NewsDrop-Oct_Nov-2025

EXTERNAL AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

By: Kyle Craig Recharge Zone Regulations Manager

RECHARGE ZONE PROTECTION

The Recharge Zone Protection (RZP) team at the EAA monitors the storage of regulated substances on the Recharge Zone and specific portions of the Contributing Zone. This team is tasked with protect ing and preventing pollution from entering the aquifer through pres ervation of existing and potential groundwater use. This Recharge Zone is a sensitive feature of the Edwards Aquifer where approximately 1,250 square miles of Edwards Limestone is exposed at the ground surface and composes this part of the system where water enters the Aquifer. Learn more about RZP by reviewing our timeline of how this critical work has evolved over time.

DECEMBER 2007 – ON DECEMBER 25, 2007

OCTOBER 2002

MARCH 2008

JULY 2008

JUNE 2010

NOVEMBER 2012

• Board approved ch. 713 Subchapter G: Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) and Underground Storage Tank (UST) Rules.

• Board approved ch 713 Subchapter F (Hazardous Substances Registration, Storage, and Planning) as a result of Mulchie fire.

“Mulchie” fire occurred in Helotes that burned for 3 months on the edge of the Recharge Zone.

• Board approved ch. 713 Subchapter G rules to require registration of ASTs and USTs on the Recharge Zone.

• Board revised ch 713 Subchapter F rules that require facilities on the Recharge Zone that store certain quantities to take measures to prevent the potential con tamination from reaching the aquifer in the event of fire.

• Board approved revision of Subchapter G Rules that allowed installation of new ASTs with tertiary containment.

• Beginning of “Capacity” Rule

• New USTs are allowed through the transfer of capacity (Cap and trade system began).

• Prohibition on new ASTs and USTs

SINCE 2016

DECEMBER 2016

Recharge Zone Protection focuses less on direct AST Plan submission to the EAA, and more on frequency of inspections at facilities. This approach puts less emphasis on EAA review and approval and more emphasis on ensuring that ASTs and USTs are working properly with a less of chance of unnoticed leaks or spills that may contaminating the aquifer.

• Required registration of ASTs and USTs on the Contributing Zone.

• Board approved revision of Subchapter G Rules:

• Revision of Subchapter F Rules that removed the requirement for facilities on the Recharge Zone that store certain quantities to take measures to prevent the potential contamination from reaching the aquifer in the event of fire.

• Allowed installation of new ATSs with secondary containment.

Tanks Located over the Recharge Zone that the EAA monitors: USTs: 247 ASTs: 451

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