NewsDrop-June-2024

ISSUE 3 - JUNE 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

W A T C H EAA BOARD MEETING ON FACEBOOK LIVE:

AQUIFER UPDATE

EAA GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

FEATURE STORY AQUIFER MANAGEMENT SERVICES THEN AND NOW The Aquifer Management Services (AMS) Division of the EAA is responsible for data management, aquifer research, modeling, and aquifer sustainability initiatives.

MCFADIN FARMS VISIT” CUCUMBERS: WHAT’S THE DILL? Cucumbers originated in Asia and through trade and migration...

MANAGE. ENHANCE. PROTECT. These three words - simple, yet complex in their depth and breadth of meaning -- have depicted our mission for nearly 30 years.

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An aquifer conditions update is reported every month at the EAA board meeting to inform board members and the public about the status of the J-17 Index Well, J-27 Index Well, the Comal Springs

and the San Marcos Springs springflows.

These index wells and springs are indicators of the health of the aquifer and critical to drought management.

HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN COLLABORATION FOR CONSERVATION Balancing habitat restoration and water resources.

EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK ON CONSERVATION

EDUCATION OUTREACH CENTER & EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY THE EVOLUTION OF AQUIFER EDUCATION & OUTREACH Since 1996, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) has been a beacon of environmental education and outreach.

EASEMENTS ACROSS THE EDWARDS AQUIFER REGION A major milestone in the EAA’s history and an important aspect to fulfilling part of the EAA mission of protecting and enhancing the Edwards Aquifer system.

The EAA board meeting takes place every second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. You can watch the meetings on Facebook Live or click the link below:

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https://edwardsaquifer.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

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GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

By: Roland Ruiz General Manager

THESE THREE WORDS - SIMPLE, YET COMPLEX IN THEIR DEPTH AND BREADTH OF MEANING -- HAVE DEPICTED OUR MISSION FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS. MANAGE. ENHANCE. PROTECT.

CLEARLY, THESE WORDS REMAIN AS RELEVANT TO OUR FUTURE AS THEY ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR PAST. THEY GIVE BOTH STABILITY AND SYMMETRY TO A WELL-ESTABLISHED BUT EVOLVING MISSION TO MANAGE, ENHANCE AND PROTECT THE EDWARDS AQUIFER SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE EMBRACE THE WORK BEFORE US AS A COMMUNITY AND DO IT TOGETHER.

PROTECT. The word protect most directly takes aim

ENHANCE. This word stems from the longstanding idea that we can enhance the recharge of the Edwards Aquifer to bolster the quantity and safeguard the quality of water in the aquifer. This includes engineered structures such as recharge dams as well as nature-based methods including land conservation and soil restoration practices to improve the water-holding capacity of lands in the watershed of the aquifer. We also enhance by building greater understanding and appreci ation of the aquifer among the public through education and outreach programming. These non-regulatory approaches, when matched with regulatory management practices, strengthen the overall resilience of the aquifer over time.

at preserving the quality of water in the aquifer by preventing its pollution. This includes protective standards for well construction, which also incor porates efforts to identify and properly close dete riorated or abandoned wells that serve as potential conduits for contaminants from the surface to reach the aquifer water table. There are also rules requiring strict measures that complement state requirements for storing regulated substances on the recharge zone to the aquifer and report ing spills when they occur. Efforts to protect also encompass non-regulatory methods. Examples include the deployment of technology and training for first responders who tend to fires and/or spills of hazardous materials on the recharge zone, and collaboration with other agencies to monitor and report critical issues as they arise.

MANAGE. At its most plain interpretation, to manage speaks to regulating use of the aquifer through rules that require wells to be metered, water to be allocated by permits, and pumping to be restricted during droughts. However, the con cept of manage has also come to include other non-regulatory approaches that serve as tools to help sustain the aquifer. These include conser vation grants, market-based conservation and incentivized forbearance programs, and cloud seeding efforts to help rain clouds produce more water, to name a few.

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AQUIFER MANAGEMENT SERVICES (AMS) DIVISION OF THE EAA

By: Alyssa Balzen , EAA Geoscientist II THEN & NOW ADVANCING AQUIFER MANAGEMENT SERVICES 28 YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER

A plethora of hydrologic data is collected, including aquifer levels, streamflow, rainfall (starting in 1998), weather parameters (starting in 2014), and soil moisture (starting in 2022). 141 of 150 total sites are actively monitored with telemetry. Continuous data, including depth to water, water temperature, and specific conductivity, are collected for 61 groundwater wells; 63 rain gauges collect hourly and one-minute increment rainfall data; 18 weather stations monitor air pressure, air tempera ture, relative humidity, solar radiation, dewpoint, wind average speed, maximum wind speed, wind direc tion and soil moisture sensors where available; and 7 spring/stream sites measuring stream gage height, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH and turbidity. The total amount of data collected has increased exponentially since the inception of the EAA (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Total number of measurements collected by Data Management over time (figure/data provided by Bryan Anderson).

The Aquifer Management Services Division (AMS) of the EAA is responsible for data management, aquifer research, modeling, and aquifer sustainability initiatives. Over the past 28 years, AMS programs and the staff members implementing those programs have achieved several significant milestones and have adapted to meet new challenges. This article chronicles the evolution of these program areas from “then”, the EAA’s formal inception in 1996, to “now” in 2024 as AMS works to support the Next Generation concept— the EAA’s strategy to manage, enhance, and protect the aquifer now and for future generations.

AQUIFER SCIENCE RESEARCH & MODELING

Then: Aquifer responses were estimated using GWSIM (a numeric groundwater flow model) and projections under likelihood climatic conditions were generated using statistical analyses. Water samples were collected from springs, wells, and surface waters on a limited scale (Figure 4). The EAA relied on the USGS and Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to collect and provide data for many samples. A basic water quality analysis, including some organic compounds, was conducted for water samples, and detection limits ranged in parts per million.

DATA MANAGEMENT

Photo 4. Matt Schwarz samples the San Marcos Springs-Hotel with San Antonio Express News and Aquifer Science intern Jake in 2014.

Now: To enhance our understanding, the EAA worked with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and others to develop the MODFLOW model in 2004, which is a common computer model to simulate groundwa ter flow through aquifers. MODFLOW was further revised in 2017 to produce the version we use today. The amount of data that informed the develop ment of the MODFLOW model was significantly greater than was available for GWSIM, in large part due to EAA data collection and funding of research to characterize the aquifer. Future groundwater levels and spring flow under projected climatic condi tions are predicted using an EAA-revised version of MODFLOW, machine learning models, and climate data from Global Climate Models. The EAA

is investigating multiple modeling approaches, including machine learn ing, to enhance our understanding of the system. Machine learning models are used to fill in, curate and analyze data. Enhanced modeling capabilities allow for increased accuracy and reliability on highly nonlinear and multivar iate hydroclimatic problems and enables us to analyze the intensity, dura tion, and frequency of future potential hydrological droughts, effectiveness of existing conservation measures, aquifer recharge dynamics, groundwater levels, and spring flow patterns under various climate scenarios projected up to the year 2100, which would have been exceedingly challenging, if not unattainable, using previous approaches. The EAA is investigating multiple modeling approaches, including machine learning, to enhance our understanding of the system.

Figure 1. J-17 Well Chart Recorder.

Figure 2. Data logger and telemetry transmission equipment at a continuously monitored EAA well.

Then: When the EAA was formed in the mid-1990s, continuous collection of well water levels was accomplished through chart recorder devices (Figure 1), which resemble seismographs for measuring earthquakes. Chart recorders consist of a floating weight placed into the well, attached to a pul ley system, and then hooked up to the chart recorder. As the weight moves up and down with water level changes, the needle on the chart recorder moves in tandem, recording water levels on paper, which then must be converted into a usable data format. These recorders require frequent site visits for maintenance.

Now: Pressure transducers installed at a fixed depth in a well measure pressure in the water column above the transducer (Figure 2). Fluid pres sure is converted into an electrical signal and sent to a data logger, then transmitted via cellular service to EAA servers. Continuous water level data is collected in fifteen-minute intervals. Pressure transducers reduce maintenance labor and potential transcription errors.

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AQUIFER MANAGEMENT SERVICES (AMS) DIVISION OF THE EAA

By: Alyssa Balzen , EAA Geoscientist II

The EAA collects and assesses all water quality data, in addition to sam pling for the TWDB and supplementing analyses. Water quality sampling procedures and protocols have changed, and field parameters collected are the same, but multi-parameter sondes collecting the data have gotten smaller, lighter, and more accurate, with Bluetooth capabilities for data transfer, with easier maintenance. Water samples are collected from springs and wells all over the region (Figure 5 & 6), and the number of water qual ity analytes sampled for has increased by eightfold, with detection limits in parts per billion or parts per trillion. These analytes include a much broader range of ionic constituents, including anions, cations, trace elements and Figure 5. Gizelle Luevano, Lead Hydrologic Data Coordinator, and Faith Goddard, University of Texas San Antonio STEM Graduate Student, collecting water quality samples from Comal Springs 7, New Braunfels, Texas.

Figure 6. Alyssa Balzen samples a well in New Braunfels, Texas.

isotopes, along with potential emerging contaminants such as PFAS and microplastics.

Water samples are also collected as part of specific research projects in areas that affect the aquifer, such as at the Field Research Park (FRP), a 151-acre property owned by the EAA. Samples are collected at Trinity Aquifer wells at the FRP to gain insight into recharge and inter-aquifer flow characteristics, and are tested for major cations, anions, trace metals, dissolved inorganic carbon, total suspended solids/total dissolved solids, alkalinity, PFAS, total coliform, E. coli, and stable isotopes.

Figure 9. Emily Thompson uses a cell phone to navigate an easement property.

Figure 10. Thomas Marsalia using a cell phone to navigate an easement.

Applications on cell phones and handheld devices are used to access highly detailed GIS-based maps, of easements showing current GPS location, specific points, property information, and marked roads (Figure 9). Land

management techniques promoting aquifer recharge and sustainability are tested at the FRP for potential use on easement properties, and new conser vation easements are sought out to increase protections over the aquifer.

AQUIFER SUSTAINABILITY

NEXT GENERATION The FRP is key to the EAA’s Next Generation initiative of ensuring the Edwards Aquifer is sustainable for future generations. Through modeling, conservation practices, and contaminant tracking, we can implement and identify techniques at the FRP that can be applied across the region for the benefit of the aquifer.

Figure 8. Total number of acres conserved through EAA conservation easements over time.

Figure 7. Using a map to navigate a conservation easement property.

Taylor Bruecher, Geoscientist II

Then: The City of San Antonio’s Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP) was created when San Antonio voters supported a one-eighth-cent sales tax in 2000—and subsequently renewed in 2005, 2010, and 2015— to protect land over the Recharge and Contributing Zones of the Edwards Aquifer. One conservation easement was acquired by the EAA and San Anto nio Water System before the EAPP began, on the original 4,700 acres of Government Canyon State Natural Area.

Now: Easement inspections are conducted on over 170,000 acres of land on more than 140 properties protected by EAPP conservation easements (Figure 8).

Easement inspections were completed using paper maps, a compass, and a camera to note specific points on a property for comparison year to year. Handheld GPS devices paired with paper maps and a digital camera came next, but the GPS was not particularly accurate because it connected to fewer satellites, so topographic maps, creeks, and fence lines were used for navigation (Figure 7).

Special thanks to Hakan Basagaoglu, Bryan Anderson, and Thomas Marsalia for providing their expertise and assistance on this article.

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CUCUMBERS: WHAT’S THE DILL?

By: Isabel Martinez EAA Senior Permit & Conservation Coordinator

AGRICULTURE OUT WEST

From sowing seeds to cultivating. See the process .

Cajun Chef, and other food processors throughout the United States.

Pickling cucumber seeds are planted one by one using a planter tractor and look like the seeds you find inside a cucumber. Once the seeds have ger minated, the plants are fertilized and treated to protect them from pests that would otherwise ruin the crop. To ensure a plentiful crop, bee boxes are brought onto the property so that the bees can pol linate the cucumbers as they flower. The pickling cucumbers typically grow for about six weeks and once the fruit has reached the desired length, they then begin the harvest. Once harvested, the pickling cucumbers are sifted and sorted for the trip to their final destination; Best Maid Pickle Factory” to “des tinations, which includes Best Maid Pickle Factory,

The state of Texas produces approximately 3% of the United States’ cucumbers, averaging a little over 26,000 tons and is the 3rd largest state based on annual cucumber acres. Cucumbers grown in the EAA region are typically planted during the spring or fall months due to adequate sunlight and toler able temperatures, and they require approximately one inch of water a week. Pickling cucumbers are a popular type of cucumber grown in the western part of our region. Pickling cucumbers are specific types of cucumbers that are cultivated for the pickling pro cess. The process of pickling cucumbers allows the fruit to preserve well in solutions of water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and various spices.

EAA staff had the opportunity to visit a farm west of Uvalde, Texas where pickling cucumbers are regularly planted and are shipped out of town to become Best Maid pickles. A little over six tons of cucumbers from the EAA region become Best Maid whole pickles, hamburger slices, and relish. Witnessing the work that goes into the operation, from planting to harvesting, allows a better under standing and appreciation of the farming profession and the importance of effective water management.

Hear from Nathan of McFadin Farms Inc. as he shares how he runs his family’s 3,500 acre farm by utilizing water saving practices and equipment to ensure a successful harvest of his crops.

Cucumbers are related to big leaf vine plants such as pumpkins, melons, and various squash. The higher water content of cucumbers separates it from typical squash, such as the zucchini. The edible portion of the cucumber plant grows from the flowers on the plant’s vine thus classifying them, botanically, as fruit. They also have seeds in the middle of their flesh which is another char acteristic of fruit. Popular opinion considers the cucumber as a vegetable due to the mild taste of its flesh, slightly bitter skin, and crisp texture as well as its dexterity in savory dishes such as soups, salads, and entrees.

Cucumbers are one of the oldest food crops in the world. Cucumbers originated in Asia and, through trade and migration, became incorporated into European cuisine which then resulted in their introduction to the Americas.

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EAHCP | COLLABORATION FOR CONSERVATION

By: Olivia Lopez , Habitat Conservation Coordinator

New bilingual signage now located along the San Marcos River and Landa Lake in New Braunfels.

San Marcos River - before restoration (2013).

San Marcos River - after restoration (2024).

Once upon a time, the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) was just a concept, a vision for balancing the needs of threatened and endangered species and water resources within the delicate ecosystem of the Edwards Aquifer and the Comal and San Marcos Springs’ systems. Back then, it took years to develop and approve the long-term plan for competing interests: urban development, recreation, and conservation.

San Marcos River - Before construction of permanent access points for recreation and bank stabilization (2013).

San Marcos River - after construction of permanent access points for recreation and bank stabilization (2024).

of protecting environmentally sensitive areas. And innovative water manage ment strategies like Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) and the Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option (VISPO) have safeguarded adequate springflow during drought conditions. But the work is far from over. Climate change looms as a new threat, bring ing with it unpredictable weather patterns and increasing pressure on water resources. The EAHCP and accompanying Incidental Take Permit authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently undergoing a permit renewal

process. The renewed conservation strategy will work to incorporate lessons learned and impacts from climate change for the next 30 years. Armed with the successes of the EAHCP and a commitment to collaboration, the threat ened and endangered species that depend on the Edwards Aquifer face the future with optimism. The EAHCP Stakeholders now know that by working together, they can continue to protect this precious ecosystem for generations to come.

After nearly 12.5 years of implementation of the 15-year plan, the EAHCP has changed the landscape of the Comal and San Marcos Rivers that origi nate from the Edwards Aquifer. For example, non-native elephant ear plants no longer dominate the banks of the San Marcos River. Eroded riparian zones along the Comal River spring runs are now blooming with native vegetation. Parking lots and drainage ditches now feature innovative bioretention basins to filter out pollution from stormwater before it enters endangered species’ habitat. Signage along the San Marcos and Comal Rivers are installed in key recreation areas to share the message of the EAHCP and the importance

Now, the EAHCP stands as a testament to collaboration and innovation. Years of negotiation, coordination, and scientific research have led to a comprehensive plan that protects the unique species that call the Edwards Aquifer and springs systems home while providing water resources for millions of people in South Central Texas. Before the implementation of the EAHCP, the region’s iconic species like the endangered Texas blind salamander and endangered Texas wild-rice were facing uncertain futures, their habitats threatened by erosion, encroachment of invasive, non-native aquatic vegetation, and declining water levels. Now, these species have a fighting chance.

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DISCHINGER-BREHMER CONSERVATION EASEMENT ACQUISITION

By: Thomas Marsalia , EAA Aquifer Sustainability Manager

Total protected acres through conservation programs in the Edwards Aquifer region by county. (As of October 2023)

The 1,200-acre property known as the Dischinger-Brehmer Ranch has been in the owners’ family since 1851 and is now an EAC conser vation easement. This brings the total area of land the EAA and EAC have contributed to conserving to over 8,200 acres. Through an interlocal agreement with the City of San Antonio, EAA staff also conduct monitoring on over 182,000 acres of land held in the City’s Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. ACROSS THE EDWARDS AQUIFER REGION In 2021, the Edwards Aquifer Authority and Microsoft initiated the process of securing a conservation easement located in Comal County on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone that was finalized in 2024 and is held by the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy. AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK ON CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

Centrally located in Comal County, the conservation easement will protect the natural conditions of the property such as karst features, springs, streams and diverse vegetation by limiting development that can occur on the prop erty, which will ensure the quality and quantity of recharge contributed to the aquifer on the ranch will be maintained to historic levels.

This acquisition will protect approximately 0.6 acre-feet of recharge per acre and has potential in the future to further enhance the quality and quantity of recharge occurring on the property through beneficial land management practices. This is a major milestone in the EAA’s history and is an important aspect to fulfilling part of the EAA mission of protecting and enhancing the Edwards Aquifer system.

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THE EVOLUTION OF AQUIFER EDUCATION & OUTREACH

By: EAA Education Outreach Staff

THEN, NOW, & WELL INTO THE FUTURE Since its establishment in 1996 , INSPIRING EDWARDS AQUIFER STEWARDSHIP

“The first step in aquifer education is realizing how water matters to you, how it affects your life. Once that connection is established, caring about water becomes easier.” Sarah Valdez,

EOC Senior STEAM Outreach Educator and a 20-year veteran of the organization.

the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) has been a beacon of environmental education and outreach, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preserving the aquifer. Employing innovative methods to engage communities, the EAA promotes stewardship of this vital resource.

1996 Establishment: The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) is established, initiating its environmental education and outreach programs.

1995 Publication: The Edwards Underground Conservation District publishes “Water, Water Conservation, and the Edwards Aquifer,” distributed with a teacher’s guide to students.

1990s Initial Engagement.

Late 1990s

2000s Educational Programs Expansion

Early 2000s

• Educational Publications: Publication of “Edwards Aquifer: Understand, Conserve, and Protect” book for students. • Classroom visits: EAA Education staff visits schools demonstrating how the aquifer works with an acrylic groundwater model. • Educational Characters: Introduction of Karston the Texas Blind Salamander puppet. Karston, and Doc Edwards, a fictional character promot ing aquifer education through comic books and activity books.

• Speakers Bureau: Launch of the EAA Speakers

Bureau to inform the public about the aquifer’s significance and water conservation. • Community Events: EAA employees participate in community events, festivals, and trade shows with information booths, handmade props, and interactive materials. • Theatrical Performances: Introduction of skits, plays, and theatrical performances to educate children about the aquifer.

“People don’t care about some thing unless they understand it.” Sarah Valdez

image source: texashistory.unt.edu/ark

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THE EVOLUTION OF AQUIFER EDUCATION & OUTREACH

By: EAA Education Outreach Staff

“By utilizing the communicative capabilities of digital media, including platforms such as this publication, our podcast, and our website, we foster dialogue and motivate action.”

THE EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY’S JOURNEY IN INSPIRING STEWARDSHIP THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH IS BEAUTIFULLY ENCAPSULATED, REFLECTING ITS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING THIS VITAL NATURAL RESOURCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. BY HIGHLIGHTING THESE KEY MOMENTS & INITIATIVES

Nikki Young, EAA’s Senior Community Engagement Administrator

2021

2023-2024

2024 and Beyond:

2010s Digital and Social Media Outreach

2020s Education Outreach Center (EOC)

EOC Opening: EAA opens the Education Outreach Center (EOC), welcoming nearly 10,000 guests within two years.

School Year: Visitor Engagement: The EOC hosts over 5,000 visitors, including students, senior citizens, parents, and teachers, engaging them with nature-based activities, wildlife encounters, presentations, and hikes.

• Digital and Community Engagement: EAA continues to leverage digital media and community engagement to emphasize the importance of managing, enhancing, and protecting the aquifer. • Annual Events: The Edwards Aquifer Summit Luncheon gathers civic leaders and elected officials to discuss sustainability and conservation efforts. “Our presence in the community has transformed into a warm invitation, especially as interest in water conservation grows,” Nikki Young

“Our Education Outreach Center is more than just an educational hub; it’s a space for meaningful engagement,” “Through hands-on activities, we are not only teaching but also fostering a deeper connection to our aquifer.” Sarah Valdez, EOC Senior STEAM Outreach Educator

• Social Media Expansion: EAA expands its outreach through social media, hosting diverse events like river clean-ups, Earth Day celebra tions, and industry conferences. • Sponsorships: EAA sponsors major events and festivals, collaborating with environmental symposiums and conservation expos.

“The Edwards Aquifer Authority’s educational resources have always been free of charge. Make sure to take advantage of all that the EAA has to offer.” Sarah Valdez

“Through strategic efforts such as giveaways, volunteer programs, and social media campaigns, the EAA connects with varied demographics, inspiring stewardship.”

Visit the EOC website: https://www.eaaeoc.org/

The Recharge Zone Podcast, debuted in 2020, and is hosted by Ann-Margaret Gonzalez and Brent Doty.

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Charge up your knowledge on all things Edwards Aquifer from the EAA. TUNE IN

The Recharge Zone Podcast is the official podcast for the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), a groundwater district, which protects the portion of the Balcones Fault Zone Edwards Aquifer – a jurisdictional area that provides water to over 2.5 million people and covers more than 8,000 square miles across 8 counties!

Roland Ruiz EAA General Manager

NEXT PODCAST: Tune in to our Recharge Zone Podcast this month to hear from EAA General Manager Roland Ruiz as he talks about the history of the EAA and where he envisions our agency will be in the next decade.

Visit our website to listen to the next podcast: https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/news-community/the-recharge-zone-podcast/

BOUT US A

The mission of the EAA is to Manage, Enhance, and Protect the Edwards Aquifer. The Edwards Aquifer Authority is a regional water management agency that regulates with integrity, transparency, respect, and commitment to sustainability of the aquifer. NewsDrop is a production of the EAA Communications and Development Department with helpful assistance from EAA Staff.

Edwards Aquifer Authority 900 E Quincy St • San Antonio, TX, 78215 www.edwardsaquifer.org

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