Disagreeing with Dallas-Fort Worth-area water officials, the Texas Water Development Board decided on Wednesday that a years-long conflict over a yet-to-be-built reservoir in the region’s 50-year water plan is serious enough that it should be resolved.
The water-planning agency voted unanimously to deem a disagreement between two contiguous water-planning regions in North and Northeast Texas an “interregional conflict,” setting into motion a third-party mediation that must begin by Oct. 5.
WIMBERLEY — On a recent weeknight, nearly 200 Hays County residents packed into the Wimberley Community Center for what some described as a celebration.
Six months earlier, three times as many had stormed the place demanding state legislation they hoped would thwart a major water development project that could cannibalize their own supplies.
A bill passed — barely — days before the end of this year’s legislative session, resurrected after a rare about face by the House parliamentarian. Enacted weeks later, state Rep. Jason Isaac’s House Bill 3405 expanded the jurisdiction of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District to encompass a previously unregulated Trinity Aquifer well field in western Hays County owned by Houston-based Electro Purification.
AUSTIN – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved financial assistance for water and wastewater system improvements. Of this funding, $4,055,000 was designated for three rural projects.
AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved approximately $3.9 billion in financial assistance from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT). The inaugural round of SWIFT financing will be distributed to 21 applicants for approximately $1 billion in projects in the first year and approximately $3.9 billion total over the next decade.
“Being able to finance projects through SWIFT is a major step toward achieving the goal of securing Texas’ long-term water supplies,” said TWDB Chairman Bech Bruun. “The projects selected to receive SWIFT financing will help ensure that Texans have sustainable and reliable water sources for decades to come.”
COLLEGE STATION — After a long dry period, many parts of the state have finally received some badly needed rain, and those with rainwater harvesting systems have been reaping the rewards of this belated gift from Mother Nature, said Texas A&M AgriLife water resources experts.
“Rainwater harvesting is a time-tested and effective means of water conservation and irrigation,” said Billy Kniffen, retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service statewide water resource specialist and past director of the American Rainwater Catchment Association. “And with drought affecting much of Texas, interest in rainwater harvesting from industry, various levels of government and homeowners is increasing. People in general are becoming more receptive to implementing these practices.”
