Compare and contrast: Trees on UT’s campus endure droughts with help from leaky pipes

EurekAlert!

Even in dry times, Waller Creek on The University of Texas at Austin campus is never without water. That’s because a significant portion of the water that flows through it — anywhere from 25% to 50% — can be traced to wastewater from leaky city pipes.
But there’s a silver lining to the less-than-perfect plumbing, according to new research. The water flowing through the creek sustains trees growing along it, allowing them to thrive during drought conditions that take a toll on trees growing along streams in more rural areas. Click here to continue reading