Southwest Texas Water Resources Offers Testimony on Responsible Approach to Manage and Protect Edwards Aquifer
San Antonio, TX, April 18, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Rodney T. Smith, Ph.D., President of the Board of Managers of Southwest Texas Water Resources, LP (STWR) testified today before the Texas House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee at the State Capitol. Rod Smith discussed with the Committee his team’s approach to managing the aquifer -- the proposed Uvalde Water Project. The privately funded effort combines environmental and endangered species protection, economic development plans, and ensures that the water needs of the region are not compromised.
“The Uvalde Water Project is a balanced approach that, when teamed with conservation efforts, respects the region’s environment and agricultural heritage, while also delivering a powerful economic boost to a region that is experiencing tremendous growth,” Smith said. “The Project will provide the Edwards Aquifer region with a more reliable source of water by ensuring that the San Antonio pool and the Uvalde Pool of the aquifer are utilized in a manner that benefits the entire region. As San Antonio water usage increases, we need to ensure that proper management of the aquifer protects the San Marcos and Comal springs and that is what the Uvalde Water Project will do.”
The Uvalde Water Project involves the creation of a water company based in Uvalde County to develop, finance and operate a well field there and a regional water pipeline from Uvalde County to Bexar County. Well field locations have been selected to avoid the recharge zone, risk of water contamination from both known sources and surface activities, or interfere with other pumpers in the Uvalde Pool. Alternative routes for the regional pipeline have been identified that avoid habitat of listed endangered species, known and potential cultural resource sites, center pivot locations, and population centers, as well as other technical factors to assure a well-designed and reliable project.
“The Uvalde Water Project protects springflows and offers a cost-effective solution to ensure superior water supply reliability,” Smith said. “Aside from the economic benefits of the project, we believe that an effective habitat conservation plan must recognize that the location of pumping in the Edwards Aquifer has environmental consequences, and the Uvalde Water Project would serve as a solution to this concern.”
Rodney Smith made a similar presentation in February to the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP). Since the Uvalde Water Project would require a change in Texas law, the Texas Legislature itself could make the changes in law to take advantage of the projects benefits. Additionally, the EARIP could consider recommending that the Texas Legislature take notice of the project as a resource management tool during its ongoing deliberations.
About Southwest Texas Water Resources: Southwest Texas Water Resources (STWR) is a private business founded to protect and develop water resources across the United States to meet growing municipal needs for reliable and affordable water supplies consistent with environmental stewardship. Visit www.uvaldewaterproject.com for additional information.
Contact: Luis Saenz
Saenz.LuisJ@gmail.com
(512) 472-1489
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“The Uvalde Water Project is a balanced approach that, when teamed with conservation efforts, respects the region’s environment and agricultural heritage, while also delivering a powerful economic boost to a region that is experiencing tremendous growth,” Smith said. “The Project will provide the Edwards Aquifer region with a more reliable source of water by ensuring that the San Antonio pool and the Uvalde Pool of the aquifer are utilized in a manner that benefits the entire region. As San Antonio water usage increases, we need to ensure that proper management of the aquifer protects the San Marcos and Comal springs and that is what the Uvalde Water Project will do.”
The Uvalde Water Project involves the creation of a water company based in Uvalde County to develop, finance and operate a well field there and a regional water pipeline from Uvalde County to Bexar County. Well field locations have been selected to avoid the recharge zone, risk of water contamination from both known sources and surface activities, or interfere with other pumpers in the Uvalde Pool. Alternative routes for the regional pipeline have been identified that avoid habitat of listed endangered species, known and potential cultural resource sites, center pivot locations, and population centers, as well as other technical factors to assure a well-designed and reliable project.
“The Uvalde Water Project protects springflows and offers a cost-effective solution to ensure superior water supply reliability,” Smith said. “Aside from the economic benefits of the project, we believe that an effective habitat conservation plan must recognize that the location of pumping in the Edwards Aquifer has environmental consequences, and the Uvalde Water Project would serve as a solution to this concern.”
Rodney Smith made a similar presentation in February to the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP). Since the Uvalde Water Project would require a change in Texas law, the Texas Legislature itself could make the changes in law to take advantage of the projects benefits. Additionally, the EARIP could consider recommending that the Texas Legislature take notice of the project as a resource management tool during its ongoing deliberations.
About Southwest Texas Water Resources: Southwest Texas Water Resources (STWR) is a private business founded to protect and develop water resources across the United States to meet growing municipal needs for reliable and affordable water supplies consistent with environmental stewardship. Visit www.uvaldewaterproject.com for additional information.
Contact: Luis Saenz
Saenz.LuisJ@gmail.com
(512) 472-1489
###
Contact
STRW
Luis Saenz
512-472-1489
Luis Saenz
512-472-1489
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