Plus, recapping our Drink Up Month.
 
07.31.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

🚰 A free future

This Austin business gives away water for free — and plans to give much more
A carton and a bottle of FreeWater sitting on a wooden deck with plants in the background.
FreeWater offers aluminum bottles and paper cartons. | Photo by ATXtoday
Two words: Free. Water.

It’s a strange, idealistic, almost utopian concept. Water? For free?

Josh Cliffords doesn’t see why it has to be. The founder of FreeWater — the Austin-based company that does exactly what it sounds like — thinks water should be free.

In fact, he has much bigger dreams than that.

What is FreeWater?

Josh’s journey to FreeWater began in 2015, when he started a nonprofit with his wife called Save the Refugees. As the organization was supporting refugees along the Balkans, he began thinking about access to water.

“A quarter of them expressed that they had left their country because they didn’t have water or food,” Josh said. “That really opened my eyes to the global water crisis and global famine issues.”

A sign reading "Well Aware" and "freewater" on a structure, with a child watching a crew dig somethign in the background.

FreeWater has contributed ~$25,000 to water-related charities through distribution of their bottles.

|

Photo provided by FreeWater

At first, Josh tried to start up FreeWater in Western Europe, and then in Silicon Valley, before finding a place for the business in Austin.

“Someone said, ‘Austin’s got this slogan, Keep Austin Weird. A free beverage company that donates to charity … that’s pretty weird. You should move to Austin,’” Josh said.

So, a few years after the idea began, he planted roots in the Capital City and got to work.

FreeWater is able to give away its products free of charge thanks to advertising that wraps the company’s aluminum bottles and paper cartons. The average consumer carries the bottle with them for roughly 45 minutes while drinking it — much longer than the average billboard or commercial viewing — and Josh said advertisers seem to be attracted to the real estate.

The business first started distributing prototypes during the pandemic, standing on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge for hours at a time. People started sharing it on social media, Josh said, “and then the whole thing just really started to blow up.”
More free products coming
Events
Monday, July 31
  • Jump On It Week | Now-Sunday, Aug. 6 | Times vary | Multiple locations | Free-$199 | This week-long festival includes live music, boat parties, workshops, and more centered on celebrating the contributions of Black Austinites.
Tuesday, Aug. 1
  • Jorge Drexler | Tuesday, Aug. 1 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $25-$48 | The former physician will perform his unique musical style in Austin.
Wednesday, Aug. 2
  • “Beauty and The Beast” | Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 13 | 8 p.m. | Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Austin | Free | Enjoy the Magnolia Musical Theatre’s production for free until Sunday, Aug. 13.
Thursday, Aug. 3
  • One Night of Queen | Thursday, Aug. 3 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $30-$50 | This two-hour show pays homage to the band’s most iconic works.
Friday, Aug. 4
Saturday, Aug. 5
  • Sushi & Sake Party | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | Central Market Austin North Lamar, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $75 | Make sushi and taste your rolls with condiments and sake.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Wellness

Support foundational health at every life stage
Ritual_Mini_07.31.23.gif
Ritual shares their ingredients’ sources, final place of manufacture, and suppliers with the first visible supply chain of its kind. | Photos by Ritual
Lacking a balanced diet in your twenties?
Pregnant in your thirties or forties?
Looking to support bone health in your fifties?

This brand has your back (yep — all of you).

Ritual’s Essential for Women multivitamins are formulated to fill nutrient gaps in the diet with clean, bioavailable key nutrients.¹

What to know:
  • 100% of ingredients Made Traceable®
  • Patented nutrient delivery technology designed for optimal absorption
  • Soy-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly + non-GMO
Snag 30% off (discount only available to our readers)
¹ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
News Notes
Transit
  • TxDOT’s work to overhaul I-35 may reroute or close parts of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. The agency said they anticipate short closures and will prioritize safety when construction begins next year. (KXAN)
Civic
  • The City of Austin will invest $65 million in partnership with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to expand emergency shelters and homelessness resources. Funds will be allocated to three local nonprofits, with a goal of adding at least 700 shelter beds. (KVUE)
Award
  • Wimberley’s Blue Hole Regional Park received a TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award for the third year in a row. The park received its recognition for consistent outstanding reviews and ratings from visitors. (CBS Austin)
Coming Soon
  • Matthew Mcconaughey’s new children’s book will hit the shelves in September. “Just Because” centers on life lessons and individuality, and McConaughey himself will promote the launch at BookPeople on Saturday, Sept. 9. (CultureMap Austin)
Drink

🥂 Cheers, Austin

Recapping ATXtoday’s Drink Up Month
City Editor Figi clinking a coffee cup toward the camera
We enjoyed spending Drink Up Month with you, Austin. | Gif by ATXtoday
It’s been real, Austin.

Today is the last day of Drink Up Month, so we’re looking back on some of the content and partnerships we’ve enjoyed this July.

This month, we told you about:
    In addition to bringing you stories about the local beverage industry, we also partnered with local businesses to bring you specialty drinks and discounts, including:
    Drink Up Month may be over, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop celebrating local beverages any time soon.

    Click the button below to tell us what we missed, or let us know how you liked our coverage.
    Share your feedback
     
    Share ATXtoday
     

    Share the good news. Get rewarded.

    Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

    {{profile.vars.rh_reflink_5}}
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

    {{profile.vars.rh_totref_5}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
    Claim your rewards
     
    The Wrap
     
    London Gibson

    Today’s edition by:
    London
    From the editor
    Is there anything nicer than an afternoon at Zilker Park? For the first time since the heat set in, I recently spent a lovely few hours on Rock Island overlooking the skyline. My favorite view though? The happy pups.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Subscribe     ›
    Advertise     ›
    Shop     ›
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY