‘We need more’: Despite recent rains, San Antonio area still locked in drought

Parts of Central Texas, including San Antonio, have seen a rainy start to 2024, with more than six inches of precipitation in January. But the Bandera area has seen far less — just two inches in the past month. And that matters across the region, because many of the...

Another hot, dry summer may push parts of Texas to the brink

Two consecutive summers of brutal heat and drought have left some parts of Texas with notably low water supplies going into 2024. A wet year or a well-placed hurricane could quickly pull these regions back from the brink. But winter rains have disappointed so far....

Thousands of oil and gas wastewater spills threaten property, groundwater, wildlife and livestock across Texas

In the state’s latest Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report, the Railroad Commission had included 557 groundwater contamination cases caused by oil and gas operations. The spokesperson said cases where chloride contaminated the groundwater—of which...

Residents, groups fight plan to dump wastewater into Hill Country waterway

Residents and environmental groups are asking state regulators to deny a developer’s request to build a plant that would dump 300,000 gallons of treated wastewater a day into Hondo Creek, saying the plan could damage the Hill Country waterway. The wastewater plant...

Aqua Texas sues Hays County groundwater district over a nearly $450,000 overpumping fine

Aqua Texas, a water utility company that services more than 3,000 customers in Hays County, filed a federal lawsuit late last month against the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District alleging unequal treatment following fines imposed for overpumping. The...

Exploding development in Gillespie County

Aquifers, rivers need high consideration along with growth. “Everyone is concerned about the explosion of growth”, said Paul Tybor, General Manager of the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District. Read more from Katherine Peake in the Fredericksburg...