Our colleagues at TESPA sent out the following news release today (7/28/2022):
According to records at the Texas Secretary of State’s office, Electro Purification LLC has been dissolved. The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is moving through the required process of concluding the EP permit request.
This news puts an end to a seven-year battle shaped somewhat like the biblical David and Goliath matchup. Our David was the local water warriors, some brave local leaders, a science-driven groundwater district, and the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association.
TESPA has been in the legal arena with EP LLC since 2017 when EP filed for a permit to pump 912.5 million gallons a year from the Trinity Aquifer in Hays County. TESPA’s best science showed a negative influence on wells as far as five miles away – including Jacob’s Well. Local neighbors could see aquifer drawdowns of 500 to 1,500 feet.
Reality Check. EP may be gone, but our worries aren’t over.
“We have long held that groundwater wells in the Trinity Aquifer in Hays County are totally unacceptable for use by water marketers,” said TESPA executive director, Patrick Cox, PhD. “The ongoing drought this year provides clear reason why our groundwater should never be taken for granted. We must remain vigilant to other threats, such as a rock crushing plant on the Needmore Ranch. Sadly, the next legal battle is coming soon as our attorneys prepare to file suit against the Far South Mining Company.”
We are grateful for the attentive and active citizenry in this area who understand what’s at stake when someone starts messing with our groundwater.
TESPA is here to protect this fragile network of karst geology and any future unrealistic plans that threaten our aquifers, groundwater, springs, creeks, and rivers.
And we couldn’t do it without you.
THANK YOU!
From the TESPA Board of Directors
Jim Blackburn, President
Peter Way, Vice-president
Robin Rather, Secretary
Patrick Cox, Ph.D. (executive director)
Bob Elkins
Brett Norwood
Ron Weiss
The Water Protectors Fund protects our aquifers, springs, creeks, rivers – and the sole source of drinking water for thousands of people.
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