Drain First, Ask Questions Later
Plans for 2 Deep Water Intakes threaten the survival of an already over-stressed Lake Travis and could cost Central Texas taxpayers millions.  These intakes have the capacity to withdraw at least 441 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) from the bottom of Lake Travis.

City managers of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander are rapidly moving forward with plans to pump at least 141 MGD out of Lake Travis.  To achieve this massive water grab, the cities joined forces, hired the estranged former Austin Water Utility Director Chris Lippe as a project manager, and decided to plant the required industrial infrastructure in the heart of a Volente residential neighborhood.

Despite the respect Central Texans have for our area’s natural resources, Chris Lippe is pushing a dangerous agenda of drain first and ask questions later.  Left unchecked, Lippe’s plans will cut a wide construction corridor through existing Trails End and Volente residential neighborhoods and erect a 2-1/2 story industrial deep water intake facility, literally slicing the neighborhood in two. 

Because the three cities are within the Brazos River Authority (BRA), run-off drains into their watershed, not the LCRA’s.  The three cities have no plans or intention of replacing the water taken from Lake Travis.  Additionally, Lippe’s current plans will force Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander ratepayers to subsidize the project’s $360 million infrastructure, not to mention the millions in reservation and surcharge fees they will pay before the water is actually removed.

The City of Austin also has plans for a huge intake.  Theirs is on the bottom of the deepest part of the lake.  This massive structure will be capable of withdrawing 300MGD.

Austin currently draws their water from Lake Austin and Town Lake.  Run-off from streams into these lakes keeps the amount of water Austin actually removes from Lake Travis to a minimum, except during drought conditions.  This proposed new intake will cause Austin’s water needs to come directly out of Lake Travis.

Austin is capable of meeting its expected water needs without building a water intake on Lake Travis.  It does not have to build this huge intake to meet its needs.  Austin should be integrating alternative water sources to ensure the long-term needs of its citizens and preserve Lake Travis as the economic and aesthetic gem of Central Texas.



Photo by www.texasscribbler.com


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