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The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs met on May 10 to discuss two of the seven interim charges given to the committee surrounding Texas water. The committee addresses Texas water utility infrastructure and water supply by hearing from various state agencies and public testifiers. A link to the hearing can be found here.

 

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

Opening Comments

  • Perry – Meeting to discuss the 7 charges given by the lieutenant governor; will discuss 2 of 3 water charges today

 

Issue 1 – Water Utility Infrastructure: Evaluate the state’s water infrastructure. Study and make recommendations on options to upgrade and update water infrastructure to address deferred maintenance, disasters, and water loss.

 

Invited testimony – Water Utility Infrastructure

Jeff Walker, Water Development Board

Sam Hermitte, Water Development Board

Jessica Pena, Water Development Board

  • Water loss can be defined but apparent loss which is cutometer meter inaccuracy and real loss is a reported break or leak
  • 5 key bills impacting water loss; most recent in 2017 that required training for individuals submitting audits
  • 32,000 supplies required to submit an audit of which 740 have to submit annuals; half of the 740 are in rural areas
  • Median water loss most recently reported in 2020; 12-16 areas have increased in water loss since 2017 with 4 decreasing
  • Explanations for the increases might be the small number of audits reported, data issues, and 2020 data more accurately reflected water loss
  • Improving the data can be through the practice of validation study; validator determines accuracy of data
  • In 2020 there was an estimated 90 billion gallons of recoverable real water loss and 40 billion gallons of unrecoverable water loss
  • Perry – 16 million people in Uri that lost water due to loss of pressure; while better generation helps that main barrier was leaking pipes
  • How many people are monitoring water loss?
    • One person
  • We need to highlight the quality of work done with little help
  • Springer – In terms of unavoidable real loss, are we losing 30 gallons per connection loss per day and should the standard be 10 gallons
    • Depends on the region and on the connection; staff can get those numbers back to you
  • What is the loss in Wichita falls; are they above or below the state average
    • Can provide you with that data
  • Johnson – You compared the water loss from 2015-2020; are we comfortable in the accuracy of the data
    • The data is approved through validation, but the numbers are self-reported; however, there is audit reporting training required now that will ensure accuracy
  • Walker – Two basic programs for financing; state and federal
  • Federally we run a Drinking water fund and a clean water fund
  • Drinking water fund ensures we are following the federal government and not concerned with water loss; clean water fund is for sewage projects
  • In Texas we have a SWIFT fund; primary purpose is water conservation, new reservoirs
  • Also have EDAP; primary purpose to address inadequate or non-existing water systems
  • DFUND is for wastewater
  • TWDB programs are insufficient in funding the infrastructure needs of Texas to address water loss
  • Pena – IIJA focuses on 9 infrastructure bills that provide over $50 billion nationwide for state revolving funds; Texas’ first allotment is $616.6 million
  • This federal grant regulates the amount of money that has to be allocated to a portion of base programs, emerging contaminants, and rural communities
  • Also have to comply with the Buy America, Build America rule; all projects must be completed with American supplies
  • In the process of developing 2023 intended use plans
  • Perry – Large chunk is dedicated to lead removal; do you know how many places have lead pipes?
    • We don’t know; we need to do assessments which require funding so it’s a chicken and the egg situation
    • Fort Worth replaced all 30,000 meters and only found 1,100 pipes; its smaller than you think
  • Kolkhorst – What is the plan to get the word out to smaller counties?
    • We have monthly workshops and set aside time to talk to these communities
  • We have aging infrastructure and cities that don’t want to increase their rates; this is important work
  • Perry – Is it fair to say we can spend all the federal money but not in the buckets where it should be allocated?
    • Yes, the allocation makes it difficult to address state specific needs
  • Kolkhorst – What are we missing?
    • A federal program with little tape and a state program that prioritizes correctly
    • We have $2 billion of need
  • Perry – How many loans have the TWDB gotten paid back?
    • All of the counties have begun paying back
  • Kolkhorst – I love the Buy America program but there are so many waivers; can you explain these
    • Pena – It is going to put more restriction on the type of goods that can be used; makes it more difficult for the projects to get the supplies they need
  • Do you think we have the supplies needed for this?
    • Walker – We are not ready for it yet; if you already bid your project you might have to go back and adjust the bid because of BABA
    • It’s about a 20-25% increase in cost
  • Johnson – We are looking at pipelines that have lived way over their time; is there a better monitoring process so we don’t let this happen again in 50 years?
    • We need to assess these pipes more it is just impossible to do it all at once
  • Perry – Great job on your part; we will never get to 0% of water loss because of leaking pipes

 

Toby Baker, TCEQ

  • Going to discuss water loss in terms of Winter Storm Uri
  • In February of 2021 there were over 200 boil water notices due to loss of power and water
  • When local communities issue a boil water notice we are required to be notified in 24 hours
  • 90% of boil notices over the last 5 years due to low pressure highlighting poor infrastructure
  • When SB 3 was passed, and we began investigating URI we began implementing an emergency preparedness plan
  • Our team has come up with 13 recommendations from policy to statutory
  • Perry – Have you come across lead pipes in Texas
    • Only local utility would know that definitely; it’s not a large number as far as we know
  • Springer – You brought up boil notices; you identified one of the reasons is loss of power and do we know that amount
    • Not sure we have that but will check
  • Perry – We have been working on how to consolidate tax jurisdictions with the Water Development Board; might be a good idea to join with them
  • Is the quality of systems we are trying to treat staying the same or increasing in difficulty of treatment?
    • That’s a good question; certain areas of the state have more contaminant that is expensive to treat like arsenic
  • Gutierrez – TCEQ requires and EPP for a regulated PSI to ensure water stability; there doesn’t seem to be a compulsory requirement for gas or electricity
    • Every utility is different and not all utilities can have onsite generators; working closely with them and extending grace to provide stability
  • How is TCEQ helping with cost?
    • We don’t have much to do with cost
  • Perry – If you live somewhere where it freezes, would you grant a waiver for exceptions
    • It is a formula we use; during the freeze that would be more applicable to electric than water

Thomas Gleeson, PUC

  • In 2013 PUC regulated rates and service areas of utility; requires a lot of communication between PUC and TCEQ
  • Rates must be set at a level to treat, and store; rates are based off of customer records and size
  • 2 sessions ago bill was passed that allows utility to recover cost on new infrastructure
  • Cost of service is increasing with inflation and our commission is being mindful of these changes on customers
  • Eckhardt – Concerned about how MUDs affect rural communities that will keep taxing communities against its intended purpose
  • Perry – Rate case filings are intense; Are new rate increases coming from people building new infrastructure or is there consideration of the process for the task?
    • We step in when their capital rates and investments don’t match up
  • Is there an ability to rate increase without having to come to the PUC?
    • There are some pass-through proceedings and a few other options to give utilities flexibility; rate cases are for extreme situation
    • Created a division of utility outreach to focus on needs like this

 

Jason Knobloch, Texas Rural Water Association

  • We conducted a survey of community systems; used information from EPA needs survey
  • Had 115 surveys or 3.3% of Texas water systems
  • Survey indicated around 28 thousand miles of water line; applied to all 40 would be around 800,000 miles of community systems
  • 70% was over 20 years old and 80% were over 40 years old; it takes a various amount of money to fix these according to the area
  • We can up with $75-225 per foot depending on the land; rock takes more money than sand or clay
  • All water lines in the state would be around $332 billion but not all need to be replaced
  • Challenge in changing costs once a project has begun; also need to research bonds

 

Sarah Kirkle, Texas Water Conservation Association

  • Estimated need for clean water and drinking water is around $67.2 billion
  • The depreciation of water investment is leading to old infrastructure, water loss a poor flood infrastructure
  • Perry – How would a fee structure work per household?
    • Would have to ask other staff

 

Jeremy Mazur, Texas 2036

  • Asked public about their perception of upcoming weather; 3 out of 4 voters are concerned about dangerous weather
  • 7 out of 10 voters were concerned about drought; points to need for increase in water infrastructure
  • We are going to publish a report on Texas’ water system and its risk factors for drought; Texas was given a C-
  • IIJA provides Texas with over half a billion to provide Texas with clean water; up to 45% can we used for forgivable loans
  • The bill will allow small rural disadvantaged communities to increase their access to water; only 5 years to implement these funds
  • We want to develop a strategic implementation plan to implement IIJA funds
  • Perry – We need to have educational conversations with children about the value of water

 

Public Testimony- Water Utility Infrastructure

Danielle Goshen, National Wildlife Foundation

  • Pressing need to invest in stable infrastructure; green infrastructure can do this
  • Source water protection can reduce pollution and increase water funding

 

Charge 2 – Water Supply: Review and make recommendations to complete specific projects identified in the 2022 State Water Plan. In light of recent changes to the global economy, consider the current regulatory process regarding innovative technology solutions to water supply needs, such as marine desalination, and make recommendations for their improvement.

 

Invited Testimony – Water Supply

Temple McKinnon, Texas Water Development Board

  • Plans are based on conditions that would protect against a potential drought where supplies are the lowest and the use is the highest
  • In the event of a drought there needs to be 7.6 billion acres of water feet; estimated cost of $80 billion
  • Attached new reservoir recommendations and water supply strategies for the committee’s review
  • 9 groups recommended 39 projects: $3.9 billion
  • Also listed beneficiaries for each of the plans
  • Perry – We are planning as a state; what is the timeline for completion of new infrastructure
    • Around 20 years
  • Better than I have seen normally it is 30 years; we put in SB 1511 that did not get implemented because it wasn’t realistic
  • You get the rights to amend the plan throughout the 5-year period, right?
    • Yes
  • If we cannot use a reservoir for 20 areas of the state, we need to review our other options; are they actually achievable and what is the total cost
    • $80 billion
  • Kolkhorst – Good news on Allen Creek reservoir that has been in discussion since 1950; BRA has the land and is moving forward
  • Perry – Are farmers dependent on a large water supply going to be under supervision or completely shut down
    • We think regulating agriculture water usage will save 30% more water to help with water conservation
  • Springer – The $80 billion is for what?
    • All recommended plans
  • When were the reservoir plans counted in?
    • They were all finalized in the late summer of 2020
  • Do you factor in harm that is done to host community counties?
    • We do factor in environmental factors
  • I am talking about when taxes are raised for recourses that aren’t even usable to the neighboring counties
  • Perry – I want a plan that is realistic, and I am not going to wait another 5 years to realize we don’t need 10 of the reservoirs
  • Kolkhorst – More now than ever food security is important; when you export water you export life and community

 

Kim Nygren, TCEQ Water Availability Division

  • Responsible for processing water right permit applications, some simple some complex
  • New reservoirs are the most complicated
  • A new reservoir follows this process; pre-application meeting, administrative review, public notice, public participation, response to comments, contested case hearings, approval, or denial
  • We permitted 10; we have 4 in process
  • Perry – Do most applicants run concurrently?
    • Yes
  • Perry – So you’re looking at 5-7 years before a permit is granted?
    • Yes
  • Johnson – Does TCEQ make an evaluation of necessity?
    • In our permit review we look to see if it is consistent with the state water plan

 

Robert Sadlier, TCEQ Water Availability Division

  • Speaking on wastewater fermenting; takes a surplus of energy to separate reject water with a high concentration of salt and minerals with clean water
  • Texas does not have a desalination process for sea water because of high costs and concern with marine life
  • There are currently 4 wastewater permits in process that involve desalination
  • Springer – You talked about the separation of water; on the Wichita Falls basin we had to monitor this separation
    • I have not seen this; I will check with staff

 

Perry Fowler, Texas Water Infrastructure Network

  • Interesting time in Texas Water; in 2021 projects that were stable were impacted by COVID and construction shortages
  • Costs have increased from 20-100%, putting big financial risks on these projects
  • Emphasis on alternatives, early purchasing of materials, and some owners are eliminating types of products traditionally used
  • Estimates and numbers moving into the future are not valid anymore
  • IIJA is welcomed for the increase in funding, but we are concerned with the strings attached, specifically the domestic requirements for construction
  • Putting projects on the shelve makes it more expense; even 6 months makes a difference
  • Perry – Inflation is real because of money supply; they are temporal for 1-3 years, so the most immediate projects are the only ones that need to be developed

 

Kyle Frazier, Texas Desalination Association

  • 72% of Texas is experiencing drought; grape growers are impacted heavily
  • TWDB reported we should prepare for high heat and low participation; TWDB will need to open a reservoirs every 2 years to keep up with the 50-year plan
  • Urban planners had to expand their water supply; desalination is at 4% in Texas right now
  • Texas relies on water sources that are never really reliable
  • Desalination is uninterruptable and offers a competitive cost, all new water costs
  • Perry – We hear that it is too costly; when does it switch from its too expensive to, we have no chose
    • We are there now; we have picked all the low hanging fruit and now everything is more expensive
  • Perry – What is it going to take to educate the public on the coast?
    • The only time people take water drought seriously is when the tap doesn’t work
    • Desalination expands a community’s water portfolio options; takes good leadership to force this important question
  • Taylor – As the price of water goes up, eventually lines will cross; desal is going down, communities with desal will have the water they need and will take stress off the rest of the state
    • Highlights that water rates won’t go up as people expect, blended rates that draw from various sources and important to educate the public
  • Perry – When it gets to the bill, $.03/thousand gallons is a conversation point that helps; many discuss rising rates, but a lot of times we don’t have the data to say it’s cents
  • Perry – Your organization is great, largest desal
    • Lot of it is regionalization and getting communities to work together

 

Neil Deeds, INTERA

  • Speaking on aquifer storage and recovery (ASR), tech that allows storage during wet times that can be retrieved during dry times
  • Some of the aquifers in TX are being depleted through time, any tech that can slow or reverse is important
  • ASR is important primarily for drought resiliency or load balancing; Twin Oaks is an example of an important drought resiliency facility
  • Typically, peak summer demand is 2x average, need infrastructure to meet demand or need storage
  • Working right now with New Braunfels, ASR could improve resiliency and provide load balancing during summer; drilled pilot project to store water in brackish portion of Edwards Aquifer
  • Monitoring shows the ASR pilot has had no effect on Comal Springs or fresh Edwards Aquifer
  • Not appropriate for all areas, but could be a useful tool for substantial areas of the state
  • Appreciates legislature’s work in 2015 to overhaul ASR law

 

Richard Whiting, Seven Seas

  • Discussing P3 with the City of Alice, believe it to be a model desal project
  • Provides overview of Seven Seas and benefits of desal projects; risk-free water supply with guaranteed quality & rates
  • City of Alice project is the first P3 of its type in the state, financing obtained through TWDB, and Seven Seas brought capital; at end of contract term, City of Alice will have ownership of the plant and can maintain if it wishes to, Seven Seas only gets paid if it delivers the quantity of water at the quality standard specified
  • Typical municipal water pant has 85% availability, Seven Seas plant has 97%; matter of efficiency in operation of the plant
  • Seven Seas oversees design & construction, uses local resources where possible
  • Contracted with City of Alice for an overall price lower than what it would’ve cost to treat water
  • Perry – How many desal plants do you have?
    • 15 sea water desal, brackish in Alice is the first in the US
  • Perry – Do you have a comparison of pre-ESG days and today? What that adds to development cost?
    • ESG tends to be built in on water supply, Morgan Stanley directed Seven Seas to look at ESG and Seven Seas had already ticked the boxes

 

Michael Esparza, City of Alice

  • Provides overview of Alice, have a surface water plant, two wastewater plants; started a brackish desal project during previous drought, working with TWDB by 2018 to develop secondary uninterrupted water supply
  • During the process, Alice issued an RFP and received several bids, selected Seven Seas; allowed Alice to shift risk to private company and price was lower than other options, allowed Alice to take advantage of Seven Seas’ expertise
  • Currently have one agreement in place, working on a second with TWDB, and working on a discharge permit with TCEQ
  • TWDB has been a crucial partner, especially Team 6
  • Perry – 18k residents, what’s the cost to consumers?
    • To treat water, varies $3.85 to $4.05 per thousand for surface water sources
    • Desal model fits for Alice due to costs to transport, etc.
  • Perry – And you’re blending it?
    • Will be once the desal plant is completes
  • Perry – Price is half of what it was to get a barrel

 

Public Testimony – Water Supply

Jeff Lyde, Clay County Sheriff

  • Can’t find constituents in Clay County interested in creating another mudhole, City of Wichita Falls is dictating what Clay County is doing; Washington politics on the Little Wichita River that will claim thousands of acres of private property
  • Springer – Want to make sure everything is fully looked at, understanding law enforcement requirements with lakes is important
    • Policing 1.1k square miles with 11 deputies, Arrowhead requires many resources to police & get zero back from Wichita Falls who created it
  • Johnson – Washington involvement? No actual federal policy

 

Mike Campbell, Clay County Judge

  • Lake Ringo project can be taken off the state water plan, does not meet requirements & Wichita Falls can’t afford it; dangerous high-risk dam
  • Don’t want another Lake Arrowhead

 

Jennifer Walker, National Wildlife Federation

  • Water infrastructure and supply are closely linked, have been looking at reducing water loss; TX lost 500k acre feet during 2020, can be mitigated by leak detection and repair, monitoring, etc.
  • With sound policy, possible to close gaps of supply & demand be addressing water loss
  • Kolkhorst – On the 500k acre feet, only going to get 193k acre feet out of the water supply strategy for ASR; what would this cost to address?
    • Leakage and inaccurate metering
  • Kolkhorst – So we could gain 500k acre feet?
    • Can’t completely eliminate water loss, but there is a certain amount that is economically recoverable
  • Kolkhorst – And your upcoming report will look at that?
    • Absolutely
  • Kolkhorst – For ASR, but want to look at all solutions
  • Perry – Highlights if old meters aren’t recalibrated, then they lose accuracy; many homeowners aren’t paying accurate amounts & glad you reminded me of the meter conversation; large portion of water loss is recoverable and pretty low-hanging fruit

 

John DeGomez, Self

  • Purchased a parcel of land in Lee County, after Vista Ridge project started measuring groundwater; lost 24 feet as of October 2021 and an additional 9 feet over last 6 months
  • Kolkhorst – Is the groundwater district doing anything to help?
    • Lost Pines is coming out to measure the well
    • Texas Water Plan permitted Vista Ridge to go in, but others are more affected
  • Kolkhorst – Have you had to drop your well yet?
    • Not yet, neighbor has lost 70 feet since the well was drilled in 2011; those on the East side of 77 are even more impacted
  • Kolkhorst – Is yours a normal domestic well?
    • Not sure
  • Kolkhorst – Important to understand these issues; groundwater districts were designed to gauge impact on existing landowners
  • Perry – Science drives the DFC calculations, have pushed for consistency, but doesn’t get legislative traction; state has some consideration that groundwater districts take the effects into account
    • Thing that puzzles me is someone has my and my neighbor’s water and no one has written me a check
  • Perry – Speaking of a taking; allows property owners to take water pretty much at will, but the state can authorize entities to oversee; there is a process that is supposed to protect you, what is your saturation?
    • Not sure, haven’t lost any cattle
  • Perry – Your situation is what keeps me and other rural members up at night, impacts the value of the land and will be an ongoing conversation regarding the state’s oversight role and delegation to groundwater district
  • Kolkhorst – Lost Pines was designed to protect you, we almost passed bills that would’ve allowed SAWS to take the water they collect and sell it as a capitalistic venture; all for capitalism, but not for a government agency, something is not right about this
    • There are other people here that are even more impacted than I am
  • Perry – Water districts have an awesome responsibility to make sure the decisions they make today don’t impact property owners; at a water district level, you better get your act together and take this seriously
  • Eckhardt – With regard to the groundwater districts, those serving on the boards are serving with inadequate funding mechanisms & uneven state standards, as well as a rule of capture; do you feel you have the ability to defend your property right against competing rights?
    • Not really, but Lost Pines GCD is responsive and has good people; Lost Pines has measured wells
    • I think the GCDs have their parameters and restrictions and have done what they are able to
  • Eckhardt – Would you like the state to assist, is it your opinion that they don’t have the tools to protect you?
    • Not sure about that, testifying to my losses and my concerns
    • Samsung plant will be going in just North of us, also a water issue; important for the state, but water is important for Lee, Milam, etc. agriculture

 

William Rhodes, Self

  • Calculated well water remaining, expects to run out of water in 30 months; well has been remediated 80 feet already and can’t be lowered anymore
  • Heard that San Antonio doesn’t need Vista Ridge project, wants to know where water is going
  • Perry – Sen. Kolkhorst do you have an answer for him?
  • Kolkhorst – I don’t, but would like to know; are you in Carrizo?
    • Thinks he’s in Carrizo
  • Kolkhorst – So it’s Post Oak Savannah district policies that are impacting you?
    • Yes, DFCs from Post Oak Savannah
  • Kolkhorst – Had a solution in the past that was a larger look at these issues
  • Perry – Provides overview of water districts, designed to be ground up; haven’t ever voted a district out that didn’t have a public vote; communities need to elect these officials
  • Eckhardt – Part of the long-term water plan is to pump out the aquifer and move it to the west; have a private property right in groundwater, but surface water is property of the state
  • Eckhardt – Would you advocate that water of the state whether surface or ground should be water of the state and state should play a role in distribution?
    • Not sure, this goes to property rights
  • Eckhardt – Property rights are great, but only if you have the power to defend them; little guys are running dry

 

Andy Wier, Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense fund

  • Support marine desal and other innovative water supply plans as they will reduce needs to divert rural water to municipalities
  • Plans in the state water plan will lead to another 50k acre feet being pumped from Carrizo to go to Dallas
  • Water Code does not and GCDs were historically not supposed to consider impacts on domestic and livestock production; bill was passed out of the House but didn’t receive a hearing
  • Other sustainable production bills were not heard; Defense Fund urges committee to consider need for this legislation
  • Eckhardt – Regarding Post Oak Savannah, are you aware what the curtailment point is considering they determined the 50k acre feet has impacted these wells? How far away are we from that point?
    • Vista Ridge is 50k overall, 15k from Carrizo, 35k to Simsboro
    • First 6 months of Vista Ridge pumping was used to simulate Groundwater Availability Model; GAM is being followed in Simsboro, but Carrizo is doing much worse than predicted
    • Corelative rights exist, so could increase production in Simsboro if Carrizo is curtailed
    • If impact on domestic and livestock wells was looked at, permit could’ve been structured differently
    • Considering everything, looking at $1b in economic impacts in GMA 12
  • Perry – Needs to be a global conversation about regional impact & renumeration owners who didn’t sell the property
  • Kolkhorst – Is Simsboro at 40k now?
    • Not sure, you may be correct on that
  • Kolkhorst – Are most smaller ag wells in the Carrizo since its shallower?
    • Simsboro is twice the depth, cheaper for landowners to drill in the Carrizo
  • Perry and Degomez discuss property rights and taking
  • Perry – Water has been taken, conversation to be had on royalties, moving water from one place to another, and compensation; recent bills wouldn’t have fixed it
    • Weir – Looking at legislation in the future, there are 140 projects in planning to move water from rural communities
  • Perry – There are things we can look at, if it is going to happen, then we ought to make sure economic value is moving with it

 

Deborah Clark, Clay County Rancher, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

  • Many reasons to oppose building Lake Ringgold in the area, 40k acres of private property and ranchland will be impacted
  • City of Wichita Falls’ numbers clearly indicate there is adequate water supply; Wichita Falls used an arbitrary analysis method
  • Asking committee to take Lake Ringgold out of the state water plan, doesn’t address needs of the community
  • Springer – One of the things I’d like more details on is how Wichita Falls mentioned selling water from the new project while they’re taking land from neighboring counties and property owners; need to look at how we value this & if there is a taking then how is it properly done
  • Springer – Those who aren’t getting the benefit are now asked to pay for the infrastructure via property taxes; also need to look at this aspect in dredging, underground storage, etc. and weigh that with the taking of property

 

Don Hardy, Landowner

  • Grew up on ranch in San Antonio; upset with San Antonio’s purchase of surplus of waters
  • Asks committee to put brakes on water brand
  • Rural Texans are being depleted of water

 

Nancy McKee, Landowner

  • In the middle of Aquaphor drawdowns; running out of water in rural Texas
  • Water level has dropped 80 feet, lowered pump 100 feet; this is the result of one project
  • Take into consideration of citizens as more pumping will occur

 

Steve Walden, American Water Works Association

  • Water professional on the American Water Works Association
  • People are stuck in the mud; made it our mission to fix a few small systems
  • Many of these connects are small; obtainable to help these individuals
  • Perry – Citizens of Lubbock need to be consulted because they have invested millions into a stable water source
  • Eckhardt – Do you see impediments to counties stepping in to take over regional efforts?
    • Committee could clarify that municipal, river, and county authorities can be involved in water consolidation
    • Every place is local and unique; counties should have a role
  • Regional efforts cannot pull down federal funds without state participation and getting the state to participate is difficult
    • Volunteer group of 40 that raise money to fund Communities Unlimited and the 200 small rural counties

 

James Lee Murphy, Desalination Specialists

  • Support marine desalination in the Gulf Coast; proven tech that it is superior to ground water
  • Lack a regional approach to water supply

 

Alan Pyle, CEO of WaterFleet

  • Workers that live on oil site have no access to clean water in rural areas
  • My services have changed the oil and gas field; want to use it in areas where there are regular boil notices or in case of an emergency
  • TCEQ cannot recognize the value of my systems; maybe they need legislative direction

 

Lauren Ice, Attorney for Umhaill Valley Ranch

  • Ranch owner opposed to the Wrigley water reservoir; city operates off of two reservoirs both are susceptible to drought
  • One of the 40 families that will be affected by this project; ranchers are practicing regenerative farming to feed our state
  • Project would undermine these efforts
  • Perry – Is it a $400 million project?
    • Yes
  • How much of it is landowner buy out?
    • They only have 6,000 acres of city land and I do not know how much they are buying out for

 

Kermit Heaton, Landowner

  • Landowner in Bastrop County; Need to use water near us and not ship it across the state
  • Water should not be able to be bought out by the rich; need to take the right route not the easiest