Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA)

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/texas/news/nrcs-regional-conservation-partnership-program

NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program helps restore, protect Texas’ natural resources on private agricultural lands | Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS in Texas has expanded its conservation efforts through RCPP to provide funding to non-profit and other entities to assist landowners with conservation planning and implementation to enhance water resources, soil health, wildlife habitat and long-term productivity on private lands.

KENS 5 interviews GEAA staff as we share the good news that Helotes homeowners got their first victory in keeping their creek clean!

The Texas Commission for Environmental Quality has cleared the way for a court battle.

It's important to note that the judge's decision could impact ALL of Bexar County if Lennar Homes is allowed to dump up to 4 million gallons of treated effluent into Helotes Creek daily.

GEAA continues to drive the message to all involved that the treated effluent will pollute our aquifer impacting ALL San Antonians!

Stay tuned…the hearing process will take about 6 months.

Full story available here https://www.kens5.com/video/news/local/273-e2f638e7-bfc0-4311-8e45-979d0409926b

Yea!!!

Neighbors protest Fitzhugh Road portion of Hays County transportation bond The Hays County Commissioners Court pushed a $450 million transportation bond program plan forward on Tuesday. It will go in front of voters in November. The program would allow the municipality t…

https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-regulators-put-the-brakes-on-plan-for-controversial-wastewater-permit-north-of-san-antonio-35314515

Texas regulators put the brakes on plan for controversial wastewater permit north of San Antonio Builder Lennar Corp. sought to dump wastewater into Helotes Creek. A judge will now decide the fate of that plan.

Yea!

Regulators say fight over putting wastewater in Helotes Creek can continue San Antonio Metro Health is among those meeting requirements to contest the permit for the plant, which would release treated wastewater into Helotes Creek.

https://www.wateronline.com/doc/consumers-trust-water-utilities-scientists-most-for-information-about-tap-water-0001?vm_tId=2650367&vm_nId=88320&user=882652ad-b076-491f-a98d-b2ec63a20369&gdpr=0&vm_alias=%27Public%20Perceptions%20of%20Tap%20Water%27%20Survey%3A%20Consumers%20Trust%20Water%20Utilities,%20Scientists%20Most%20For%20Information&utm_source=mkt_WOL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WOL_08-02-2024&utm_term=882652ad-b076-491f-a98d-b2ec63a20369&utm_content=%27Public%20Perceptions%20of%20Tap%20Water%27%20Survey%3A%20Consumers%20Trust%20Water%20Utilities,%20Scientists%20Most%20For%20Information&mkt_tok=MDc1LU5WQy0wODYAAAGUsZBIxCWgj9nJTAx6PRZT4cOkW_sdECHsjvpM9llp26Tgt5sxE2RkkfVocmMNM6fgmUwLXEu5r8fG530jSU5YOIcVX_AUAFneO-N2l6u-MnT1IQ

Consumers Trust Water Utilities, Scientists Most For Information About Tap Water Consumers place the most trust in water utilities and scientists to provide them with information about their tap water compared to other entities, according to a survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

https://www.wateronline.com/doc/research-seeks-to-transform-urban-water-management-0001?vm_tId=2650369&vm_nId=88320&user=882652ad-b076-491f-a98d-b2ec63a20369&gdpr=0&vm_alias=Research%20Seeks%20To%20Transform%20Urban%20Water%20Management&utm_source=mkt_WOL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WOL_08-02-2024&utm_term=882652ad-b076-491f-a98d-b2ec63a20369&utm_content=Research%20Seeks%20To%20Transform%20Urban%20Water%20Management&mkt_tok=MDc1LU5WQy0wODYAAAGUsZBIxOB7sFnTtZlaH0yGYS3xGf08W_HN-bJeputSobxGMpFBnNh5fa6dk4L9ByV_p8WXQjPgSlfoBXWN0Bx7FNgFqxXEFMqOiYYwJiZEE0mk7g

Research Seeks To Transform Urban Water Management Cities have long treated stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water as siloed entities, but the Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory, led by Stanley Grant, is on a mission to change that through a new concept called “One Water” that is gaining momentum among urban water practition...

The report highlights key points for the rural United States:
*Extreme flooding events lead to power and water outages, erosion and increased risk of landslides, mobilizing of pollutants, polluting of water sources, and contamination of rural community drinking water systems.
*Flooding poses a particular risk to decentralized rural water systems and private wells.
*Drought leads to rural groundwater declines through increased reliance on groundwater combined with lack of recharge.
*Wildfires are increasing in extent, duration, and severity and rural water is impacted by increased erosion, landslides, sediment, and contamination, making water resources and drinking water unsafe.
*Extreme temperatures harm rural water by decreasing water availability, as well as contributing to declining water quality.

New Study Documents Growing Dangers Of Climate Change And Emerging Opportunities For Building Resilience In Rural Communities Across The US The Pacific Institute, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), and Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) today released new research outlining how climate change impacts are leading to devastating consequences for water and wastewater systems in ru...

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-08/irvine-based-startup-leads-field-to-make-water-out-of-thin-air?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=email

Startups Are Racing to Make Water Out of Thin Air Materials that are bigger on the inside than the outside provide a futuristic solution to supply water to an increasingly arid planet.

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/29/texas-water-infrastructure-spending/?mc_cid=1f7603a797&mc_eid=dcf3381097

Texas Water Board details how it will spend $1 billion for water infrastructure projects About $45 million will go to Texas towns with fewer than 1,000 residents — a boon for municipalities without a viable tax base.

https://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/outdoors/article/san-antonio-austin-trail-19623831.php?utm_content=hed&sid=5936c55d3f92a45314ebbfdb&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=roundup&utm_campaign=mysa%20%7C%20mysa%20morning&stn=nf

Nature trail connecting San Antonio to Austin makes strides The plan for the 100-mile trail connecting San Antonio to Austin, also known as the Great Springs Project, is continuing on.

https://www.wateronline.com/doc/new-study-documents-growing-dangers-climate-change-emerging-opportunities-building-resilience-rural-communities-across-us-0001?vm_tId=2653419&vm_nId=88495&user=882652ad-b076-491f-a98d-b2ec63a20369&gdpr=0&vm_alias=New%20Study%20Documents%20Growing%20Dangers%20Of%20Climate%20Change%20And%20Emerging%20Opportunities%20For%20Building%20Resilience&utm_source=mkt_WOL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WOL_08-13-2024&utm_term=882652ad-b076-491f-a98d-b2ec63a20369&utm_content=New%20Study%20Documents%20Growing%20Dangers%20Of%20Climate%20Change%20And%20Emerging%20Opportunities%20For%20Building%20Resilience&mkt_tok=MDc1LU5WQy0wODYAAAGU6jXtavbrOd5VrZJx2PxCe6gBZu2keiYo5S0Im44yy1yXs1pDNh3Cb3rowfSTJsM5CkNhODGOCllO-j26z0WJUyBg4NpnVIkVQy3vGCHV4ej5Dw

New Study Documents Growing Dangers Of Climate Change And Emerging Opportunities For Building Resilience In Rural Communities Across The US The Pacific Institute, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), and Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) today released new research outlining how climate change impacts are leading to devastating consequences for water and wastewater systems in ru...

We might not be a clean water fairy, but we're as close as you can get! For 20 years GEAA and its member groups have worked to protect our water, and with your help we can continue to do so! Learn more at the link here https://aquiferalliance.org/donate-to-geaa/20-for-20-years/.

Amazing...

Making Water From Air Could Be a Key Climate Tool: Green Daily Today’s newsletter looks at a startup working with space age materials that can pull water from the driest air on Earth. You can read and share a full version of this story on Bloomberg.com. For unlimited access to climate and energy news, please subscribe.

Did you know soils have the same or even greater potential than plants to absorb carbon dioxide from the air and store it indefinitely? GEAA's new "Field Guide to Practices for Reducing the Impact of Climate Change" will soon be available to help you learn about landscaping practices that reduce the impact of climate change. More updates to follow!

Crystal clear or rusty red, polluted water can take all forms. But the Edwards Aquifer has long been a paradigm of good water quality, and GEAA is working day in and out to ensure it stays that way. Want to join us? Head to the link here to find out how you can help protect our water supplies https://aquiferalliance.org/donate-to-geaa/20-for-20-years/.

"

https://texaslivingwaters.org/historic-opportunities-epic-nwf-recommendations-for-texas-state-revolving-funds/
ATTENTION HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITIES!

Historic Opportunities: EPIC & NWF Recommendations for Texas State Revolving Funds – Texas Living Waters Project The Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs (CWSRF and DWSRF) are nearly synonymous with water and wastewater infrastructure financing in Texas. For decades the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has provided low-cost financing and forgivable loans through the SRF’s for projects i...

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2024/08/for-future-water-conservation-reuse-may-be-key/

For future water conservation, reuse may be key - Austin Monitor Though July’s rain may have eased some fears over the continuing drought, Austin Water is still playing the long game, with plans to prepare for a drier future. Water Resources Supervisor Marisa Flores Gonzalez joined the city’s Water and Wastewater…

YES!

Opinion | It makes so much sense to put treated wastewater to use, rather than dumping it into waterways For many decades, some Suffolk County officials have been seemingly unaware of the consequences of discharging wastewater from sewage treatment plants into coastal waters and the Long Island Sound and…

Join us in celebrating the work of another great GEAA member group in this month's GEAA Member Spotlight: Friends of Government Canyon (FoGC)!

FoGC is a nonprofit organization consisting of a group of active volunteers who take great pride in grooming trails, facilitating educational programs and advocating for the protection of Government Canyon State Natural Area.

The 12,000-acre nearly pristine Hill Country wilderness is one of Texas’ largest natural resources! Government Canyon is home to numerous diverse species of plants and wildlife, as well as the upper Culebra Creek/Leon Creek watershed, and the critical recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer.

It hosts 40 miles of trails and the area where Acrocanthosaurus and Sauroposeidon dinosaurs once roamed 115 million years ago!

FoGC volunteers have a common mission to protect and preserve the Natural Area and to advocate for clean water.

More about the Friends group, their notable efforts including their amphitheater, ADA compliant Discovery Trail, Natural Playscape and how to take part in their upcoming 11th annual Recharge Run visit the link here: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofGovernmentCanyon

https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/san-antonio-water-system-sewer-spills-epa-19591413.php?utm_content=hed&sid=5936c55d3f92a45314ebbfdb&ss=P&st_rid=null&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=headlines&utm_campaign=SAEN_210Report

After 11 years and $1 billion, SAWS says sewer system is better than ever Ordered by the EPA to reduce spills, the utility has repaired or replaced almost 500 miles of pipes in the past decade to improve its sewer system.

https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/blog/2024/08/ripple-effect-or-why-your-involvement-shaping-texas-water-quality-standards

Your involvement is critical to shape the present and future of Texas water! Not only is it your fundamental right as a Texas resident, but by voicing your concerns and taking action, you help create a ripple effect that has the potential to influence water quality decisions.

The Ripple Effect, or Why Your Involvement in Shaping Texas Water Quality Standards is Critical Let’s begin with a simple truth: water is life. As you’re reading this, you’ve likely used water recently—whether to quench your thirst, wash your hands, take a refreshing shower, bathe your child, or clean the dishes. Perhaps

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/08/05/texas-commission-on-environmental-quality-sets-hearing-for-guajolote-ranch-development-proposal/

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality sets hearing for Guajolote Ranch development proposal The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is set to hear the request for a waste water treatment plant permit that's been causing concerns among property owners near Grey Forest and environmental groups.

https://www.expressnews.com/hill-country/article/san-antonio-wastewater-edwards-aquifer-19620628.php?utm_content=hed&sid=5936c55d3f92a45314ebbfdb&ss=P&st_rid=null&utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=copy-url-link&utm_term=headlines&utm_campaign=article-share&hash=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwcmVzc25ld3MuY29tL2hpbGwtY291bnRyeS9hcnRpY2xlL3Nhbi1hbnRvbmlvLXdhc3Rld2F0ZXItZWR3YXJkcy1hcXVpZmVyLTE5NjIwNjI4LnBocA%3D%3D&time=MTcyMjk3NjI4NzU1NA%3D%3D&rid=NGRhMDUzZjgtNTAwNS00YTQ3LWE2YTgtYTkyYjljNzczMWYx&sharecount=NA%3D%3D

Regulators plan hearing on disputed Guajolote Ranch wastewater permit Opponents say the treated wastewater would damage Helotes Creek and the Edwards Aquifer. The hearing is to determine who has standing to contest the case.

Registration is open for our Water Wonks Lecture # 8. On Wednesday Aug 28th, Dr. Tasnuva Udita, Regional Climate Analyst with the City of Austin - Office of Sustainability, will speak on “Prioritization of Riparian Conservation Opportunities in the Upper Guadalupe River Basin (UGRB), South-Central Texas."

More about the series and the form to register for Dr. Udita's lecture are available in the link here: https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/

In this KSAT12 interview our Executive Director Annalisa Peace explains that the Guajolote property is just one of many that the city and county should consider investment money to help protect.

“We would like to see more conservation easements purchased,” she said. “The city has done a lot, but according to a Southwest Research Institute study here: https://aquiferalliance.org/.../Final_Report_revised..., the threat of the high density subdivision and the threat from storm water and polluted storm water is still very real for the Edwards, so we have a lot to do to protect our water supply,” she said.

We believe those opposing the permit will be given an opportunity to make their case in a “Contested Hearing.”

Watch the full story below

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality sets hearing for Guajolote Ranch development proposal The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is set to hear the request for a waste water treatment plant permit that's been causing concerns among property owners near Grey Forest and environmental groups.

Check out this important news about the TCEQ Public Participation Rule Project! Thank you Environmental Integrity Project.

You can also view GEAA's comments here: https://aquiferalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/8.2.24-GEAA-TCEQ-39-and-55-Public-Comments-3.pdf

TEXAS ACTION ALERT:

Do you think everyone should be allowed to voice their opinions about major industrial projects in Texas that could pollute local communities? If so, tell TCEQ to require public hearings and meetings that are both ONLINE and in person for pollution control permits.

Submit your opinion today: https://tceq.commentinput.com/

View our comments: https://bit.ly/TXSunsetComments_EIPComments

Environment Texas, Texas Sierra Club, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Houston Chronicle, Texas Tribune, Port Arthur Community Action Network, Public Citizen Texas, Healthy Gulf, Air Alliance Houston, Chispa TX