28. • Transportation & Natural ResourcesTravis County (Travis County)

Receive presentation on the Fiscal Year 2025 Southwest Travis County Groundwater Conservation District Operations Report. (Commissioner Howard)

Presented in: Travis County Commissioners Court Voting Session on 2026-03-31

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Southwestern Travis County has experienced declining aquifer levels since the mid-1990s due to groundwater over-production from wells and springs, coupled with prolonged drought conditions that continue to affect the region. These trends present ongoing challenges in balancing reliable water supplies with future population growth and associated development pressures. Travis County shares responsibility for groundwater management with the Southwest Travis County Groundwater Conservation District through its mission to conserve natural resources, support sustainable development permitting, and ensure safe and reliable water resources for residents. While groundwater conservation districts are the State of Texas’s preferred mechanism for groundwater management, the District’s enabling legislation did not provide sufficient funding to fully support its operations. To help preserve and protect shared groundwater resources, Travis County has supported the District through interlocal agreements (ILAs) and funding since 2019 that have been used to establish rules and operating procedures, conduct groundwater research, support District staff salaries, implement a regional groundwater monitoring system, and provide customer service and outreach to Travis County residents through educational materials and public seminars. Today’s presentation will be delivered by Mr. Lane Cockrell, General Manager of the Southwest Travis County Groundwater Conservation District. The presentation will provide the Commissioners Court with an overview of the District’s regulatory program and aquifer science efforts to date, including updates on water well permitting, groundwater monitoring, and coordination with other regulatory entities such as the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and research partners, including the University of Texas at Austin Bureau of Economic Geology. Presentation topics will also include plans to pursue funding from the Texas Water Development Board for a potential aquifer storage and recovery pilot program. The goal of this discussion is to establish a shared understanding of the District’s role, current activities, and future priorities as it continues to address groundwater supply challenges and opportunities.