Texas Senate Bill SB1170

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the use of water withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer by certain entities.

Impact

The bill is expected to have significant implications for water management within the state, particularly concerning municipalities like San Antonio. By permitting these utilities to sell aquifer water at wholesale to other utilities or river authorities in adjacent counties, the bill aims to enhance water supply flexibility and support regional water needs. This adjustment addresses growing concerns regarding water scarcity and supports the efficient use of local resources to meet demand in surrounding areas.

Summary

SB1170 is a legislative bill that addresses the usage of water withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer, an important water source in Texas. The bill amends existing regulations to ensure that water from the aquifer must generally be used within the authority’s boundaries. However, it allows exceptions whereby a retail public utility, which holds a permit and operates partially within the boundaries, can use the withdrawn water to provide services in designated areas outside those boundaries, where they are permitted to operate. This provision facilitates broader distribution of water while maintaining some level of local regulatory control.

Contention

While the bill aims to improve water distribution and management, it may also raise concerns among local stakeholders. Critics could argue that allowing wholesale sales might lead to over-extraction of resources from the Edwards Aquifer, which is already a critical water supply in times of drought. Furthermore, local governments and smaller utilities might fear losing control over their water supplies or face competition from a larger municipal utility. Thus, the balance between water resource management and local control is likely to be a focal point of discussion as the bill progresses.