Hays County Water Reservation Plans

The Hays County Commissioners held a special meeting with public officials from neighboring counties last Monday, regarding regional water policy.

The Hays County Commissioners are working to find a way to ensure that there will be water in the future for the ever-growing population of the Central Texas area. County Judge Bert Cobb says that this was the hardest endeavor he has ever engaged in.

The county is currently contracted with the Forestar Real Estate company to draw a certain amount of water from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. Commissioner Ray Whisenant says the county is trying to use the contract to create the best opportunity for the reservation of water for Hays County citizens. The county is looking to partner with other counties to ensure having the best solution.

There is also discussion of joining the Lone Star Regional Water Authority. During the meeting, officials agreed said there is power in numbers. Whisenant says he is working to answer some of the questions about the authority for the county.

“There’s a number of questions. There’s the question of which entity or how would participating entities participate in ownership, debt responsibility, and revenue commitment.”
– Ray Whisenant

Whisenant says that he personally thinks that the Lone Star Regional Water Authority would become a facilitating entity for a regional water collaboration.

“Through their legislative authority they can operate anywhere under their authority in the state of Texas. So, I think that’s what gives some possible opportunities there. But again, the cost to get in is not minimal. The cost to possibly stay in is not minimal. And the responsibility that you require, consequently, possibly liability, is not minimal. So it needs to be approached very carefully; very cautiously.”
– Ray Whisenant

During the meeting, Cobb said a solution won’t come in a week, or a month, but will be an ongoing discussion.

Whisenant and Cobb have met with officials from the Lone Star Regional Water Authority and will recommend a next step to the court at their April 15 meeting.

Tara Pohlmeyer, KTSW News