Thursday, April 25, 2024
Coryell County Commissioners heard a report that 1,381 new water wells could be drilled to accommodate growth and new subdivisions throughout the county, helping prompt a discussion with the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (MTGCD) to help monitor the new well permits.
Commissioners on Aug. 8 talked about a partnership between the county and the groundwater conservation district, and agreed to set up a workshop with county officials and district employees, including Patrick Wagner, the district's general manager.
County Judge Roger Miller said the county has no authority to restrict the drilling of water wells, but the groundwater conservation district does have that ability. He said an agreement between the county and MTGCD could be based on a similar agreement between Bell County and the Clearwater Groundwater Conservation District.
"There is a possibility of punching an additional 1,381 holes in the aquifer — most for residences, rural residential subdivisions — typically five acre lots or less," Miller said. "That's a significant amount of holes being punched into the aquifer.
"Our goal is not to discourage development but it is prudent and advisable to supervise this."
He noted there are 19 rural water providers in Coryell County and that a CCN (certificate of convenience and necessity, issued by the state to extend water and wastewater services to developing areas) gives "a monopoly on providing water in that geographic area."
Miller said it was important for county leaders to address the concerns and start working on agreement with the MTGCD, "otherwise it's an unregulated system of drilling water wells into an aquifer and could have some very negative long-term impacts."
Justin Latham, who is road and bridge administrator for Coryell County and is also on the board of Coryell City Water Supply, said he attended a meeting of the MTGCD with county employee Justin Mannix and has been in contact with the district about a partnership with the county.
"I asked the (commissioners) court if we want to modify subdivision applications to include input from Middle Trinity," Latham said. "Otherwise it's essentially rubber stamped.
"We're all hearing horror stories — some are hitting dry holes. It's not a simple thing — our regulations are going to have to reflect their authority," and adding another step to the permitting process for developers.
Latham estimated a well study paid for developers costs between $50,000 and $100,000, adding "I'm speculating."
He said the high cost of putting in water meters results in developers choosing to do a well study, instead. However, there is no independent source checking on the facts and figures provided via the study. That dilemma could be solved by a partnership between the county and the MTGCD.
"We are a taxing entity in Coryell County, and we are working toward an interlocal agreement with each county," MTGCD's Wagner said. "That would provide a way for the Middle Trinity to give feedback."
The MTGCD also serves Erath, Comanche and Bosque counties.
Wagner said the MTGCD can look at hydrologic fields, invest in monitoring of wells to check on water levels and conduct pumping tests to see if numbers provided in well studies are valid, work with hydrologic consultants and be able to monitor trouble spots.
"We're not trying to stunt growth, we're trying to find a balance (between growth and water conservation)," he said.
Wagner said the MTGCD is starting to look at the impact of multiple wells and the drawdown rate of the aquifer.
While much of the water services in Coryell County — including city services provided by Gatesville and Copperas Cove — are via surface water, such as through Lake Belton, some communities, including Oglesby and Evant, rely on well water.
"I think it's well worth our time and effort to get some type of agreement with Middle Trinity," Miller said.
Commissioner Ryan Basham suggested a workshop "to work out details. With all the wells we're going to run out of water. Maybe not in our lifetime, but we need to get our head around this.
Commissioners Kyle Matthews, Scott Weddle and Ray Ashby voiced agreement.
"Overall (aquifer levels) trend down in all the wells over the last 10 years,' Wagner said.
Asked about recharge zones, Wagner said, "I don't see anything necessarily damaging other than a large field of cedar trees. It would be beneficial to get rid of those."
Local resident Bill Barton asked with all the new wells being added, what that would do to existing residents.
Miller said MTGCD is not the cause of the new wells, and suggested that an agreement between the county and MTGCD similar to the agreement between Bell County and Clearwater could help resolve those concerns.
"We are attempting to address that so growth does not have a negative impact on current residents," he said.
