A presentation concerning the findings of a study investigating the brackish groundwater resources and potential production areas from the Trinity Aquifer will be given at a regular meeting of the Brazos (Region G) Regional Water Planning Area at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at the Brazos River Authority Headquarters, 4600 Cobbs Drive, Waco, Texas.
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 salinity threshold 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 TWDB staff
- Overview of the Trinity Aquifer study, including:
- Study area locations and extents
- House Bill 30 requirements
- Data collected
- Hydrogeology
- Potential production areas
- 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 TWDB to hear how people may or may not be using brackish groundwater. The board is seeking stakeholder input and information on wells in the Trinity Aquifer that could affect the recommendation of a potential production area as a brackish groundwater production zone for final designation by the board.
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.