Brad Brunett

Who owns the water in our rivers and lakes? Why do certain people, municipalities, and agencies get water rights? Is a watermaster a superhero or a real person? There are a lot of misconceptions about the answers to these questions, and in this episode, David Collinsworth, BRA’s General Manager and CEO, and Brad Brunett, BRA's chief operations officer, break down the complicated Texas water rights and how they affect you.   Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority.  Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org.   Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer. Guests: David Collinsworth, BRA’s General Manager and CEO, and Brad Brunett, BRA's chief operations officer Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst.    About us:  The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves.

Growth and water needs are colliding in Eastern Williamson County. We’re unpacking a series of projects ongoing to secure a sustainable water future for the entire region. Learn about the bottlenecks, dealing with 112-degree water, and the radical idea of storing water in underground “bubbles.” Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org.   Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer. Guests: Brad Brunett, BRA Chief Operations Officer, and Mandy Cullar, BRA program manager. Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst.    About us:  The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves.

From the 28-mile Williamson County pipeline to the ambitious new drought project connecting Lakes Belton and Stillhouse Hollow, we’re talking to the experts about how pipelines aren’t just about digging trenches. With the Brazos River Basin population expected to double in the next 50 years, it's about balancing water quality, navigating thousands of property easements, and facing the hard truth that the era of cheap water is officially in the rearview mirror. Just how big a role will pipelines play in Texans’ future? After you've listened to the episode, check out this awesome profile on BRA’s pipeline supervisor Colton Adkins. Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority.    Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org. Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer. Guests: Matt Phillips, BRA deputy general manager, and Brad Brunett, BRA’s chief operations officer. Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst.  About us:  The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves.

They’re tiny, relentless, and threatening to cause chaos in Central Texas. But a surprising ally may be the key to keeping our drinking water safe – and your boating adventures drama free. Tune in to hear what’s happening beneath the surface of one of your favorite fishing lakes and how bath time is no joke. Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority.    If you prefer to read an article on the topic, click here. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org.   Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer. Guests: Tiffany Malzahn, BRA's chief environmental officer, and Brad Brunett, BRA's chief operations officer. Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst.    About us:  The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves.   📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.