10.07.2015 Views

caldwell county regional water and wastewater planning study

caldwell county regional water and wastewater planning study

caldwell county regional water and wastewater planning study

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

flows without impacting environmental stream flows can be considered todevelop additional surface <strong>water</strong> supplies. There is no additional “run-of-theriver”surface <strong>water</strong> available for permitting in Caldwell County.Ground<strong>water</strong> that is suitable for use with minimal treatment is available inCaldwell County from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. Studies completed by thePlum Creek Conservation District (PCCD) estimate that about 23,000 acre-feet(ac-ft) of <strong>water</strong> per year is the sustainable yield from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquiferfor Caldwell County. However, ground<strong>water</strong> laws, developing ground<strong>water</strong>regulations <strong>and</strong> a limited amount of ground<strong>water</strong> are creating a permitting frenzyas potential users try to secure <strong>water</strong> for their needs. Water suppliers from outsidethe <strong>county</strong> <strong>and</strong> river basin have come to the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in Caldwell<strong>and</strong> Gonzales Counties as a source for inexpensive high quality <strong>water</strong>. There maybe little ground<strong>water</strong> remaining to be permitted for increasing local dem<strong>and</strong>sbecause the <strong>water</strong> has been permitted to others for use out of the <strong>county</strong> or riverbasin. According to PCCD, as of February 2009, 16,514 ac-ft per year ofground<strong>water</strong> withdrawals have been permitted in Caldwell County. Other largepermits are pending.Ground<strong>water</strong> in the Carrizo/Wilcox Aquifer in Gonzales County is also subject tointense permitting pressure. Water modeling studies in Gonzales County indicatethat a sustainable yield of about 13,600 ac-ft per year of <strong>water</strong> can be withdrawnon the east side of the <strong>county</strong> with a 100-foot drawdown <strong>and</strong> a sustainable yield ofabout 15,400 ac-ft of <strong>water</strong> can be withdrawn on the western side of the <strong>county</strong>.Permits totals of more than 15,400 ac-ft per year have been applied for on thewestern side of Gonzales County. The Gonzales County Underground WaterConservation District (GCUWCD) is refining its ground<strong>water</strong> management planfor Gonzales County <strong>and</strong> it appears that permits will be granted with terms <strong>and</strong>conditions that curtail use when drawdown limits are reached. Pending permitapplications are for the Hays/Caldwell Public Utility Agency <strong>and</strong> the San AntonioWater System.Klotz Associates Project No. 0972.000.000January 2010ES-2Caldwell County Regional Water <strong>and</strong> Waste<strong>water</strong> Planning StudyFinal Report

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!