September 28, 2011

DAVE MCNEELY: It’s time to stop taking water for granted

The water shortage in Texas can certainly use some prayers, and maybe even some rain dances. But it’s going to take more than that — much more. That was the conclusion Saturday of panelists at a session called “The Coming Crisis Over Water.” Read more from Go San Angelo.

Draft Water Plan Says Texas “Will Not Have Enough”

Draft Water Plan Says Texas “Will Not Have Enough” “The primary message of the 2012 state water plan is a simple one,” the introduction states. “In serious drought conditions, Texas does not and will not have enough water to meet the needs of its people, and its businesses, and its agricultural enterprises.” Read full Texas Tribune article.

State Water Plan comment period open through October 25th

The Texas Water Development Board has posted the 2012 State Water Plan in draft form for public review and comment. This is your opportunity to provide input to the State of Texas about the future of our water resources. An email option makes it easy to send comments. Several public meetings will be held to gather input including October 3rd in San Antonio followed by a formal public hearing in Austin on October 17th. Learn more from TWDB.

September 25, 2011

Water conservation a habit we must keep

The current drought eventually will end — we think. But even if rain starts to fall in the next few weeks, the record-setting droughts of 2009 and this year should be reminders that if we’re not currently in a drought, we’re always on the brink of one. Read full Statesman.com article.

September 22, 2011

Texas Water Supplier Approves Emergency Drought Plan

At a board meeting on Wednesday, the Lower Colorado River Authority approved an emergency plan that could cut off water supplies to downriver rice farmers entirely next year if the drought worsens. Read full Texas Tribune article.

Texas city rips up grass in effort to save water

A study released in 1979 showed just how close El Paso was to a water crisis. Over the next couple of decades the city took drastic measures to stabilize its water supply, undergoing a philosophical and physical facelift that included ripping up grass from many public places, installing rock and cactus gardens and offering financial incentives for residents to do the same. Today, El Paso is among the few cities in the drought-stricken state not worrying about water. Read full El Paso Times article.

Surviving Drought Along the Llano

“This story is just another example of how we are all in this together. No one city or person can use water without thinking about someone else’s water needs. Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “it is when the well is dry that we know the price of water.” Texas may not yet know the price, but we are certainly understanding its value.” Read more from Amy Hardberger at EDF.

September 14, 2011

Groundwater Districts lowers tax rate to a penny per $100 valuation

In these times of severe drought and water shortages, it’s hard to believe that Travis and Comal Counties still have not formed Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) like the rest of the Texas Hill Country. One reason is that some people fear a new tax. Last week in Burnet County, the GCD voted on a lower new tax rate, only one cent ($0.01) per $100. Learn the myths and truths of GCD’s.

September 8, 2011

World Water Monitoring Day

This weekend World Water Monitoring Day will bring public awareness to issues of water quality in our rivers, lakes and streams. The Frio and the Colorado Cleanups are posted in the events section of this newsletter and both efforts need volunteers. For more information about River Cleanup projects year round or for help getting one started near you see Project Texas Rivers.

September 7, 2011

BSEACD News: Stage III Critical Drought Imminent

The Barton Spring Edwards Aquifer Conservation District issued an update this week about drought conditions, conservation and restrictions to expect. “The District asks all of its groundwater-using residents to continue their water conservation measures and be even better stewards of an increasingly scarce resource. A list of water conservation measures and more detailed information on aquifer conditions are available on District’s website athttp://www.bseacd.org.” Read the Aquifer Bulletin here.

September 8, 2011

Llano drought story featured in the New York Times

Government has always had a hard time telling Texans how to live. But the ban on most types of outdoor watering has been embraced by people in Llano, where a kind of World War II-era rationing spirit has become a way of life.” Read NY Times article here.

September 7, 2011

BSEACD News: Stage III Critical Drought Imminent

The Barton Spring Edwards Aquifer Conservation District issued an update this week about drought conditions, conservation and restrictions to expect. “The District asks all of its groundwater-using residents to continue their water conservation measures and be even better stewards of an increasingly scarce resource. A list of water conservation measures and more detailed information on aquifer conditions are available on District’s website athttp://www.bseacd.org.” Read the Aquifer Bulletin here.