Region K Water Plan John E. Burke, P.E. Chairman, Lower Colorado Regional Planning Group (Region K) General Manager, Aqua Water Supply Corp.

How Aqua Got Involved n Late 1990s - Concern about our water supply n Our aquifer was targeted by water marketers n Senate Bill 1 - Regional water planning

Regional Water Plans n Senate Bill 1, 1997 n 16 planning regions n Each region prepares a 50-year water plan, updated every 5 years n First plans in 2001

Region K

Region K’s Diverse Members

Region K Population Projections

Region K Demand Projections

Region K’s Issues At Outset n Region K projected to be water-short even with conservative demand projections n Many “straws” proposed to take water from our basin: “Water is the new oil” n Instream flows and bays and estuary needs

More Challenges n You can’t create new water - or can you? n Rice farmers can’t afford conservation measures n Need to develop new models (GAMs, WAMs) n Other regions also water-short and have competing needs The birth of an idea….

Region K Groundrules n Groundwater is renewable resource; no “mining” of aquifers n Minimal social, economic and cultural impacts n Economics, environmental impacts, and water availability guide selection of projects n Interbasin solutions must benefit each region

Region K’s approach n Involve all stakeholders n Adhere to groundrules, e.g., water as renewable resource n Collaborate n Seek win-win solutions n Be innovative - e.g., how to use available water more efficiently?

Region K (Lower Colorado) Region L (South Central TX) LCRA- SAWS Water Project Water Shortfall  Agricultural irrigation  Rural communities upstream of Highland Lakes Water Shortfall San Antonio needs additional supply for municipal use

LCRA - SAWS Water Project n Key: Capture floodwaters in off-channel reservoirs n SAWS pays for rice farm conservation n Conjunctive use of groundwater during drought n Main concern is instream flows, bays & estuaries in drought-of-record n $41 million for studies, environmental impact assessments, and plans

More stable water levels in Highland Lakes Water for agriculture Water for rural communities Austin San Antonio Lake Buchanan Instream flows to maintain aquatic habitat Water for San Antonio Freshwater inflows for Matagorda Bay Lower Colorado River basin and San Antonio region both benefit: a “win-win” solution.

LCRA – SAWS Planning Timeline Possible Extension (30 Years) Implementation Period (50 years) LCRA-SAWS Water Project Study Period Decision on project implementation Technical Study Plan Development Technical Studies Permit Submittal Permit Review/ Approval

Region K Supply with LCRA-SAWS project

What If Project Doesn’t Happen n Decrease in rice farms, which leads to… –Decrease in flow to bays and estuaries –Decrease in habitat for migratory birds n Regions with water needs will turn to other sources –Would not help our basin’s needs –Could have negative environmental impacts elsewhere

What’s Next n Finish studies on instream flows, bays and estuaries n Make decision whether to implement plan (LCRA - SAWS)