The most recent of our concerns over water in Travis County is whether our PRESENT supply will meet our FUTURE demand.  The City of Austin recently came to agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to construct a huge intake out of Lake Travis.  The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) is moving forward for another major intake out of Lake Travis. This action will move water out of the Colorado River watershed to supply the rapidly growing areas of Leander, Cedar Park and Round Rock. 

Meanwhile, more and more subdivisions are being built in Precinct 3 – on all sides of Lake Travis.  We have been fortunate to enjoy the present water supply and recreational use of the Highland Lakes because of decisions made over 70 years ago by our forward-thinking forefathers, but our time is running out.

The red flag is up for future water supplies!  According to its own modeling based on the droughts-of-record, LCRA - who is mandated by the Legislature to sell water – has already reached a critical point in determining how much water is yet available for sale.  Furthermore, not enough is actually being done to ensure that future generations are being considered in water planning.  Water is critical for growth.  Its availability can drive it and sustain it, or it can stop it.

Then there is the issue of ground water (well water).  In order to get subdivision approval at the County, developers must demonstrate that they have a reliable water supply source.  Most subdivisions use surface water (like LCRA water) but many subdivisions have been (and are continuing to be) approved with well water as a supply source.  During a recent extended drought, the Deer Creek Ranch subdivision located off US 290 West ran out of water.  Other newer subdivisions, like West Cypress Hills off SH 71 West, whose water supply comes from wells, have yet to experience a severe drought.  Nevertheless, one certainty remains -- the more wells created over an aquifer, the more that water source is reduced. 

Where are we headed?  If we look at what’s happened in some other fast-urbanizing, water-starved regions, the writing is BOLD and it’s on OUR wall.  Estimates indicate that Atlanta, whose primary water source is Lake Lanier, came within 90 days of running out of water in the severe drought of 2007.  California has been water-strapped for decades and most recently, the state has denied approvals for subdivisions that could not demonstrate a 20-year water supply. 

So what are we to do?  How do we avoid these same predicaments?  Dealing with our water challenges requires forward-thinking and creative and collaborative efforts among many jurisdictional entities.  LCRA sells the water.  Cities and counties determine where and how water is used and conserved and to a certain extent, protected.  How we grow not only impacts how much water we use, but also where it is used.  TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) is charged with enforcing regulations on water quality.  There are numerous State and local Boards, as well as jurisdictions (such as the Texas Water Development Board and ground water districts, etc.) that also have a say-so in water protection and water availability decisions and policy.  To put it simply – we are too fragmented when it comes down to long-term planning for water.  

Travis County Precinct 3 is the highest growth area in the county that continues to look to both groundwater and Lake Travis for its water sources.  I believe it is the responsibility of the County Commissioner for this precinct to take the lead in collaborative efforts to find solutions that are workable for all stakeholders.

As your County Commissioner for Precinct 3, I promise to take the lead for long-term water supply solutions.  It is no longer feasible to just continue to grow irresponsibly.  Our current water supplies cannot sustain it.  We must vote to change our current direction and policies to insure both our future quality of life and future capacity for growth and economic vitality.  Together we can do this right!