CURRENT ACTIONS
LEANDER'S WATER INCREASE PUBLIC MEETING
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is holding a public meeting for comments on increasing the amount of water Leander will get for an inter-basin transfer from 6,400 AFY to 24,000 AFY. Please come and voice your concerns.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 7:00 pm.
Lakeway Activity Center
105 Cross Creek
Lakeway, TX 78734
TWDB APPROVES BCRUA FUNDS
25 DELTA members requested the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) delay a decision on the issuance, sale and delivery of State of Texas Bonds not to exceed $475 Million at the Board's Meeting on May 21, 2009.
Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) pushed for the release of the funds in order to begin construction on their $500 million water project into Lake Travis totally ignoring Leander's amended water rights pending at TCEQ. By dividing the project into phases and parts of phases, BCRUA requested $182 Million for Phase IA only. (70% of Phase IA is being sized for the entire 3 phases of the project.) Phase IB increases the water capacity by adjusting filters with no charge, etc.!
DELTA members explained changes in water availability, growth figures, ability to pay, etc. are substantial and material. DELTA requested that the TWDB Board review recent data before making this size unsecured loan with public funds.
The TWDB Board refused to honor DELTA's request to postpone their vote and voted to issue the bonds.
at the same time...
LCRA Sees Less Water Availability
LCRA recently requested mediation of its dispute with SAWS (San Antonio Water Systems) stating, "It would be 'unscientific and imprudent at best,' to use out-dated data that do not reflect accelerated population growth and water needs."
LCRA halted the LCRA/SAWS project due to recent studies indicating a possible 25% increase in future water needs of the Colorado River Basin. SAWS is currently suing LCRA for breaching its agreement.
How can LCRA understand the need for current information while another State Agency, TWDB, completely ignored DELTA's cry for postponement of their bond vote in order to update their information?
We, the people of the State of Texas, are to blame for allowing this...
AUSTIN'S PROPOSED DEEP WATER INTAKE
Chain-link fencing marks the enormous proposed site of Austin's WTP#4's $500 million project at RR 620 and Bullick Hollow (RR 2222).
Austin has made significant first steps toward conservation and reuse. Even in one of the hottest, driest summers on record in 2008, Austin's peak usage was much less than the goal set by the City Council. The focus on conservation has just begun. This entire proposed project can be safely postponed saving Austin rate payers millions and protecting Lake Travis recreational values during this economic downturn and drought.
Let's all see if we can show the Council how much better we can do with conservation in 2009! If you are an Austin Water Utility Customer, you can get 3 free low-flush commodes per house, plus $60 toward installation of each.
SAVE WATER. SAVE LAKE TRAVIS!
