A long-awaited study of the proposed LCRA-San Antonio Water System Water Project will soon be under way following the SAWS Board of Trustees' recent approval of the scope of the studies.
At its Feb. 17 meeting in San Antonio, the SAWS board also approved $4 million in funding for the first year of studies to determine the feasibility of this landmark project, which would develop water resources that would be shared by the lower Colorado River basin and the San Antonio area. LCRA will submit an annual budget over the six-year life of the studies. LCRA's Board of Directors approved the study plan last August.
"We commend SAWS for its foresight in seeking to develop new water supplies and for its prudence in making sure the proper studies will be done before moving forward," said Joe Beal, LCRA's general manager. "With the approval of the project study plan, we've cleared a key hurdle in water planning for both San Antonio and the lower Colorado River basin."
As of late March, LCRA was in the process of hiring consultants for engineering, scientific and economic studies to determine how the proposed project would affect the lower Colorado River basin. "An LCRA team has been working hard on preparing for this project for several years, but the work is an excellent investment in the future of our basin," said Ron Anderson, LCRA's project manager.
Project development in two phases
The agreement provides guidelines for developing the project in two phases: study and implementation. The study phase would take six years to determine - through environmental, engineering and water supply analyses - whether a project can be designed that would benefit both regions without adverse impacts on the Colorado River basin or Matagorda Bay and estuary. SAWS would pay for the feasibility studies. Staff also would initiate the necessary permitting activity during this phase.
If LCRA and SAWS determine from the study phase that the project is technically feasible and environmentally sound, the implementation phase would begin. During the implementation phase, SAWS would pay reservation fees, purchase fees and surcharges to cover the costs of the project.
SAWS trustees approved the cost of the study after it had been reviewed by its Citizens Advisory Panel. The panel approved the study but added its concern for the escalating costs associated with the project. Both agencies will work closely to target efficiencies to help reduce the costs.
Regional planning process
The LCRA-SAWS Water Project was developed during the regional water supply planning process directed by the Texas Water Development Board and mandated by Senate Bill 1 during the 1997 Texas Legislature. A public process identified water supply needs and recommended solutions for the Lower Colorado River Basin (Region K)and the San Antonio Area (Region L). Both regional plans recommended this project as a solution to projected water supply needs.
If the project is implemented, lower Colorado River basin users will benefit from the additional water provided for agriculture, rural communities and improved water levels in Travis and Buchanan lakes. San Antonio benefits by securing an 80-year water supply while protecting the Edwards Aquifer through managed use.
The project would increase the available water supply in the lower Colorado River basin by up to 330,000 acre-feet. SAWS could reserve up to 150,000 acre-feet of the additional water supply. The contract allows an implementation phase of up to 50 years and an extension of up to 30 years. In no event would the implementation phase continue for more than 80 years.
Under the agreement, diversions could occur only from off-channel reservoirs constructed downstream of the Highland Lakes. LCRA's enabling legislation prohibits diversions directly out of the Highland Lakes to San Antonio.
The project will not alter the normal operating pool levels of lakes Travis or Buchanan. Aggressive conservation in the irrigation districts and capturing additional water in off-channel reservoirs downstream from the Highland Lakes would reduce the demand for releases from the lakes.
Lisa Trow is an LCRA writer specializing in water topics. Contact her at lisa.trow@lcra.org.
Related info: See the LCRA-SAWS Water Project.
