Title
Consider recommendation from the Research & Technology Committee to approve an Interlocal Cooperation Contract with the University of Texas at San Antonio for water quality responses to recharge at Comal Springs, in an amount not to exceed $60,000.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board approve Interlocal Cooperation Contract No. 20-017-AMS between the EAA and the University of Texas at San Antonio for water quality responses to recharge at Comal Springs, in an amount not to exceed $60,000 for the period August 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Research & Technology Committee recommendation to approve an Interlocal Cooperation Contract with the University of Texas at San Antonio for water quality responses to recharge at Comal Springs. Geochemical sampling and dye tracing results suggest that multiple orifices within the Comal Springs complex have potentially varying source waters with differing flow paths in the Edwards Aquifer. Although some time-series data are available, there are limited high-frequency data sets that represent discharges from more than one of the major Comal Springs discharge orifices.
The purpose of this Contract is to collect high-frequency and targeted time-series samples of water discharging from three major orifices at Comal Springs. Samples will be analyzed to assess the major ion, trace element, and stable and radiogenic isotope compositions of spring waters over time. Results of the analyses will be used to evaluate the effects of recharge events and varying spring flowrates on spring water chemistry to delineate possible recharge sources and flow paths.
Over the course of a three-year period, scientists from the University of Texas at San Antonio will conduct high frequency geochemical sampling at Comal Springs. At the end of each calendar year, they will deliver a preliminary data report containing the sampling results and associated analytica...
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