of how the City’s approach has matured alongside community growth.
“Water doesn’t follow city limits, and neither should our planning,” Carroll said. “Working alongside our Hill Country neighbors is essential to ensuring a sustainable and secure water future for everyone who calls this region home.”
