 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
New mural celebrates San Antonio's water history From Spanish Colonial aqueducts to gushing artesian wells, San Antonio has a unique and colorful water history like no place else on Earth. On December 14, officials unveiled the city's newest mural that celebrates local water history and the area's indigenous roots. The mural by artist Cruz Ortis, titled "Yanaguana Rain Dream" is located at 1419 Roosevelt Ave. on the side of the Gill Equipment Co. building. It features a depiction of the San Antonio River, which native inhabitants called Yanaguana, and a stylized depiction of the natives themselves, who relied on water from the river and springs as they shaped and managed the land. Sarah Schlessinger, CEO of the Texas Water Foundation, said "Texas is fortunate to have a number of water champions that are working to make sure that we have a secure water future, including SAWS. But we also have a lot of challenges ahead of us, including rising population, aging infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change." This is the second mural commissioned by the Texas Water Foundation as part of its statewide Texas Runs on Water campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of the state's growing water supply challenges. Schlessinger added the campaign hopes to "inspire Texans to connect their pride of place, their pride of identity with the water that keeps it running."
|
||||||||||||
|
Residents continue opposition to Comal quarry After a setback in October that saw a restoration of a permit for a controversial quarry, residents announced they would continue their opposition by filing a motion for a rehearing on the matter. Residents asserted the three-judge appeals panel that restored the permit was unfair because only two of them were current, elected judges. A third judge, who is retired, was appointed to the panel. Milann Guckian, president of Preserve our Hill Country Environment Foundation, said "We put a motion for rehearing in front of the full appeals court, which means all six judges, the ones elected by the citizens of Texas, not from somebody who just lost their seat." Residents are concerned about the quarry's potential impact on the Edwards Aquifer and surrounding air quality. In October, the three-judge panel decided the impact would be minimal and contamination would be low. Guckian said "We're going to keep going on no matter what; we're going to just keep trying to fight this. We're not going to go away. Yes, it's tiring at times, frustrating at times, but it'll be worth it for all of us. |
||||||||||||
|
University of Texas, S.A. Zoo partner to detect rare Aquifer species The University of Texas and the San Antonio Zoo have partnered to detect several species of rare blind catfish that occur in the Edwards, using advanced DNA detection and sequencing techniques. The widemouth blindcat (Satan eurystomus) and the toothless blindcat (Trogloglanis pattersoni) are rarely seen, but have been collected from very deep Edwards wells along the fresh-saline water interface. In this area, the juxtaposition of two geochemically distinct waters creates an energy gradient, known as a redox gradient, that can support diverse ecological communities. Although little is known about it, the Edwards probably has the most diverse deep water ecology of any aquifer in the world. In addition to the blind catfish, many other crustaceans and copepods are known to exist. If this ecosystem is stable and functioning, it can be an indication the Aquifer is functioning correctly and can continue to provide the natural treatment that results in our ability to extract drinking. Aside from chlorination, water from the Edwards does not require further treatment, which is one thing that makes it an unusual and fabulous resource for people. Satan eurystomus has not been collected since 1984. UT project director Dr. Dean Hendrickson said "We're just trying to, at this point, figure out if they are still down there in the Aquifer." In the past, it was necessary to install nets and pass a lot of water through them to physically capture the organisms, but techniques have advanced to the point where all that is necessary is a few gallons of water. You can filter out and extract the animal's DNA. Dr. Hendrickson and other project organizers are proceeding to work with private landowners as partners in stakeholders to gain access to wells for sampling.
Court allows rock quarry over Edwards to proceed After a victory in March of last year in which a judge threw out a TCEQ decision to issue an air quality permit to a controversial proposed quarry between New Braunfels and Bulverde, opponents were outraged by a reversal on appeal in which the permit was restored. Previously, State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble said TCEQ acted arbitrarily or capriciously in granting an air quality permit to the quarry developers. The judge said TCEQ's determination that crystalline silica emissions from the plant would not negatively impact human health was not supported by substantial evidence. Additionally, the judge ruled that Vulcan's air-dispersion model did not adequately account for cumulative affects of road emissions, and the company's emissions calculations were not representative of the site. The proposed quarry site is near a number of new subdivisions, and neighbors are concerned about air pollution, water quality, destruction of caves, and decreased property values they say could result from the quarry. A coalition of residents known as Friends of Dry Comal Creek organized to oppose the project. On October 4, a three-judge panel of the Third Court of Appeals reversed the 2021 decision, deciding the impact would be minimal and contamination would be low. The quarry owner still must submit a water pollution abatement plan, which is required only when quarries are over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Opposition organizer David Drewa said once the quarry submits its plan, they will evaluate it and see whether it provides adequate protection for the Aquifer. "We're going to continue to fight on - fight on and protect our familites and natural resources," he said. |
||||||||||||
|
Summer 2022 was hottest on record It really was a hot summer. In late September, the National Weather Service reported it was the hottest summer in San Antonio's recorded history, with an average mean temperature of 88.1 degrees. Through the summer period, it was also one of the driest years on record, with only 7.2 inches of rain through August. At the end of summer, San Antonio was more than 15" behind its annual rainfall total. Schlitterbahn once again named world's best water park On September 9, the Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark announced that for the 23rd year in a row, it was named World's Best Water Park and awarded a prestigious Golden Ticket Award. Vice-President and General Manager Darren Hill said "There are countless associates who have worked so hard over the years to make Schlitterbahn the celebrated Texas attraction that it is today. From lifeguards and kitchen staff to admissions and maintenance associates, they have worked together to make this happen." Located just downstream of Comal Springs in New Braunfels, Schlitterbahn has 51 attraction on over 70 acres that include a wide variety of river rides, waterslides, and adventures. The area around Comal Springs is pretty much the epicenter of water recreation in Texas. |
||||||||||||
|
Aquifer science pioneer Weldon Hammond passes away On July 2, Edwards Aquifer science pioneer Weldon Hammond passed away at the age of 85. In 1971, while serving as a geologist for the Alamo Area Council of Governments, Mr. Hammond was one of the first scientists to recognize that urban growth on the Edwards Aquifer represented "a potential problem" to the area's water resources. He advocated for more knowledge and data, so that intelligent decisions could be made on the development of the area. In 1977, he accepted a faculty position in the Division of Earth and Physical Sciences at the newly established University of Texas at San Antonio, and he was the founding director of the Center for Water Research. At UTSA in the early 1980s, he was my geology professor and I will always remember his classes as some of the best I ever took. He had a way of inspiring interest in geology and making complex concepts understandable. His professional and personal accomplishments are almost too numerous to list. He developed public water supply wells in poor areas of Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Mexico, conducted research on isotype hydrogeology, served many professional and scientific organizations, was a Board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, served on legislative and state agency committees for water resource development, and taught science and math enrichment programs for children of migrant farm workers. Weldon Hammond had a strong dedication to making the world a better place. |
||||||||||||
|
Early Aquifer advocate Hans Helland passes away On May 28, Hans Helland passed away at the age of 70 after battling an untreatable brain tumor. In the early 1990s when Edwards Aquifer and water supply issues were coming to the fore, Mr. Helland was an early advocate for rational Aquifer management, water conservation, and strategies to protect and maintain springflows. He was elected to the Board of the Edwards Underground Water District in 1991 and became deeply involved in negotiations and decisions related to water management in the region. In addition to his passion for conserving and protecting the Edwards Aquifer, he was an avid athlete and belonged to many local civic organizations, where he was very generous with his time and talents. He is remembered as kind, hardworking, humble, and a good dancer. |
||||||||||||
|
S.A. leads nation in growth, but water supplies are adequate On May 24, the Express-News reported that new census data showed more people moved to San Antonio than anywhere else in the country between 2020 and 2021, with 13,626 people relocating here. San Antonio also maintained its status as the seventh-largest city in the country, with around 1.5 million people. In spite of explosive growth, and in the midst of a persistent drought, SAWS water officials say the city is well-equipped to meet existing and future water demands. San Antonio has implemented many alternative water projects over the past 20 years and has come a long way from the days when it relied completely on the Edwards Aquifer. SAWS CEO and President Robert Puente said "Using a combination of water diversification, conservation incentives, and sensible regulation, city leaders in partnership with San Antonio Water System have created a culture of water stewardship and conservation that is making the community water-secure while demonstrating what could be a model for other cities." |
||||||||||||
|
Great Springs Project releases vision to connect Edwards springs In April of 2022, the Great Springs Project released a 200-page plan that outlines its vision to link the four major springs of the Edwards: San Antonio, Comal, San Marcos, and Barton Springs. You can download and read it here. The project is viewed by many as one that will not only raise awareness of our region's vital water resources, but it will also have a valuable economic impact by offering recreational opportunities that will bring tourists to the area. Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros said "As the Central Texas region grows together, the Great Springs Project is absolutely the best hope for a permanent, unifying, and essential greenspace that demonstrates our respect for our land, our natural resources, our history, our outdoor spirit, and our commitment to the common good." Edwards Aquifer Outreach Center opens at Morgan's Wonderland In April of 2022 the Edwards Aquifer Authority opened a new Edwards Aquifer Outreach Center in partnership with Morgan's Wonderland Camp on the city's northeast side. It includes 2,400 square feet of educational facilities designed to be "ultra-accessible" for all children and adults with special needs, and is the first facility of its kind in the nation. EAA General Manager Roland Ruiz said "Our vision is that this place becomes a place of learning and valuing water conservation and hopefully building understanding how important that personal responsibillity is. We've had an educational outreach program for years where we'd actually go to the schools, and how we can bring those school groups here." Exhibits include displays that depict endangered species that depend on the Edwards, maps that show the water and river systems around San Antonio, and a mock aquifer cave that doubles as a 30-person classroom. Outside, a demonstration garden showcases 20 native plant species. San Antonio enters Stage 2 watering rules With the 10-day rolling average level of the J-17 monitoring well dropping below 650 feet above mean sea level, San Antonio declared that Stage 2 management rules are in effect as of April 13. While in Stage 2, outdoor watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed only between 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 -11:00 p.m., one day per week, as determined by the last number of your street address:
Watering days begin and end at midnight and overnight watering is not allowed. Water waste, such as water running down the street, is prohibited year-round. However, watering with a handheld hose is allowed any day, any time. See the complete list of rules here. |
||||||||||||
|
San Antonio enters Stage 1 watering rules With the 10-day rolling average level of the J-17 monitoring well dropping below 660 feet above mean sea level, San Antonio declared that Stage 1 management rules are in effect as of March 10. While in Stage 1, outdoor watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed only before 11 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m., one day per week, as determined by the last number of your street address:
Watering days begin and end at midnight and overnight watering is not allowed. Water waste, such as water running down the street, is prohibited year-round. However, watering with a handheld hose is allowed any day, any time. |
||||||||||||
|
SAWS Board approves Guajalote Ranch service provisions for protection of Edwards In December of 2021, the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees heard options for providing wastewater service in a proposed new development on 1,160 acres near Scenic Loop and Babcock Road known as the Guajalote Ranch Tract (see previous News item). The area is within SAWS designated area for water service and SAWS is required to provide it. But the area is not within SAWS designated area for wastewater service, and environmental groups have expressed concern that water from a potential wastewater discharge could reach Helotes Creek, which recharges the Edwards Aquifer. As a condition of providing water service, SAWS Board decided to include provisions designed to protect the Aquifer. The developer will be required to set aside 50 percent of the project area as untouched open space, and impervious cover will be limited to 30 percent. If the developer elects to install septic systems for wastewater treatment, they will be required to be an aerobic type of system that provides a higher level of treatment than a conventional system. If the develop elects to build an on-site wastewater treatment plant, it will be required to meet all State standards for being five miles from the Recharge Zone, include advanced nutrient removal and effluent filtration, and have an operator licensed at the A-level to operate the facility. The A-level of licensure is the State's highest level and requires long experienced and advanced training to obtain. In addition, the developer will be required to place the wastewater discharge at least one mile upstream from the point where water would leave the tract. |
||||||||||||
|
December was second warmest on record With Edwards Aquifer levels falling, Texas saw its second warmest December on record in 2021, with an average daily temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit. It was second only to December of 1889, when temperatures were about 3 tenths of a degree warmer. The region also saw very dry conditions, and both the heat and lack of rain are consistent with a La Nina climate pattern. The last time the area experienced a strong La Nina was during the drought of 2012. |
||||||||||||
