Water coolers on trail coming back

AUSTIN (KXAN) - it looks like the water coolers will be returning to the running trails.

KXAN first told you Monday that the city of Austin would start requiring permits for the water coolers along the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail to remain there.

A lot of viewers told KXAN they count on the water and were disappointed to see the coolers go. The local companies who provide the coolers and water, RunTex and Rogue Running, weren't sure what this meant for the future of the service.

But KXAN learned Tuesday that the coolers will likely be back.

Rogue Running owner Ruth England says at first, acquiring a permit seemed like a deal breaker.

"They just called and said we had to do permitting, and it would cost money to do it," England said, "I didn't understand why, didn't know if there was an issue that came up, or what was going on, and there was no explanation."

Her company provided water coolers on the east side of the Hike and Bike Trail. In early November, Austin Parks and Recreation Department Director Sara Hensley said city officials realized they needed to regulate.

"We started receiving some calls about having other things on the trail. We did get some complaints, quite frankly, that it was starting to be too much out there," said Hensley.

Hensley says from there, they consulted with their legal department and determined with no permitting policy in place, they weren't doing their job.

"The bigger issue raised to us by the law department was, 'Do you have a system in place to make sure that these jugs--the coolers that are out there--are being provided in a safe manner to acceptable city code?'" said Hensley.

Hensley told KXAN one thing the Parks and Recreation Department wanted to stress is that this decision was not about making money for the city or getting rid of the coolers. She says back in the 1990s, the city essentially made a handshake agreement with local company RunTex to provide coolers of water on tables along the trail for the public to use. Not until recently did the city hit the breaks.

Companies like RunTex and Rogue Running will now need to file the proper permits--everything from operating licenses to inspection applications. The city will also make sure the coolers are secure and safe from tampering.

There is one catch. Hensley says the Parks and Recreation Department will foot the bill.

"I will pay the permit fee through my department because we believe this is a great idea," Hensley said.

The owners of RunTex and Rogue Running say they're on board and will fill out the paperwork.

"If the runners want it we'll definitely put it back," said England,  "It's for them, and we've always done it as a nice service. Runners love that cold water."

Hensley says she hopes to have the new system in place by the end of January. Also, she says the department is working with the Trail Foundation to put more drinking fountains in along the Hike and Bike Trail. While they want to keep the water coolers, they do no want to over-commercialize the trails, and they want to limit trash.