Battle Brewing In Hays County Over Commercial Water Wells

Updated: Tuesday, January 27 2015, 09:32 PM CST 

Residents in western Hays County communities like the Rolling Oaks Subdivision are fighting to save a precious resource. 

"This is where it all comes from," Rolling Oaks resident Terry Raines said as he pointed to a water well on his property. 

Raines' way of life there depends on his access to water. 

"This well is 360 feet deep," he explained. "It was drilled in 1970 and has always been a good source of water." 

But that could change. 

A Houston based company Electro Purification plans to pump five millions gallons of groundwater a day from the Trinity Aquifer and sell it to growing communities like Buda and Kyle. 

The pumping could cause residential wells in western Hays County to run dry. 

"I'm not the least bit opposed to growth in our county. 

With that being said I do think county growth needs to be responsible," resident Susan Tosher said. 

Tuesday, county homeowners took their concerns to the Hays County Commissioners Court meeting. 

"Apparently Electro Purification does not care about the people in this area who may be damaged by their pumping," resident Jim McMeans said. 

The Commissioners Court decided to call a special meeting inviting stake holders on this issue. 

They are hoping to develop a plan of action. 

"I have concerns about that amount of water leaving a very sensitive aquifer," Will Conley, Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 3, said. 

Commissioner Conley represents western Hays County residents. 

He hopes to take their concerns to state lawmakers to regulate commercial use of local groundwater resources. 

If nothing is done this legislative session, residents fear what could happen. 

"There's always been water in there ever since we've been out here and there always will if Electro doesn't pump us dry," Raines said. 

Texas Representative Jason Isaac will host a town hall meeting regarding the water issue on February 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wimberley Community Center. 

By Nadia Galindo

Read More at: http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/battle-brewing-hays-county-over-commercial-water-wells-23769.shtml 

Read More at: http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/battle-brewing-hays-county-over-commercial-water-wells-23769.shtml

text size Battle Brewing In Hays County Over Commercial Water Wells Updated: Tuesday, January 27 2015, 09:32 PM CST Residents in western Hays County communities like the Rolling Oaks Subdivision are fighting to save a precious resource. "This is where it all comes from," Rolling Oaks resident Terry Raines said as he pointed to a water well on his property. Raines' way of life there depends on his access to water. "This well is 360 feet deep," he explained. "It was drilled in 1970 and has always been a good source of water." But that could change. A Houston based company Electro Purification plans to pump five millions gallons of groundwater a day from the Trinity Aquifer and sell it to growing communities like Buda and Kyle. The pumping could cause residential wells in western Hays County to run dry. "I'm not the least bit opposed to growth in our county. With that being said I do think county growth needs to be responsible," resident Susan Tosher said. Tuesday, county homeowners took their concerns to the Hays County Commissioners Court meeting. "Apparently Electro Purification does not care about the people in this area who may be damaged by their pumping," resident Jim McMeans said. The Commissioners Court decided to call a special meeting inviting stake holders on this issue. They are hoping to develop a plan of action. "I have concerns about that amount of water leaving a very sensitive aquifer," Will Conley, Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 3, said. Commissioner Conley represents western Hays County residents. He hopes to take their concerns to state lawmakers to regulate commercial use of local groundwater resources. If nothing is done this legislative session, residents fear what could happen. "There's always been water in there ever since we've been out here and there always will if Electro doesn't pump us dry," Raines said. Texas Representative Jason Isaac will host a town hall meeting regarding the water issue on February 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wimberley Community Center. By Nadia Galindo

Read More at: http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/battle-brewing-hays-county-over-commercial-water-wells-23769.shtml