Barton Springs / Edwards Aquifer Conservation District News

BARTON SPRINGS / EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Subscribe to Aquifer eNews                                                            August 2019

UPDATED MONITOR SITES WEBMAP

The District has published significant updates to the Monitor Wells and Aquifer Data page. The interactive map includes an expanded number of monitoring sites with online links to the associated data page. The compilation of sites includes sites maintained by US Geological Survey (USGS), Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), Hays-Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD), and the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD). There is an agency field to give credit to the maintaining agency.

Here are a few tips and tricks to get the most out of the webmap. The hyperlink within the attribute table (click on the site within the webmap) will open up a new tab directed at the site’s online link. Clicking the double arrows in the upper left hand corner of the webmap reveals a customizable legend with layers that can be toggled on and off. The basemap selector provides a variety of basemaps (topo, aerial images, streets, etc). The map is enabled with a location search to quickly zoom to the entered address. Use the scroll wheel on a mouse or the magnifying glass + and – icons to zoom in and out. A hyperlink below the embedded map will link to a full-size version of the interactive map.

NEEDMORE INDEX WELL PAGE

In July 2019, The District converted the Amos monitor well into a District-maintained monitor well that will serve as the Needmore Index Well (Permit page). It was continuously monitored by the Hays-Trinity Groundwater Conservation District from winter 2015 to summer 2019 (link). Since then, the District has deployed a continuous water-level sensor that can transmit real-time measurements back to the office. Staff are currently refining the online public interface and verifying equipment and measurements. Water-level measurements will eventually be available on the Needmore Index Well page.

The District has water-level records on a variety of wells in the area. A robust neighborhood site-visit program, active exempt and limited production permit program, and an extensive monitoring-well network (including wells with continuous and periodic measurements) have contributed a large number of water-level measurements. This year’s Neighborhood Site Visit program will likely target well owners in south-central Hays County and be in collaboration with HTGCD. The Needmore Index Well page has a detailed static map showing water-level measurements and monitoring efforts by the BSEACD and HTGCD.

NEEDMORE PUBLIC HEARING RECAP

On July 29, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. at the City of Buda City Council Chambers the Board convened a special called meeting to hold a public hearing on the conversion of the Needmore Water LLC Temporary Permit to a Regular Permit. View the staff presentation here.

The Board voted to grant Needmore a regular permit with special provisions in the amount of 289,080,000; the motion passed 5-0. This amount is the maximum production capacity that Needmore was eligible to request under the statutory requirements of H.B. 3405. The Needmore regular permit requires the drought curtailments of a Historical Trinity Production Permit as well as the terms outlined in the proposed Special Provisions. The special provisions approved by the Board are a set of response measures, conditions, and requirements that are designed to be protective of aquifer conditions and to avoid unreasonable impacts to existing well owners.

On August 15, pursuant to the Texas Water Code, the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) formally notified the BSEACD Board of Directors its request for the findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the Board’s decision granting the Needmore Water, LLC a groundwater permit on July 29, 2019. The Board will be considering this request at its next regular meeting on September 12, 2019. Additional details, presentations, and documents can be found on the Needmore Permit Notice page.

ANNUAL REMINDER FOR PERMITTED RESIDENTIAL WELLS

Residential well owners with a Limited Production Permit (LPP) are required to submit an annual meter reading to the District office between August 15-September 1. Email reminders with links to the online meter reading form were sent on August 15 to the email on file. Please update owner contact information and/or notify the District of any change in ownership.

Reporting annual groundwater pumpage is essential in our mission to manage and preserve all aquifers in the District. It is important that we maintain accurate permittee information in order for us to serve our groundwater community and to allow us to continue to provide notification of potential groundwater contamination, drought status, and District news updates.

For further information or if you have questions about your LPP well, please feel free to contact Erin Swanson by phone or email at 512-282-8441 or eswanson@bseacd.org. For help reading your meter, please visit the meter readings web page. The District’s Well Owner Resource page also has useful information on well components, leak detection, and outdoor water conservation.

ELECTRO PURIFICATION WELL PLUGGINGS COMPLETE

On May 10, 2019, Electro Purification (EP) submitted seven well plugging applications to bring the seven existing test wells into compliance with state and District well construction standards for test wells. EP requested four of the test wells to be temporarily plugged, and in the future if a production permit is issued by the District, the wells will be permanently re-completed as public water-supply wells. The other three test wells were to be permanently re-completed as exempt and/or monitor wells.

Work is complete on all seven test wells, and on August 26, 2019, the District received the well plugging and recompletion reports. See EP Permit Notice page for details.

Teacher Wish List Requests

The District’s free teaching materials are back and better than ever this year! In an effort to enhance area water conservation and water quality teaching initiatives, teachers may enter to win FREE materials to strengthen their programs. Preference will be given to first-time participants and schools/groups within the District. If selected, you will be awarded one of the educational materials to keep and utilize, so long as you share what impact they had on your students or programs. The materials consist of hands-on learning tools that help to investigate the groundwater resources, water quality, and conservation habits.

Submit your request HERE by October 1st for a chance to be selected to receive FREE teaching materials!

UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS, MEETINGS & DEADLINES

Sat., Sept. 1: Annual LPP & Monthly Permittee Meter Readings Due (details)

Mon., Sept. 2: Office closed for Labor Day

Thurs., Sept. 12: BSEACD Board Meeting

Thurs., Sept. 26: BSEACD Board Meeting

Tues., Oct. 1: Permittee Meter Readings Due (details)

Tues., Oct. 1: Teacher Wish List Requests Due (details)

Thurs., Oct. 10: BSEACD Board Meeting

Thurs., Oct. 24: BSEACD Board Meeting

Fri., Nov. 1: Permittee Meter Readings Due (details)

Mon., Nov. 11: Office Closed for Veterans Day

Thurs., Nov.. 14: BSEACD Board Meeting

Nov. 28-29: Office Closed for Thanksgiving