The application period for this year’s round of rainwater harvesting grants is now open through the end of February 2024. The Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (UTGCD) encourages communities within the four counties it serves (Montague, Wise, Parker, and Hood) to consider applying and utilizing rainwater for all manner of needs. With the State of Texas supporting rainwater harvesting through government code and legislation, now is the perfect time to learn more and invest in a system. Visit the district website at uppertrinitygcd.com for application materials and details.
One example of a success rainwater harvesting program stems from a grant supplied by the UTGCD to the Central Community Fire Department.
The system is located at 4100 Old Agnes Road and offsets groundwater use while supplying fire departments and ESDs with additional water volumes to help fight fires, while also boosting their insurance rating.
The catchment surface of the station is 100x200 feet, and provides 12,500 gallons of water from just one inch of rainfall. The water will be used and recycled for the frequent fire training the station completes in coordination with Weatherford College throughout the year. Contractors Jenn and Kenn Davis of the local group Rain Ranchers broke ground in mid-September, and the system is operational and available for visitors to view.
Now that the 88th regular legislative session is in our rearview mirror, several bills related to groundwater management passed both chambers and have since been signed into law by the Governor. One particular bill that became effective on Jan. 1 is Senate Bill 2440, which impacts counties, municipalities, groundwater districts, and developers alike.
The bill modifies verbiage from existing government code, and requires, beginning in the new year, that a plat application for a subdivision of a tract of land for which the source of the water supply intended for the subdivision is groundwater, must have attached to it a statement that is prepared by an engineer licensed to practice in this state or a geoscientist licensed to practice in this state, and certifies that adequate groundwater is available for the subdivision.
A county or municipal authority may waive this requirement only if the proposed subdivision is less than 10 lots and “credible evidence of groundwater availability in the vicinity of the proposed subdivision is submitted” and the authority determines that sufficient groundwater is available and will continue to be available to the subdivided tract of land.
UTGCD is working with leadership from each of its four counties to enter into an interlocal agreement that would allow for the UTGCD to review the studies and ensure the county commissioners courts receive access to District geoscientists who can assist with verifying groundwater availability.
To view the UTGCD hub for groundwater certificates, visit uppertrinitygcd.com/gac.
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