Best Water Softener for Austin, TX — 17 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Austin, TX

Your tankless water heater is dying a slow, expensive death, and Austin's water is the silent killer. At 16.8 grains per gallon (GPG), Austin delivers some of the most punishing water hardness in Texas — a mineral concentration so extreme it transforms everyday water use into a home maintenance crisis. Every gallon flowing through your pipes carries enough dissolved limestone to coat, clog, and corrode your most expensive appliances.

To understand what 16.8 GPG means in practical terms, imagine each gallon of Austin water as carrying nearly 17 teaspoons of dissolved rock. This isn't a metaphor — Austin's water pulls calcium carbonate and magnesium sulfate directly from the Edwards Aquifer's limestone bedrock, creating a mineral soup that turns your plumbing into a geological experiment. The Edwards Aquifer, Austin's primary water source, filters through millions of years of limestone deposits before reaching your tap, picking up every dissolved mineral along the way.

Austin's 16.8 GPG water hardness falls into the "Extremely Hard" classification — the highest category on the water hardness scale. This level of hardness means Austin homeowners face appliance replacement schedules 2-3 times faster than the national average. Your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and coffee maker are under constant mineral assault, with scale deposits forming faster than most maintenance schedules can address.

The financial implications are staggering for Austin residents. A typical household spends an additional $1,200-$1,800 annually on the "hard water tax" — extra energy costs from scale-clogged appliances, premature appliance replacements, excessive soap and detergent usage, and plumbing repairs. Over a 10-year period, Austin's extremely hard water can cost a homeowner $15,000-$20,000 in avoidable expenses.

2. What 16.8 GPG Does to Your Home

At 16.8 GPG, calcium carbonate doesn't just coat your water heater elements — it encases them in a concrete-like shell within months. Austin's extreme hardness level means scale formation happens at an alarming rate. Your water heater's efficiency drops by 15-25% in the first year alone, and a standard 40-gallon electric unit can lose 40-50% of its heating capacity within 18-24 months. The limestone-heavy water creates thick, insulating deposits that force heating elements to work overtime, driving up your Austin Energy bills while shortening appliance life.

Inside your pipes, 16.8 GPG water creates a crystallization process that resembles stalactite formation in caves. Calcium and magnesium ions bond to pipe walls every time water heats up or evaporates, building concentric rings of scale that narrow your pipes like arterial plaque. Austin homes with galvanized steel plumbing — common in neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Clarksville, and East Austin — see measurable pipe diameter reduction within 3-5 years. Copper pipes fare better but still accumulate scale, especially at joints and fittings where water turbulence increases.

Austin's 16.8 GPG devastates appliance lifespans across the board. Dishwashers typically last 6-8 years instead of the manufacturer's projected 10-12 years, while washing machines face similar reductions. Tankless water heaters, increasingly popular in Austin's new construction, are particularly vulnerable — many manufacturers void warranties if a water softener isn't installed in areas exceeding 12 GPG. At 16.8 GPG, Austin homeowners risk losing thousands in warranty coverage on premium appliances.

The soap waste at Austin's hardness level is mathematically brutal. Calcium and magnesium ions chemically react with soap molecules to form insoluble scum instead of cleansing lather. Austin households use 3-4 times more soap, shampoo, and detergent than families in soft-water cities. A typical Austin family spends an extra $300-$400 annually just on cleaning products, with much of that soap ending up as gray film on dishes and laundry rather than providing any cleaning benefit.

Your skin and hair bear the brunt of Austin's mineral-heavy water daily. At 16.8 GPG, calcium ions actively strip moisture from skin cells, leaving Austin residents with dry, itchy skin that's particularly noticeable during Texas's hot summers. Hair becomes coated with mineral deposits, feeling stiff and looking dull despite expensive shampoos and conditioners. Dermatologists in Austin frequently see patients with contact dermatitis and eczema flare-ups directly linked to the city's extremely hard water.

Austin's hard water transforms laundry from a routine chore into a costly battle against mineral deposits. Clothes washed in 16.8 GPG water become gray, stiff, and scratchy as calcium builds up in fabric fibers. White clothing yellows prematurely, and colorful garments fade faster. The mineral deposits also trap dirt and odors, meaning clothes never feel truly clean despite repeated washings. Austin families often replace clothing and linens more frequently than necessary, unaware that water hardness is the culprit.

The annual "hard water tax" for an Austin household at 16.8 GPG totals approximately $1,600-$1,900 when combining increased energy costs, appliance depreciation, extra soap usage, and clothing replacement. Over a typical 15-year homeownership period, Austin's extremely hard water costs the average household between $24,000-$28,500 in preventable expenses.

3. Austin's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the crushing 16.8 GPG hardness baseline, Austin homeowners also contend with chlorine, chloramine, and sediment — each of which compounds the mineral problem in destructive ways. Austin Water treats the city's supply with a rotating disinfection protocol, switching between chlorine and chloramine depending on seasonal demand and water quality conditions. This creates a complex chemical environment where disinfectants interact with limestone minerals to accelerate corrosion and scaling throughout Austin's aging pipe infrastructure.

Chlorine in Austin's Water Supply

Austin Water adds chlorine as a primary disinfectant, typically maintaining levels between 1.0-4.0 mg/L depending on seasonal factors and distribution distance. Chlorine enters Austin's water at treatment plants along the Colorado River and from the Edwards Aquifer wells, where it serves as the first line of defense against bacterial contamination. However, chlorine's interaction with Austin's 16.8 GPG hardness creates a compounding problem for homeowners.

At extremely hard water levels, chlorine accelerates the oxidation of metal pipes and fixtures, particularly affecting Austin's older neighborhoods with galvanized steel plumbing. The combination of chlorine and heavy mineral content etches protective coatings off pipe interiors, leading to faster corrosion and more frequent plumbing repairs. Austin residents often notice a stronger chlorine taste and odor during summer months when treatment plants increase disinfection levels to combat higher bacterial loads in warmer water.

Chlorine also degrades rubber gaskets, O-rings, and seals throughout plumbing systems — a process accelerated by scale buildup that creates crevices where chlorinated water can pool and concentrate. The EPA's maximum allowable chlorine level is 4.0 mg/L, and Austin typically operates well below this threshold, but the combination with extreme hardness makes even moderate chlorine levels more problematic than in soft-water cities.

The SoftPro Elite HE water softener does not remove chlorine — homeowners concerned about chlorine taste, odor, or pipe corrosion should consider pairing the softener with an activated carbon whole-house filter designed for chlorine reduction.

Chloramine in Austin's Water Supply

Austin Water periodically switches to chloramine (chlorine + ammonia) as a secondary disinfectant, particularly during high-demand summer months when maintaining disinfectant residual throughout the distribution system becomes challenging. Chloramine is more stable than chlorine, meaning it persists longer in pipes and provides better protection against bacterial regrowth in Austin's extensive water distribution network.

However, chloramine presents unique challenges for Austin homeowners already dealing with 16.8 GPG hardness. Chloramine is significantly harder to remove than chlorine, requiring catalytic carbon filtration rather than standard activated carbon. Many Austin residents report a distinctive "medicinal" or "band-aid" odor when chloramine is present, which becomes more noticeable in hot water where both chloramine and mineral concentrations are elevated.

Chloramine can also interact with lead in older Austin homes — particularly concerning in neighborhoods like Tarrytown, Crestview, and parts of South Austin where pre-1986 plumbing may contain lead solder or fixtures. The EPA's maximum allowable chloramine level is 4.0 mg/L (measured as chlorine), and Austin maintains levels well within this limit.

The SoftPro Elite HE does not remove chloramine. Austin homeowners wanting to address both hardness and chloramine should consider a catalytic carbon whole-house filter upstream of the water softener.

Sediment in Austin's Water Supply

Austin's water distribution system, with over 3,000 miles of underground pipes, regularly introduces sediment through main breaks, construction disturbances, and aging infrastructure. The sediment typically consists of rust particles from iron pipes, sand from construction sites, and mineral particles from the limestone-rich Edwards Aquifer. Austin Water issues periodic "boil water" advisories when sediment levels spike, usually following major infrastructure repairs or extreme weather events.

At 16.8 GPG hardness, sediment creates a compounding problem for Austin homeowners. Suspended particles provide nucleation sites where calcium and magnesium can crystallize more rapidly, accelerating scale formation throughout plumbing systems. The combination of sediment and extreme hardness also clogs and damages water softener resin faster than either problem alone.

Austin residents in areas with older infrastructure — particularly neighborhoods east of I-35 and parts of South Austin — report more frequent sediment episodes, especially following City of Austin utility work or seasonal flooding along area creeks. The EPA's secondary standard for turbidity is 4 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units), and Austin typically maintains much lower levels, but episodic spikes can still impact household systems.

The SoftPro Elite HE includes a self-cleaning sediment pre-filter specifically designed to capture particles before they reach the softening resin — a crucial feature for Austin homeowners dealing with both sediment and extreme hardness simultaneously.

4. Why Most Austin Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Austin's 16.8 GPG water hardness exposes every shortcut and mistake in water softener selection with ruthless efficiency. Most homeowners approach softener buying like any other appliance purchase — comparing prices, reading basic reviews, and assuming all softeners work the same way. At Austin's extreme hardness level, this approach guarantees expensive failure within months.

The biggest mistake Austin homeowners make is buying on price alone, completely ignoring the mathematical reality of 16.8 GPG demand. A 24,000-grain softener that works perfectly in San Antonio (7-9 GPG) will fail catastrophically in Austin within days. The resin becomes exhausted so quickly that homeowners wake up to hard water symptoms despite having a "working" softener. Many Austin residents end up buying twice — first the cheap unit that fails, then the properly sized system they should have purchased initially.

Austin homeowners also frequently confuse water softeners with water filters, expecting one system to address both the 16.8 GPG hardness and Austin's chlorine, chloramine, and sediment issues simultaneously. Water softeners use ion exchange to remove only calcium and magnesium — they do not reliably remove chlorine, chloramine, or sediment. Austin residents need to understand that addressing their city's complex water profile requires a systematic approach, with softening as the primary treatment and additional filtration for specific contaminants.

The grain capacity math mistake costs Austin homeowners thousands in wasted salt, water, and system maintenance. Many installers use generic formulas that work in moderately hard water but completely underestimate Austin's 16.8 GPG reality. The proper formula for Austin households is: [People] × 75 gallons/day × 16.8 GPG = daily grain demand. For a 4-person Austin household: 4 × 75 × 16.8 = 5,040 grains per day. Most homeowners buy systems sized for half this demand, leading to daily regeneration cycles that waste salt and water while providing inconsistent soft water.

Austin homeowners also overlook salt efficiency calculations, a critical oversight at extreme hardness levels. At 16.8 GPG, a softener regenerates 2-3 times more frequently than in moderate hardness cities. An inefficient unit can use 80-120 pounds of salt monthly, while a high-efficiency model uses 40-60 pounds for the same household. Over 10 years, this efficiency difference costs Austin homeowners $800-$1,200 in unnecessary salt purchases plus the labor of frequent refilling.

5. The SoftPro Elite HE: Built for Austin's Water

After evaluating Austin's water hardness of 16.8 GPG and the presence of chlorine, chloramine, and sediment in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Austin homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This isn't about brand preference — it's about matching system capabilities to Austin's specific water chemistry demands. At extreme hardness levels, the technical differences between softeners become crucial for long-term performance and cost control.

The SoftPro Elite HE uses true salt-based ion exchange with high-capacity cation resin — the only technology that can physically remove Austin's crushing mineral load. Salt-free systems, popular in moderately hard water cities, attempt to change crystal structure rather than removing hardness minerals. At 16.8 GPG, salt-free systems cannot prevent scale formation — they simply delay it while allowing calcium and magnesium to accumulate throughout your plumbing. The SoftPro's ion exchange resin physically captures calcium and magnesium ions, replacing them with sodium ions and delivering genuinely mineral-free water.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR) is operationally essential for Austin households, not just a convenience feature. At 16.8 GPG, resin exhausts faster than in moderate hardness cities, making regeneration timing critical. DIR monitors actual water usage and resin capacity, regenerating only when the resin bed is depleted. This prevents hard water breakthrough (under-regeneration) that would allow scale formation, while avoiding salt and water waste (over-regeneration) that drives up operating costs. For Austin households facing high mineral loads, DIR ensures consistent soft water delivery while optimizing salt efficiency.

The NSF/ANSI Standard 44 certified resin meets performance and materials safety standards — crucial for Austin residents already managing multiple water quality challenges. Certification verifies that the resin maintains structural integrity under high mineral loading and doesn't leach contaminants into treated water. Given Austin's complex water profile with disinfectants and sediment, knowing the softening process itself doesn't introduce additional contamination provides Austin homeowners with essential peace of mind.

The SoftPro Elite HE's grain capacity options (32K, 48K, 64K, 80K) allow precise sizing for Austin's 16.8 GPG demand. For a typical 4-person Austin household using 300 gallons daily, the calculation is: 300 gallons × 16.8 GPG = 5,040 grains daily demand. Weekly demand: 5,040 × 7 = 35,280 grains. Adding a 20% buffer for high-usage days: 35,280 × 1.2 = 42,336 grains. The 48K-grain model provides optimal capacity, regenerating every 6-7 days for maximum efficiency. Austin families with higher water usage should consider the 64K model.

The 10-year warranty provides Austin homeowners with protection during the critical high-stress period. At 16.8 GPG, softener resin sees daily mineral loading equivalent to monthly exposure in soft-water cities. This accelerated wear pattern makes warranty coverage essential for Austin households. The comprehensive warranty covers both resin replacement and control valve repairs — the two components most stressed by extreme hardness conditions.

The SoftPro Elite HE's self-cleaning sediment pre-filter captures particles before they reach the softening resin — addressing Austin's sediment issues while protecting system longevity. Austin's aging infrastructure and construction activity create periodic sediment loads that can foul and damage softener resin over time. The integrated pre-filter removes particles down to 5 microns, preventing sediment from providing nucleation sites for accelerated scale formation while extending resin life in Austin's challenging water environment.

For Austin households dealing with 16.8 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of chlorine, chloramine, and sediment, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade — it is infrastructure protection for your home.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Austin

Austin's 16.8 GPG water hardness demands precise softener sizing — there's no room for estimation errors at extreme hardness levels. Undersizing guarantees hard water breakthrough and appliance damage, while oversizing wastes salt and water while driving up operating costs. Follow this step-by-step formula specifically calibrated for Austin's mineral load:

Step 1: Count household members accurately, including regular overnight guests or family members who shower daily.

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day — the EPA standard for typical residential water usage including drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, and dishwashing.

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 16.8 GPG = daily grain demand. This is the total mineral load your softener must process every 24 hours.

Step 4: Multiply daily grain demand × 7 = weekly grain demand for initial capacity targeting.

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days, guests, lawn watering, and seasonal variations in Austin's water consumption patterns.

Step 6: Match your calculated weekly grain demand to SoftPro Elite HE grain capacity: 32K / 48K / 64K / 80K options.

Here's the arithmetic worked out for a 4-person Austin household: 4 people × 75 gallons = 300 gallons daily usage. 300 gallons × 16.8 GPG = 5,040 grains daily demand. 5,040 grains × 7 days = 35,280 grains weekly. 35,280 + 20% buffer = 42,336 grains total weekly capacity needed. The 48K-grain SoftPro Elite HE model provides optimal capacity, regenerating every 5-7 days for maximum salt efficiency and consistent soft water delivery.

Austin households should target regeneration every 5-7 days for peak performance. More frequent regeneration wastes salt and water, while less frequent regeneration risks resin exhaustion and hard water breakthrough. At 16.8 GPG, maintaining this regeneration schedule is critical for preventing scale formation and protecting Austin's expensive appliances.

7. Installation in Austin: What to Know

Austin does not require a licensed plumber for water softener installation, but the city's high water pressure and complex plumbing codes make professional installation advisable for most homeowners. Austin's municipal water pressure typically ranges from 50-80 PSI throughout the distribution system, well within the SoftPro Elite HE's operating range of 25-125 PSI. However, Austin Water recommends pressure regulation for any appliance installation to protect against pressure surges that occasionally occur during system maintenance.

Proper placement is critical for Austin installations: the softener must be installed after the main water shutoff valve but before the water heater. This ensures all household water receives treatment while allowing system bypass during maintenance. Austin's plumbing code requires accessible shutoff valves on both sides of the softener installation, and the system must be installed in a location protected from freezing — rarely an issue in Austin's climate but important for outdoor installations or unheated basements.

The drain line requirement deserves special attention in Austin installations. The SoftPro Elite HE discharges approximately 50-75 gallons of brine during each regeneration cycle, which occurs every 5-7 days in Austin's 16.8 GPG water. Austin's plumbing code allows drain connections to laundry sinks, floor drains, or standpipes, but prohibits direct connection to septic systems in Austin's remaining rural areas. The drain line must maintain a proper air gap to prevent backflow contamination.

For Austin's 16.8 GPG consumption rate, use evaporated salt pellets exclusively — avoid solar crystals or rock salt that leave residue in extreme hardness applications. Evaporated pellets provide 99.9% purity, minimizing brine tank cleaning and preventing insoluble residue that can clog control valves. Austin homeowners should expect to check salt levels monthly, as the high regeneration frequency at 16.8 GPG typically consumes 40-60 pounds of salt per month for a typical household.

Austin Energy offers rebates for high-efficiency water treatment systems through their energy conservation programs — check current availability as rebate programs change annually. The installation should include a water meter bypass to comply with Austin Water's backflow prevention requirements, and homeowners should notify Austin Water of the softener installation to update service records.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Austin Homeowners

Austin's 16.8 GPG water hardness accelerates all maintenance schedules compared to moderate hardness cities — staying ahead of this timeline prevents expensive repairs and ensures consistent performance. The extreme mineral loading means Austin homeowners cannot follow generic maintenance recommendations designed for average water conditions. This aggressive maintenance schedule is calibrated specifically for Austin's challenging water environment.

Monthly maintenance is non-negotiable at Austin's hardness level: Check salt level religiously, as consumption at 16.8 GPG is 2-3 times higher than moderate hardness cities. Austin households typically consume 40-60 pounds of salt monthly. Inspect for salt bridges — a hard crust forming above the water line that blocks regeneration brine from dissolving properly. Confirm the bypass valve remains in service position, as vibration from Austin's frequent construction activity can shift valve positions.

Every 3 months, Austin homeowners must perform deeper system checks: Clean the brine tank thoroughly, removing any accumulated sediment or salt residue that builds up faster in extreme hardness applications. Test post-softener water hardness with test strips — readings should consistently show under 1 GPG. If hardness creeps above 1 GPG, resin performance is declining. Inspect the sediment pre-filter and clean if particle accumulation is visible, as Austin's infrastructure creates periodic sediment loads.

Annual maintenance prevents the major problems that plague Austin softener owners: Complete brine tank disassembly and cleaning removes mineral buildup that can clog injectors and reduce regeneration efficiency. Perform a comprehensive resin bed performance evaluation — if post-softener hardness readings become inconsistent or elevated, resin cleaning or replacement may be necessary. Austin's high mineral loading can exhaust resin capacity 20-30% faster than in moderate hardness cities.

Every 5 years, Austin homeowners should evaluate resin replacement based on performance rather than time alone. At 16.8 GPG, resin experiences mineral loading equivalent to 10-15 years of service in soft-water cities. Signs of resin degradation include: increasing salt usage for the same capacity, inconsistent soft water delivery, or visible resin beads in household water. Professional resin evaluation can determine whether cleaning extends service life or replacement is necessary.

Austin residents should establish baseline hardness readings before installation and retest monthly to confirm system performance. Home test kits provide adequate accuracy for routine monitoring, while annual professional water testing ensures comprehensive system evaluation. Keep detailed maintenance logs, as warranty claims for resin or control valve issues require documentation of proper maintenance in extreme hardness applications.

9. Frequently Asked Questions for Austin Residents

10. Is Austin's water at 16.8 GPG dangerous to drink?

Austin's 16.8 GPG water hardness is not dangerous to drink — the minerals are naturally occurring calcium and magnesium from limestone bedrock. The EPA does not regulate hardness as a health concern, and these minerals can actually contribute to daily calcium and magnesium intake. However, the extreme hardness level causes significant property damage, appliance failure, and increased household costs that make treatment essential for Austin homeowners from a financial perspective.

11. Will a water softener remove chlorine and chloramine from Austin's water?

No, the SoftPro Elite HE water softener does not remove chlorine or chloramine — it only removes calcium and magnesium hardness minerals. Austin homeowners concerned about chlorine taste, odor, or chloramine's medicinal smell need a separate activated carbon filter (for chlorine) or catalytic carbon filter (for chloramine). These can be installed upstream of the softener as whole-house filters or downstream as point-of-use systems for drinking water.

12. How much salt will I use per month in Austin at 16.8 GPG?

Austin households typically use 40-60 pounds of salt monthly due to the frequent regeneration required at 16.8 GPG hardness. A 4-person household with a properly sized SoftPro Elite HE system regenerating every 5-7 days will consume approximately 8-12 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle. Larger families or higher water usage increases salt consumption proportionally. Use only evaporated salt pellets in Austin's extreme hardness conditions.

13. Does Austin require a permit to install a water softener?

Austin does not require a permit for water softener installation, but the system must comply with plumbing code requirements for backflow prevention and proper drainage. Professional installation ensures compliance with Austin Water's cross-connection control requirements and city plumbing codes. Homeowners should notify Austin Water of the installation to update service records, though this is not legally required.

14. Why does soft water feel slippery in the shower?

Soft water feels slippery because it allows soap to work properly — Austin residents are accustomed to the false "squeaky clean" feeling caused by soap scum film on their skin. At 16.8 GPG, Austin's hard water prevents soap from lathering and leaves mineral deposits on skin. Soft water removes this interference, allowing soap to create the slippery feeling that indicates actual cleansing. Most Austin families adjust to the sensation within 2-3 weeks.

15. How quickly will I see results after installing a softener in Austin?

Austin homeowners see immediate results in water feel and soap performance, but existing scale removal takes 3-6 months at 16.8 GPG hardness levels. New scale formation stops immediately, but the thick mineral deposits already coating Austin appliances and pipes dissolve gradually. Water heater efficiency improvements become noticeable on energy bills within 60-90 days as existing scale slowly dissolves from heating elements.

16. Can the SoftPro Elite HE handle Austin's water without additional filtration?

The SoftPro Elite HE effectively handles Austin's 16.8 GPG hardness and includes sediment pre-filtration, but chlorine and chloramine require separate treatment if removal is desired. For comprehensive Austin water treatment, consider pairing the softener with activated carbon filtration for chlorine or catalytic carbon for chloramine. The softener's primary job is hardness removal, which it accomplishes completely, but Austin's multi-contaminant profile benefits from a systematic treatment approach.

17. Final Verdict for Austin

Austin's extreme water hardness of 16.8 GPG demands professional-grade treatment — this isn't a water quality preference, it's home infrastructure protection. The combination of crushing mineral loads, periodic chloramine treatment, and sediment from aging pipes creates a water environment that destroys appliances, wastes energy, and costs Austin homeowners thousands of dollars annually in preventable expenses.

The presence of chlorine, chloramine, and sediment compounds Austin's hardness problem in measurable ways: chlorine accelerates pipe corrosion in high-mineral environments, chloramine requires specialized removal methods, and sediment provides nucleation sites for faster scale formation. Austin homeowners need a systematic approach that addresses hardness first, then tackles specific contaminants based on individual priorities and budget.

The SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener is the right match for Austin because its demand-initiated regeneration prevents hard water breakthrough at extreme hardness levels, its grain capacity options allow precise sizing for Austin's 16.8 GPG demand, and its integrated sediment pre-filter protects against Austin's infrastructure-related particle problems. These aren't luxury features — they're operational necessities in Austin's challenging water environment.

Check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for an Austin household. Focus on the 48K or 64K models for most families, ensure professional installation with proper drainage, and budget for monthly salt purchases of 40-60 pounds. The investment pays for itself within 18-24 months through appliance protection, energy savings, and reduced soap consumption.

Austin homeowners who delay water softener installation are essentially writing checks to appliance manufacturers, energy companies, and soap producers — money that should stay in your pocket instead of flowing down Lady Bird Lake.