NewsDrop-April-2025

GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

By: Roland Ruiz General Manager

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT: THE EAA GROUNDWATER WITHDRAWAL PERMITTING PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVEN.

GENERATIONS AGO, PEOPLE SETTLED HERE IN SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS DUE IN PART TO THE PLENTIFUL NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE REGION – PRIMARILY WATER.

TODAY,

as more and more people opt to make this part of Texas their home, we fret over possible impacts to the most critical of our water resources – the Edwards Aquifer. But rather than wringing our hands in worry, there are things we can do and, in fact, that we are doing, to ensure that the Edwards Aquifer remains a sustainable source of reliable, clean water in the face of an uncertain future. EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT: The EAA groundwater withdrawal permitting program has been proven. For nearly 30 years now, we have worked to perfect a regulatory framework that recognizes the groundwater ownership rights of Edward permit holders while

at the same time limiting use to ensure the region’s compliance with federal law mandating protections of the natural habitats of threatened and protected species in the two major spring systems – Comal and San Marcos springs. Maintaining this balance of regulatory stewardship supports not only ecolog ical purposes but benefits the overall viability of the aquifer as a reliable and resilient water supply for all users. INNOVATIVE ENHANCEMENT: What we know about the aquifer as a natural system significantly exceeds what was known when our statute, the EAA Act, was put into effect in 1996. As a result, we are better positioned now to educate and equip people to

be self-regulated stewards and in like manner to develop non-regulatory approaches such as nature-based land improvement programs that hold the promise of enhancing the quantity and quality of water recharging the aquifer well into the future. COLLABORATIVE PROTECTION: Among the things we’ve learned over decades of collecting and monitor ing aquifer data is that the Edwards remains substantively free of any nota ble impairment to its overall water quality. The aquifer is still the cleanest, naturally produced water available to the region. What we’ve also learned is

that maintaining this high level of quality is most probable through partner ship among industry, development, and environmental regulators where the region’s water conservation ethic connects us as a common interest for the wellbeing of our communities. Thus, it is clear that insofar as the EAA mission to manage, enhance and protect has safeguarded the Edwards Aquifer, it also has undeniably bene fited people. This includes those who have come to rely on it and appreci ate its value, and those of the next generation who have yet to come to such understanding but will, as long as we remain committed to the mission.

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