Concerns Raised About Groundwater
Fayette County Judge Joe Weber raised concerns about local groundwater resources at a Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday, Oct. 27. The discussion came up during an agenda item to authorize Fayette Water Supply Corporation (FWSC) to lay a new fourinch water line for a 26-lot subdivision along Fritsch Rd. near Rutersville. “I’m concerned about the future with all the development coming in,” Weber said. “People are going to punch holes in the ground wherever they can for water wells. Another option is commercial water. How does the developer decide?” “The biggest concern is, of course, the cost to get water to the property,” said FWSC General Manager Jim Rebecek. “The developer is required to pay for all line extensions or improvements, which can be considerable. Right now, we give them a price, and they’ll write a check in a heartbeat. All they’re looking for is inventory of lots.
“But my concern is that we’re getting close to running out of capacity,” Rebecek added. “So we’re having to drill new wells and put in bigger lines.”
Rebecek said FWSC has an adequate supply of water on the west side of its service area. On the east side of the district, however, Rebecek said FWSC has had difficulty keeping up with demand. And that’s where much of the development is taking place.
The County government does not have authority to regulate groundwater resources. That authority is vested in the Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District, a separate entity with taxing authority and an elected board of directors.
“The county does not have a requirement at this time for the developer to supply water,” said County Inspector Clint Sternadel. “The developer doesn’t have to supply water at all for selling the lots.” “If these developers come in with 20 or 30 lots and punch a water well on each one, how do we know there’s enough water down there to service that area?” Weber asked. “And if it’s there, how long does it last?”
We’ve been putting in meters for people whose water wells went down,” Rebecek said. “One thing is the drought. The second thing is the (growing) population.
Sternadel said representatives from the Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District plan to meet with Commissioners Court in the near future to discuss groundwater concerns in the County.