A presentation on preliminary data collection efforts for a study mapping brackish groundwater in the Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer will be given at the Groundwater Management Area 7 meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 10:00 a.m., Central Texas Electric Cooperative, 386 Friendship Lane, Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624.
In 2015, the 84th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 30 directing the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to identify and designate brackish groundwater production zones in the state’s aquifers. Brackish groundwater is groundwater that is not fresh, ranging from 1,000 parts per million of total dissolved solids (the top end of fresh water) to 10,000 parts per million (seawater is about 35,000 parts per million).
The bill requires the TWDB to (1) determine the amount of brackish groundwater that a brackish groundwater production zone is capable of producing over 30- and 50-year periods without causing a significant impact to water availability or water quality, (2) provide recommendations for reasonable monitoring to observe the effects of brackish groundwater production, and (3) work with groundwater conservation districts and stakeholders in this effort.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend and participate. Presentation topics include:

• Opening remarks by the TWDB mapping teams
• Introduction to the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer studies, including:
• Proposed study areas
• Hydrogeology overview
• Data collected and data gaps
• Anticipated challenges
• Questions, comments, and input from stakeholders
• Summary of next steps

Because the state’s databases do not include all water wells, it is particularly important for us to hear how people may or may not be using brackish groundwater. We are also seeking information on water wells in the Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer with water quality measurements, known well construction, and a suite of geophysical logs including gamma ray, resistivity, and porosity logs.
The presentation from the meeting will be posted on the TWDB website. Additional information about the projects can be found at www.twdb.texas.gov/innovativewater/bracs/studies/Edwards_Trinity/index.asp.
If you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Or, for specific questions regarding the Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer study, contact Andrea Croskrey (512-463-2865; andrea.croskrey@twdb.texas.gov).