The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has taken a step back from the most severe drought stage – Stage IV – and after a brief stint in Stage III, has declared the area to be at Stage II Alarm Drought, the least severe stage of drought. But aquifer watchers know that a hot, dry summer […]
Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
An entity charged with oversight of a portion the Edwards Aquifer. Groundwater Conservation Districts are established through Texas State legislative approval, under a state law first approved in the 1950s. According to its web site, the BSEACD’s charge is “to conserve, protect, and enhance the groundwater resources in its jurisdictional area.”
Posted inWater
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District installing two monitoring wells at Garrison and Zilker parks
This month, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will install two new scientific monitoring wells in Garrison and Zilker parks. The new wells will be used to collect information about Edwards Aquifer water level and quality, as well as further the city’s federally mandated task of protecting the health of the endangered Barton Springs and […]
Posted inWater
Aquifer district expecting unprecedented drought declaration
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District says that flow from Barton Springs is near the level that would require the district to declare it has reached Stage IV Exceptional Drought. As the district reports, “crossing into Stage IV drought status would result in significant pumping restrictions and permanent reclassification for certain District permittees.” Although the […]
Posted inAustin
Austin loses advocate for the environment and people
Jack Goodman, who worked to convince the Texas Legislature to create a conservation district to help protect Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer and then served on that district’s board for 22 years, died Aug. 24 after a lengthy illness. He was 76. His wife, former Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman, told […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission recommends denial of city water services to entertainment complex
Plans to develop 70 acres adjacent to the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve into a mega entertainment complex went off course last night when the Environmental Commission unanimously voted to recommend denying the request to extend water and wastewater service to the area. The yet-to-be-constructed Violet Crown Amphitheater is centered around a venue that could host a […]
Posted inElections
Williams ends Larsen’s tenure at aquifer district
In her first race for office, Christy Williams defeated longtime Board Member Bob Larsen, winning a seat on the board of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. Williams, who serves on the city’s Water and Wastewater Commission and is an environmental scientist by occupation, won the seat with nearly 76 percent of the vote. Williams […]
Posted inElections
Aquifer conservation district: Larsen ‘still not finished,’ Williams ready to start
“After 18 years I’m still not finished,” proclaims Robert (Bob) Larsen, who is running for reelection to the board of directors of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District in November. Challenging Larsen for the Precinct 4 seat is Christy Williams, a water and wastewater consultant who told the Austin Monitor, “I do think it’s time […]
Posted inWater
Conservation district denies rehearing request on Needmore well permit
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District denied a request at its Dec. 12 meeting from the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association for a rehearing of the Needmore Water LLC permit. In July, the district’s board of directors granted the Needmore permit to pump over 289 million gallons per year from the Trinity Aquifer. At the […]
Posted inWater
Hays and Travis counties prioritize aquifer conservation
The Trinity Aquifer is the primary groundwater supply for Hill Country residents in both Hays and Travis counties. But as a natural resource, its freshwater supply is limited, even as populations continue to grow. Already, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is reporting that aquifer storage is strained. Continued groundwater pumping has reduced the spring […]
Posted inWater
Permit granted for annual extraction of 289 million gallons from Trinity Aquifer
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District granted a permit to Needmore Water LLC on Monday evening to pump up to 289,080,000 gallons of water per year from the Trinity Aquifer. According to the applicant, the water will be used for wildlife management and agricultural purposes on Needmore River Ranch, a 5,000-acre property owned by Greg […]
Posted inRoads
SH 45 SW continues to move forward
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors was informed of various updates to State Highway 45 Southwest at its regular meeting May 25. The high-profile transportation project, which hopes to improve mobility for the northern Hays and southern Travis county areas, is a collaborative effort between the Texas Department of Transportation, Central Texas […]
Posted inWater
Dripping Springs plans effluent reuse but wants discharge permit
The city of Dripping Springs, facing an array of opponents to its plan to discharge nearly 1 million gallons per day of treated effluent into Onion Creek, has come up with a proposal to reuse the treated wastewater and is asking the opponents to help pay for the plan. If the opponents agree, landowners and […]