Thanks to all of you who spoke up! Dripping Springs WSC did not sign on to an Electro Purification wholesale contract on Monday–but they will revisit the possibility in January. Science and financial reasons were topics of conversation.
The DSWSC did not vote or take formal action, but overwhelmingly rejected the proposed terms of EP’s wholesale water contract, which were not made public. However, the DSWSC invited EP to submit a revised contract for possible consideration at its January 2021 meeting. TESPA and Hays County leaders expressed a firm conviction to continue monitoring this issue and keep citizens informed.
EP hasn’t gone away. Today, Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation posted notice for a special called meeting of their Board to consider a wholesale water contract with EP. EP’s well field as a water source to fuel Hill Country could jeopardize existing users’ water supplies.
Join TESPA, WVWA and our entire community in voicing concern for a wholesale contract with EP.
Action Alert issued by TESPA, 10/9/2020
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| TESPA Action Alert | Dripping Springs Water Supply 10/12/20 Agenda | Open letter from Comm. Shell to Dripping Springs WSC |
WHAT: On Friday, 10/9/20, Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation (DSWSC) posted a special meeting of its Board of Directors for Monday, 10/12/20 at 12 noon.
Item #6 on the Agenda: Wholesale water contract with EP (Electro Purification LLC)WHEN: Monday; October 12, 2020; 12 p.m.
WHERE: Offices of the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation
101 Hays Street, Suite 416, Dripping Springs, TX 78620WHO: Hays County Pct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell: Will attend the DSWSC meeting to testify during the discussion and speak on behalf of the Hays County position opposing the large volume groundwater permit sought by EP.
Citizen Response: Upon learning of the Monday meeting, citizens opposed to Electro Purification’s permit are contacting DSWSC to ask for a delay of the meeting and/or for a COVID-safe, online meeting forum. If refused, citizens who are able will appear outside the small DSWSC meeting space on Oct 12 at noon to protest any action.
Patrick Cox, PhD, TESPA executive director, explains, “It is premature and irresponsible for the DSWSC Board to consider supporting such a massive withdrawal of groundwater that threatens to dry up dozens of nearby water wells and jeopardizes the groundwater flowing into Jacob’s Well that is critical for its survival. Prior to taking action, this Board should fully consider the negative impacts that the EP water project poses to Hays County and its residents.”
WHY: EP IS STILL HERE
- This move to post on Friday for a special meeting on Monday that includes a wholesale water contract with Electro Purification appears to be a questionable tactic by both DSWSC and EP to avoid the light of public involvement or scrutiny
- Science clearly shows that there is not enough groundwater in western Hays County to support the 2.5 million gallon a day permit that EP is requesting without dewatering the aquifer and drying up nearby wells.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
EP’s proposed well field is located in an area where hundreds of domestic wells provide the sole source of water supply to homes and businesses in the area. EP’s request to pump more than 900 million gallons per year is being challenged by Hays County and TESPA, on behalf of its hundreds of Hays County members. Significant scientific evidence will be offered at a contested hearing in April 2021 that demonstrates EP’s proposed well field will result in a major decline of the Trinity Aquifer.
Maps of location of EP well field and projected draw down found here: https://www.tespatexas.org/electropurification