AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wells across the state are going dry, while many rivers and streams are down to a trickle. It’s a growing problem for many Texans as water scarcity grows into a greater concern.
This week, experts are gathering in Austin at the “Water for Texas 2025 Conference” to find solutions. The conference, hosted by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), runs through Wednesday, Jan. 29.
On Tuesday, panelists discussed the impact aquifer depletion is having on surface water streams and lakes. Led by TWDB executive John Dupnik, the panel explored the interesting relationship between ground and surface water.
“With surface water and groundwater, if each had Facebook pages, and they met in a bar somewhere, and it got serious… the relationship status would be ‘it’s complicated,'” said Dr. Robert Mace with The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.
According to Dupnik, 9.3 million acre-feet of groundwater flows from aquifers to the surface each year. This accounts for about 30% of surface water.
A key example of this complicated relationship: Barton Springs. Water from deep beneath the surface bubbles up and supplies water to the pool above.
“It’s really easy to measure, see and quantify, but most of the state, most of that 30% contribution is much more complicated, much more subtle, and it changes,” Mace said.
One topic discussed explored how wells near riverways see water levels rise alongside the nearby river, showing connections beneath the surface.
“This science is complicated. We know that there’s a connection there,” Mace said.
Legal issues and water rights
One of the complications stems from who has rights to what. In Texas, the state has legal authority over surface water.
Through entities like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Lower Colorado River Authority, the state determines who has access to the surface water permits.
Groundwater is a little different. Landowners own the water beneath their property, not the state. Local groundwater conservation districts gave landowners pumping permits, but not every part of the state is overseen by a conservation district.
Between the two, groundwater frequently wins over surface water.
“There is case law that allows groundwater pumping to completely dry up springs or completely dry up that connection,” said Dr. Mace.
As part of the panel, which also included Carlos Rubenstein with environmental consulting firm RSAH2O, Sharlene Lewis with Fluid Advisors and Alan Day from the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, the team discussed possible solutions.
Rubenstein and Mace pushed for more data and models to give conservation districts and legislatures a better idea of what to do.
“We cannot address this credibly if we don’t have the tools and we continue to use the models that we have for purposes for which they were never designed,” Rubenstein said.
The conference continues Wednesday. State Sen. Charles Perry will give the closing remarks and highlight priority legislation as part of the 2025 session.
