We Need to Test the Water

To the editor:

I am writing to emphasize that the next Fayette County Judge must prioritize the aggressive expansion of the county’s well water sampling program. With the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the LCRA moving to reduce oversight and pollution limits for the Fayette Power Project (FPP), the County remains the sole independent defender of its groundwater.

This initiative, established by former Judge Joe Weber and maintained by Judge Dan Mueller, has evolved from a precaution into a critical legal and public health necessity. It is essential to establish a data baseline before selenium discharge limits are potentially removed.

The current state of water security in Fayette County is under significant pressure due to the following factors: - Regulatory Vacuum: In February 2026, the TCEQ denied requests for a public meeting regarding permit changes, despite petitions from Judge Mueller and local residents. This denial removes public oversight, necessitating that the County generate its own independent safety data. - Groundwater Risk: As Fayette County relies on groundwater for approximately 60% of its usage, landowners are vulnerable under the “Rule of Capture.” Without a robust, county-led sampling history, residents lack the baseline data required to prove damages should contamination occur.

To address these challenges, the County must move beyond periodic screenings. While previous efforts focused on E. coli and nitrates, the required expansion must include a structured monthly monitoring program. This program should specifically test for heavy metals, such as selenium and arsenic, at both the creek bed and water column levels to detect toxicity before it becomes irreversible.

The efforts initiated by Judge Weber in 2022 and continued by Judge Mueller in 2025 must now transition from political objection to scientific verification. The next administration must ensure the protection of our county’s primary assets: its land and water.