Water District Modifies Management Plan
The Glasscock Underground Water Conservation District voted Aug. 19 to add both drought and conservation goals to its currently certified1998-2008 management plan, as required by the Texas Water Development Board. With these changes, GUWCD manager Rick Harston is to provide water conservation information to the public by publishing a conservation article at least once each year. Also, GUWCD will check the Palmer Drought Severity Index by Texas climatic divisions every three months and will notify the two public water supply systems in the district if the Index shows the district is in a severe drought.
Harston said each of those systems (the St. Lawrence Co-op and the Garden City Water Supply System) should have its own plan for conservation, which would be enacted in the event of a severe drought.
State: Set Pumping Limits in Severe Droughts
Regarding the state-mandated changes to the district’s management plan, Harston said, “We’re not willing to do what they [the state] actually want us to do. ” [Set agricultural pumping limits when there is a severe drought].
GUWCD board member Mike Hughes asked, “Then are we going to do what is best for agriculture regardless of our mission? There is the impact of quality water for citizens, and the impact of quality water on the economy. Is there a balance?”
Board member Dennis Seidenberger said, “When do we reduce pumping to save water levels? Now, we’re pumping out more than the aquifer is recharging. Would it recharge if we didn’t pump for a year, or every other year?” He added that, considering the price of electricity and the price of cotton, the rate of water being pumped now is not economically feasible.
Board member John Phillips commented that he would always favor the landowner’s right to control his own groundwater.
A discussion of whether drip or furrow irrigation uses more total water produced no definitive answer. Board president Kenneth Braden said he uses less water with drip, and thinks the high cost of electricity has stopped the heavy drip watering of a few years ago. But, he said it depends on the individual, with some farmers watering more than others. Harston said experience with drip has helped farmers reduce the amount of water they use.
Donnita Coats reported that monthly medical insurance premiums for her and Harston are increasing by a total of $99 to $411 each per month. The board approved the increase with no change in coverage.