Title
Receive report regarding an interlocal cooperation contract with New Braunfels Utilities for the development and use of an aquifer storage and recovery project.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
None. This item is for informational purposes only.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to receive a report regarding an interlocal cooperation contract (Contract) with New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) for development of an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project in the brackish/saline portion of the Edwards Aquifer. Because the project contemplates injection (i.e. recharge) of groundwater into the Edwards, albeit into the saline zone, and recovery (withdrawal) of the injected water for beneficial use, a contract between NBU and EAA is required according to Chapter 711, Subchapter J of the EAA Rules.
Through its long-term strategic planning process, NBU has identified ASR as a potential water management strategy that could enable NBU to optimize its existing supplies, maximize its reliability, and provide a means to accommodate peak demand and other benefits for its customers. For geologic, geographic, and cost reasons, NBU is contemplating developing ASR in the brackish or saline zone of the Edwards Aquifer. In concept, NBU proposes to inject fresh Edwards groundwater under its existing EAA withdrawal permits into the saline portion of the aquifer for storage and recovery. NBU began working with Arcadis-US on a feasibility study in 2011. Since then, NBU has developed a multi-phased approach to construct, evaluate, and potentially expand the capacity of the ASR and, if feasible, eventually inject both Edwards Aquifer groundwater and surface water for storage and recovery.
At the October 13, 2015 meeting, the EAA board adopted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NBU for the development of a demonstration ASR project consistent with the intent of the EAA’s recharge rules. Under the MOU, the parties agreed “to establish the basis for a ...
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