on local aquifers. Aquifers are under- ground layers of water-permeable rock that can be used as water sources. “Utilizing more surface water reduces the environmental conse- quences of over-pumping groundwater [such as] subsidence, ooding, fault movements, lower water quality, and increased costs to produce and treat the water,” Stinson said. Gordy Bunch, the chairman of The Woodlands Township board of direc- tors, said data suggested the conver- sion to surface water has already had a positive e ect in the region. “Converting to surface water has actually improved conditions locally with regards to subsidence and fault- ing,” he said. Data from the Houston-Galveston Subsidence District shows subsidence leveling o in areas studied a er sur- face water conversion began in . Subsidence, which has been associ- ated with excessive groundwater with- drawal, was evaluated in the Greater Houston area by a Southern Methodist University study published in June. According to the WJPA, the study conrmed excessive groundwater production from local aquifers has resulted in water level declines, subsid- ence and fault movement since . Turco said satellite mapping has identied areas of water level changes and subsidence concern. In a U.S. Geo- logical Survey map of water altitude changes from -, declines of up to feet were measured in The Woodlands area. Actual land subsid- ence in The Woodlands area from the past century was measured at about feet—less than areas farther south in the Greater Houston area, which were measured at up to feet. “The correlation between with- drawal of underground uid and the accelerated faulting activities is beyond dispute,” Turco said of the study. “The newly discovered fault
Surface Water Treatment Plant
J AS P E R A Q U I F E R
LONGMIRE RD.
SubsidencE Water levels of local aquifers, including the Jas- per aquifer that helps supply south Montgom- ery County, have dropped since 2000. Officials said losses have slowed since the surface water treatment plant opened in 2015. I N T H E WO O D L A N D S A R EA
336
PINE VALLEY DR.
105
1488
242
KEY
WATER LEVEL CHANGE FROM 2000-19 IN FEET
-20 to -40
-140 to -160 -180 to -200
45
-60 to -80 -100 to -120
99 TOLL
SOURCE:HARRIS-GALVESTONSUBSIDENCEDISTRICT,U.S. GEOLOGICALSURVEY/COMMUNITY IMPACTNEWSPAPER
249
activation … in this region appears to be related to excessive groundwater exploitation of the Jasper Aquifer in Montgomery County.” Bunch said he has personally expe- rienced the e ects of fault line activity because a house he owned sustained major damage as a result. “You don’t have to convince me there’s a correlation between the with- drawal rate and … subsidence because I lived it,” Bunch said. “What needs to occur for this community to under- stand why does our water cost more—it costs more because if we don’t use sur- face water we exasperate subsidence. We activate faults that move at a faster speed, and we do a substantial amount of property damage.” NEXT STEPS Houston said the SJRA surface water facility will continue to operate despite the uncertain status of regulations. “We have invested half a billion [dol- lars] into surface water infrastructure based on those [LSGCD] rules, and now those rules are at least temporar- ily suspended,” Houston said. “We will
continue to run the plant and
continue to provide water, because ... the utilities in our business know that we
N
need an alternate supply. We cannot continue to rely solely on groundwater.” The TWDB has required the LSGCD to submit a new management plan with new objectives and performance standards for groundwater use. The TWDB instructed the district to use similar management goals approved by the other four nearby groundwa- ter districts within Groundwater Man- agement Area , which includes nearby Houston-area counties, includ- ing Brazoria and Harris. Next, according to Chapter of the Texas Water Code, if the TWDB decides not to approve the LSGCD’s manage- ment plan upon appeal, the LSGCD can request the conict be mediated through a third-party dispute reso- lution system, such as the Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution at The University of Texas School of Law. If it is not resolved throughmediation,
the plan can be appealed to a district court in Travis County for a new trial, according to the code. The rules of the LSGCD continue in full force and e ect until all appeals have reached nal judgment, according to the water code. Turco said regardless of the out- come, long-term cost increases to con- sumers are inevitable because of the infrastructure costs associated with surface water. “Many people say the price for the water we’re paying for today is the cheapest water we’re going to buy,” Turco said. “I expect our water to con- tinue to be a precious resource,” Turco said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ANDREW CHRISTMAN AND JULES ROGERS
For more information visit communityimpact.com .
DON’T MISS OUT ON YOUR DREAM HOME...SCHEDULE A SHOWING TODAY!!
24826 PACIFIC DUNES LN
51 IRONTON PL
2110 FREEMAN ST
Gorgeous 5 bed, 5.5 bath home. Nestled in a cul-de-sac, this over-sized lot is surrounded by a 1,700 acre reserve. $1,299,000 | MLS: 91149472
Fully renovated Victorian-style 3 bed, 2 bath home. The perfect blend of modern and historical, mixing open-concept design with some original features. $415,000 | MLS: 27588213
This Mediterranean style 4-bed, 4.5-bath home has gorgeous custom features and a lakeside view from the second story deck. $985,000 | MLS: 49760776
RICARDO@THERGTEAM.COM | THERGTEAM.COM 26203 OAK RIDGE DR. THE WOODLANDS, TX 77380
281.974.0479
65
The Woodlands edition • September 2019
Powered by FlippingBook