Walden’s water utility districts – MUDS 8 & 9 – are subject to the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District’s (LSGCD) currently mandated 30% reduction in groundwater usage and must adopt a Groundwater Reduction Plan.
Beginning in 2016, Walden must utilize conservation techniques and or other water sources to meet the LSGCD mandated groundwater reduction target (currently set at 30%, but could be raised to 50%)
Since 2004, MUDS 8 & 9 have examined a variety of options to help us meet the 30% groundwater reduction target. These are discussed below:
Conservation Strategies
Almost 70% of the water used by Walden residents is used for irrigation and other outdoor purposes.
Encouraging water efficient landscaping, “smart” irrigation systems, and low flow household fixtures and appliances will certainly reduce groundwater usage
Unfortunately, conservation alone will not meet the 30% target, but it is the least expensive approach, and with your cooperation, we can do it.
Use of Treated Effluent for High Demand Landscape Irrigation
We “own” the treated effluent currently discharged into Lake Conroe, and could distribute it for landscape irrigation purposes within the subdivision.
Will require new piping, pumps, storage and disinfectant facilities
Cost: $12 to $22 million, dependent on project scale
Will not achieve the 30% target
Build A Conventional Surface Water Treatment Plant
A conventional plant to treat surface water from Lake Conroe is feasible
and would meet the 30% target.
Will need additional land for new plant and equipment
Will require firm commitment from SJRA to sell us lake water, but at this time the SJRA has indicated firm water commitments will not be available to non-participants in the proposed SJRA Groundwater Reduction Plan
Cost: $22 million
Build A Micro-Filtration Surface Water Treatment Plant
Continue to discharge treated effluent into Lake Conroe, but re-capture an equivalent volume of lake water, and buy supplemental water from SJRA for treatment in a micro-filtration facility
Plant can be built for less than $10 million
Project will achieve the 30% target for present demands
Significant savings ($25-90million) vs. SJRA-GRP participation
Requires SJRA support for “Bed and Banks” Permit, though limited cooperation has been received from SJRA for this project
Requires SJRA support for a new water intake in Lake Conroe
Requires commitment from SJRA to sell us additional water, or we must develop an additional water source
Source and Treat Potential Underground Brackish Water
Sands under the current groundwater aquifer may contain usable volumes of brackish water
Brackish water can be treated/blended to potable standards to replace ground water
Test well must be drilled to confirm quality and quantity
Test well temporarily delayed by LSGCD pending clarification of LSGCD authority over brackish water source and establishment of rules to allow brackish water use as a groundwater substitute
Join the County-Wide SJRA-GRP
Joining the SJRA Groundwater Reduction Plan is the most expensive option for MUDS 8 & 9 and Walden residents
Cost studies (prepared by NRS Engineering) show the long term costs of participation will be $125 million from 2010 to 2045
MUDs will be charged $.50 per 1000 gallons of pumped groundwater, beginning in August, 2010, and this rate will increase to $1.90 in 2015, $3.79 in 2025, $6.20 in 2035, and $8.50 in 2045.
These charges will be passed on to consumers and included in monthly water bills. A homeowner using 20,000 gallons per month will see a $10.00 increase, beginning in August, 2010, if the MUDs join the SJRA Groundwater Reduction Plan
Surface water will not be delivered to lake area users until 2035, so we will remain on ground water and operate own water systems
By joining the SJRA plan, MUDS will share in county wide achievement of 30% target
While joining the county-wide SJRA plan enables the MUDS to comply with all LSGCD rules, we believe that the substantial long term costs and legal obligations are not in the best interests of Walden residents
As you can tell, there are quite a few initiatives and approaches to meeting our mandated responsibility to meet the 30% groundwater reduction target. And quite a few moving parts, as rules and regulations change to adapt to changing circumstances.
While there are significant savings to be realized by managing our own groundwater reduction plan, we will require the support of both the SJRA and LSGCD to implement an independent groundwater reduction plan.
MUD 8 & 9 Directors are actively seeking the optimal groundwater reduction strategies for Walden, and will keep you informed of our progress.
