Groundwater Resources
Groundwater, or water held in our aquifers, is a major source of water in the Hill Country and one of our most valuable resources. Since 1904, the Rule of Capture has governed ownership of Texan groundwater, giving landowners the right to draw an unlimited supply of water from beneath their land. Today, the state manages groundwater through local Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs). These districts, governed by local, elected boards, can modify the Rule of Capture and develop management plans that can regulate the spacing and production of water wells.
Conservation districts are working together to manage shared aquifers through Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs). Hill Country counties fall mostly in GMA 9 and 10. These GMAs are in the process of establishing “desired future conditions” as mandated by the state.
The bulk of the Hill Country has been designated a “Priority Groundwater Management Area,” or PGMA, because it is expected to encounter critical shortages in the near future. Two significant regions in this PGMA do not fall under the jurisdiction of any conservation district: Western Comal County and Western Travis County. There is no authority in these two areas to manage and control the use of groundwater.
Click here for the latest updates about groundwater from TWDB
Direct Discharge permits threaten water quality in our creeks, streams and aquifers -
Click here for resources on Direct Discharge permits.
Recent News:
February 28, 2010
State aims to make groundwater rules more uniform
With just about every drop of river water already spoken for, suppliers, especially in Central Texas, are turning to underground water in counties to the east as the next big source. But they face a problem because groundwater districts, set up as individual fiefdoms meant to reflect local histories and philosophies about water and land use, have different permitting rules and sensibilities. Read full Statesman.com article here.
February 24, 2010
GMA9 decides on more public hearings
The board of GMA9 has decided to hold three more public hearings — in Kerrville, Wimberley and Boerne — in the coming months before it establishes new Desired Future Conditions for the Edwards Aquifer. Read full Kerrville Daily Times article here.
February 13, 2010
Cow Creek GCW plans to challenge GMA ruling
In an effort to protect Boerne’s surface water sources, the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District board approved a resolution Monday challenging the Texas Water Development Board’s recent decision that the desired future conditions adopted by the executive committee of Groundwater Management Area 9 are unreasonable. Read full Boerne Star article here.
January 29, 2010
Texas Water Development Board earns “Atta Boy”
Preserve Our Water commends the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for its decision regarding the protest of the Groundwater Management Area 9 Desired Future Condition (DFC) for the Edwards/Trinity aquifer component. Read full Preserve our Water release here.
More Groundwater News and Upcoming Events.
Helpful documents:
GCD Recommendation Draft - GCD recommendation for Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, Western Comal and SW Travis Counties. Issued by TCEQ September 2009.
Texas Hill Country Water Management Districts - A summary of the water management districts of the Texas Hill Country
TCEQ's report on the state's Priority Groundwater Management Areas - Priority Groundwater Management Areas and Groundwater Conservation Districts, Report to the 81st Texas Legislature
Groundwater in Texas - a current summary from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Conservation Districts
GMA 9 map - map of Groundwater Management Area 9
Resolution 2010-004 - Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District Resolution relating to the TWDB ruling for the Edward-Trinity DFC
Helpful links:
Edwards Aquifer daily water levels and spring flows - Current and historical information on water levels and spring flows from the Edwards Aquifer Authority
Agricultural Drought Task Force - Comprehensive Texas drought information website
Texas Water Matters - Joint effort by three conservation organizations - Environmental Defense Fund, the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, and National Wildlife Federation - to reform the way Texas manages and uses its fresh water.
Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts - Alliance formed to further the purpose of groundwater conservation and protection activities.
Texas Groundwater Protection Committee - TGPC strives to identify areas where new or existing groundwater programs could be enhanced, as well as improve coordination among agencies involved in groundwater activities.
Preserve our Water - Educating citizens in protection and preservation of Blanco County’s rural and small town communities, and encouraging informed citizen participation.
Texas Water Development Board's Groundwater Resources Division - Collecting, interpreting, and providing accurate, objective information on the groundwater resources of Texas.
Texas Water Development Board's Groundwater Management Areas - Detailed information on Texas Groundwater Management Areas
Hill Country Groundwater Management Area 9 - Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District
H2O4Texas - Created to increase public awareness of the critical water shortfalls facing our state and to begin mobilizing support for full implementation of the State Water Plan.
Water is Life - News updates and opinions about water issues in Texas and the Southwest
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