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Editor's note: This story was written by University of Texas student Clara Carrabba.

The University of Texas is making a bold leap in water sustainability with its planned WaterHub facility, the largest of its kind at a university in the U.S.

Why it matters: The hub, which officials expect to be running by fall 2027, will be able to reclaim up to 1 million gallons of wastewater per day, easing the burden on Austin's water supply, which has been stressed from population growth and extreme weather conditions.

What they're saying: The WaterHub will decrease the university's dependence on city water supplies year-round and reduce campus water usage, according to Xavier Rivera Marzán, who led initial planning for the hub as the university's former executive director of utilities and energy management.

"Every gallon of water reclaimed by UT's WaterHub is another gallon of water made available for the Austin community," Rivera Marzán says.

Zoom in: The 9,600-square-foot water processing facility, which will be located in UT's engineering district, will serve as a laboratory for students and faculty to study water treatment and reuse technology.

It will also include a greenhouse space that's open to the public.

How it works: The WaterHub will intercept domestic wastewater from the newly installed diversion manhole at East 21st Street and San Jacinto Boulevard.

The water will enter a distribution system to be filtered and treated before it's used in cooling towers and boilers.

The reclaimed water, which is safe for non-drinking purposes, will help the university achieve a 40% reduction in campus portable water usage.

By the numbers: Existing WaterHubs across the U.S. reclaim between 300,000 to 600,000 gallons of water daily.

Beyond sustainability, the WaterHub will reduce water purchase costs and discharge fees over time, according to UT's utilities and energy management website.

What's next: The facility will be managed and maintained by H2O Innovation in a public-private partnership with the university.

H20 Innovation will construct and operate the facility, while UT will pay for the processed water at a fixed rate over the 30-year agreement.

Editor's note: The headline has been corrected to reflect that it's a water facility at the University of Texas (not University of Austin).

UT's WaterHub aims to ease strained water supply

The processing facility will also serve as a lab for students.

A rendering of UT's WaterHub, which will be completed by fall 2027. Photo: Rendering: Courtesy of the UT WaterHub® by H2O Innovation

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Clara Carrabba.The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/09/university-of-texas-austin-northeast-students-freshman" data-vars-content-id="1822c4f4-0590-46be-8e5d-1f09889f1a16" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s WaterHub aims to ease strained water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/09/university-of-texas-austin-northeast-students-freshman" target="_self">University of Texas</a> is making a bold leap in water sustainability with its planned WaterHub facility, the largest of its kind at a university in the U.S.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The hub" data-vars-click-url="https://utilities.utexas.edu/news-announcements/ut-waterhub-project" data-vars-content-id="1822c4f4-0590-46be-8e5d-1f09889f1a16" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s WaterHub aims to ease strained water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://utilities.utexas.edu/news-announcements/ut-waterhub-project" target="_blank">The hub</a>, which officials expect to be running by fall 2027, will be able to reclaim up to 1 million gallons of wastewater per day, easing the burden on Austin&#x27;s water supply, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which has been stressed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austintexas.gov/page/austin-water-drought-response#:~:text=Record%20high%20temperatures%20and%20low,%3F%E2%80%9D%20We%20share%20your%20concern." data-vars-content-id="1822c4f4-0590-46be-8e5d-1f09889f1a16" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s WaterHub aims to ease strained water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austintexas.gov/page/austin-water-drought-response#:~:text=Record%20high%20temperatures%20and%20low,%3F%E2%80%9D%20We%20share%20your%20concern." target="_blank">which has been stressed</a> from population growth and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme weather conditions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/17/drought-conditions-central-texas" data-vars-content-id="1822c4f4-0590-46be-8e5d-1f09889f1a16" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s WaterHub aims to ease strained water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/17/drought-conditions-central-texas" target="_self">extreme weather conditions</a>.

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Editor's note: This story was written by University of Texas student Chloe Moore for Axios Austin. 

Every spring, University of Texas students, faculty and the city's running community lace up their sneakers for the Longhorn Run — a campus tradition that's marking its 15th anniversary this year.

Why it matters: Longhorn Run organizers say they expect record-breaking turnout Saturday for the race's 5K and 10K events.

The spike in registration numbers comes as Austin run clubs experience record growth and as races across the country see an increase in participation.

Driving the news: The Longhorn Run sold out weeks ago for the second year in a row, with 8,000 participants expected to run through UT's campus.

What they're saying: Organizers are shifting their focus to the experience during the race by adding water stations and increasing support along the sidelines, according to Kari Terry, UT RecSports' senior assistant director for corporate partners.

"I really think we've been able to celebrate that we've successfully turned Longhorn Run into a campus tradition rather than just like, 'Oh, here's this random race that students go and run,'" Terry says.

Between the lines: Longhorn Run began as a student government initiative in 2010, with 2-mile and 10K race options.

It's since moved under the umbrella of UT's RecSports, and a 14-person student committee works year-round to put the race on.

"We want to continue to kind of create that opportunity and hopefully be a memorable moment in everyone's four years here on campus," Terry says.

Find this year's course map and other event information on their website.

Pro tip: Terry recommends getting to campus early to accommodate extra traffic. She also encourages first-time runners to run with friends and take advantage of events to meet other runners. 

UT's Longhorn Run celebrates 15 years

The race sold out for the second year in a row as Austin experiences a running boom.

Photo illustration of the University of Texas Tower with lines radiating from it.

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Chloe Moore for Axios Austin. Every spring, University of Texas students, faculty and the city&#x27;s running community lace up their sneakers for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Longhorn Run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.utlonghornrun.com/" data-vars-content-id="1f59448b-4d48-4b99-ac78-3835479eceb5" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s Longhorn Run celebrates 15 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.utlonghornrun.com/" target="_blank">the Longhorn Run</a> — a campus tradition that&#x27;s marking its 15th anniversary this year.Why it matters: Longhorn Run organizers say they expect record-breaking turnout Saturday for the race&#x27;s 5K and 10K events.

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The highly anticipated total solar eclipse finally graced Texas with its presence.

Why it matters: Texas won't be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse again until 2045, and that path will include just a small slice of the Panhandle, according to NASA.

Yes, but: The clouds were pretty thick in some areas, even though statistically Texas had the lowest chances of cloud coverage across the eclipse's U.S. path.

The ring of fire was still stunning when it peeked through the clouds, but some of those who traveled to Texas — as many as 1 million people, according to Great American Eclipse — probably hoped to see a little more of the spectacle.

Brett and Leesha Baker peered through their telescope at Dick Nichols Park in Southwest Austin. The pair traveled from Utah to experience their second total solar eclipse.

"It's a full-body experience," Leesha Baker recalled about the 2017 eclipse. "It's very humbling to have everything go dark."

A woman looking up at the sky and a man looking through a telescope

Brett and Leesha Baker taking in the eclipse. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios

At Lake Pflugerville Park, north of Austin, the clouds broke enough for good views intermittently leading up to totality. Everyone let out collective "wows" and "aahs" as totality hit.

Several people sit in a field looking up at the sky

Lucky skies at Lake Pflugerville Park. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios

Hundreds of people gathered at Hermann Park in Houston, where the Sun was 94% covered — and there was a lot of happy shouting when the eclipse was visible.

People spread across a lawn under a cloudy sky

The crowd at Hermann Park. Photo: Jay Jordan/Axios

A group of friends drove three and a half hours from Oklahoma City to view the eclipse at Windhaven Meadows Park in Plano. 

Three people sit on inflatable couches and a picnic blanket on a green lawn

Viewers at Windhaven Meadows Park in Plano knew they had to bring inflatables. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios

I-35 was uncharacteristically empty around downtown Austin during the peak of the eclipse.

An empty highway in front of the Austin skyline under dark skies

The best (you had no traffic) — and worst (you missed the eclipse) — time to be on I-35. Photo: Sami Sparber/Axios

Students from Austin's Travis Heights Elementary School and their parents cheered "Team Moon!" as totality approached.

A crowd of people look up at the sky with blankets scattered across the grass during the eclipse

School paused so parents and their kids could watch the eclipse together. The city's iconic moonlight towers illuminated during totality.  Photo: Bob Gee/Axios

Texas Solar Eclipse Fest was raffling off a Mitsubishi Eclipse in Del Rio.

An Eclipse for the eclipse. Photo: Madalyn Mendoza/Axios

Hundreds gathered at the Bath House Cultural Center on White Rock Lake in Dallas to cheer the passing of the clouds in time for a clear view of totality.

People gather at the edge of a lake to look up at the sky

The clouds parted just in time at White Rock Lake. Photo: Tasha Tsiaperas/Axios

The ring of fire around the sun beneath thin clouds

The eclipse was amazing in Arlington, even through the clouds. Photo: Courtesy of Joseph Andaya

Families, couples and groups of friends picnicked at The Colony's Grandscape, north of Dallas.

Dozens of people gather on green grass and look up at the sky

Eclipse watchers spreading out at the Grandscape. Photo: Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi/Axios

What's next: The next total solar eclipse will occur from Greenland to Spain on Aug. 12, 2026.

Go deeper: The eclipse across the U.S., including a mass wedding

The eclipse across the U.S., including a mass wedding

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What the total solar eclipse looked like in Texas

A man standing in a parking lot with a large white telescope

Sid Palmer of Jacksonville, Florida, went to Del Rio hoping for a better shot at a sunny sky. He said he still got a pretty good view despite the clouds. Photo: Madalyn Mendoza/Axios

Space

The highly anticipated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="total solar eclipse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/04/03/how-the-science-guy-sees-the-eclipse" data-vars-content-id="7e2e23b1-2ac3-4ca3-9f66-8f96aa96a2f5" data-vars-headline="What the total solar eclipse looked like in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/04/03/how-the-science-guy-sees-the-eclipse" target="_self">total solar eclipse</a> finally graced Texas with its presence.Why it matters: Texas won&#x27;t be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse again <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="until 2045" data-vars-click-url="https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEatlas/SEatlas.html" data-vars-content-id="7e2e23b1-2ac3-4ca3-9f66-8f96aa96a2f5" data-vars-headline="What the total solar eclipse looked like in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEatlas/SEatlas.html" target="_blank">until 2045</a>, and that path will include just a small slice of the Panhandle, according to NASA.

Editor's note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.

An Austin matcha pop-up is drawing lines that stretch down the sidewalk, tapping into a fast-growing U.S. market for the Japanese green tea.

Why it matters: The surge is creating business opportunities for local entrepreneurs — and supply challenges — as demand for premium matcha accelerates nationwide.

Driving the news: Austin's Mori Matcha launched as a pop-up in September and has quickly become one of the city's buzziest stops.

Co-owner Tiffany Nguyen says the business has been years in the making, rooted in her upbringing and formal training in Japan.

What they're saying: "Growing up in an Asian household, I was always surrounded by tea, and my love for matcha grew in high school before it became a trend," Nguyen said.

"My deeper knowledge developed when I was able to travel to Japan and take courses on how to properly prepare matcha and learn about the entire production process."

Zoom out: Due to the rising matcha demand, tea farmers have struggled to keep pace, triggering periodic shortages. Meanwhile, social media continues to amplify the global surge, with influencers posting brewing tutorials, reviews and recipes.

The U.S. matcha market generated $164 million in 2024 and could reach $340 million by 2033, according to market research firm Grand View Research.

The pop-up intrigue: Nguyen said she fell into pop-ups naturally, as it offered a low-risk way to test products and grow a community.

"Because quality is always our top priority over quantity, it makes committing to long-term concepts more challenging," Nguyen said. "With pop-ups, if we don't have the supply, we don't pop up."

How it works: Nguyen and her team craft every syrup in-house using five ingredients or fewer. Each recipe is organic and gluten-free.

Prep begins the night before. Mornings start with supply runs for ice and setup.

After serving customers, the team tackles cleanup, then returns to the kitchen to prepare for the next event.

"It is something I will never fully fathom," Nguyen says. "I am beyond grateful that people are willing to show up for us, and I love seeing the appreciation for the matcha ritual itself."

What's next: Mori Matcha will pop up at TruFusion on Saturday 8:15am-1:30pm.

Customers can find upcoming events in Mori Matcha's Instagram bio.

The bottom line: "Truthfully, we are just enjoying the ride," Nguyen said.

"If this were to end tomorrow, I would still be incredibly grateful for the moments and community Mori has created."

Austin pop-up fuels matcha craze

The pop-up has quickly become one of the city's buzziest stops.

Woman wearing white and black gloves preparing matcha tea on left; matcha tea being poured from a brown bowl into a clear cup labeled "mori MATCHA BAR" on right.

Mori Matcha co-owner Tiffany Nguyen strains matcha, and the final result in a Mori Matcha cup. Photos: Courtesy of Seoyeon Koo

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.An Austin matcha pop-up is drawing lines that stretch down the sidewalk, tapping into a fast-growing U.S. market for the Japanese green tea.

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Austin pop-up fuels matcha craze

UT's WaterHub aims to ease strained water supply

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What the total solar eclipse looked like in Texas

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