Until the Lower Colorado River Authority settles on a new direction, the demands for water are likely to out-pace the anticipated rapid growth in Central Texas.

So the agency is turning to the public for input on ways to meet the long-term water needs in the lower Colorado River basin for inclusion into its eventual Water Supply Resource Plan. The plan examines ways to supply water to the region for the next 90 years. In an effort to facilitate comment and discussion, LCRA held the second of two strategic planning sessions Monday at its service center on Montopolis Drive.
Sixty stakeholders broke up into groups to hash out its preferences after hearing the alternatives offered by LCRA.
“There are three strategies, but the end result doesn’t have to be an ‘all or nothing’ proposition,” said Clara Tuma, a Senior Communications Specialist with LCRA. “What we are concerned about is supplying water for future generations.”
Strategy I maximizes the benefits of existing water rights, according to LCRA. At a cost of between $3-$5 million, the agency believes it would meet projected firm water demands for at least 50 years, but would not meet firm demands through 2100. Under this strategy, LCRA would rely primarily on water from lakes Travis and Buchanan and through amendment of the four downstream water rights now used primarily for irrigation.
Strategy II pairs the benefits of existing water rights with significant conservation effort, according to LCRA. At a cost of between $225 million and $525 million over 40 years, it would meet firm water demands to 2100. The agency said aggressive conservation in this strategy would require LCRA to almost double the amount of water savings identified in the current LCRA water conservation plan adopted in the spring of 2009.
Strategy III is the most expensive option, with costs ranging from $721 million to $1.6 billion, according to the agency. LCRA said this plan would rely on existing water rights, current conservation programs and building one or more new supplies, such as an off-channel reservoir, desalination, aquifer storage and recovery, and groundwater importation.
LCRA has posted the proposed strategies on its web site (www.lcra.org/watersupply) and is encouraging the public to complete the questionnaire. The results of the public forums and the on-line survey will be presented to the LCRA board for consideration as it decides which option is best suited for its Central Texas customers.
Some estimates predict the Austin metro population will double, and the Williamson County population quadruple, by 2025. While the projected growth has long been anticipated, LCRA now believes demand for water is expected to increase by 14-25 percent above original estimates.
“As the population goes up, the demand goes up,” Tuma said. “It is very important that we get a good sampling of public input. It is important to hear from the public about what they want and what they are willing to pay for the supply.”
The information from Monday’s forum has not been compiled, but at a previous meeting in Burnet, the public preferred a combination of the three different strategies — including the addition of new reservoirs.
“We could use the existing supplies and do nothing,” Tuma said. “We will take what the public give us and go to the board and see how we will proceed.”
LCRA began the planning process began in mid-2008 with input from the public on water supply options and planning priorities. From there, the LCRA staff prepared the draft Water Supply Resource Plan, which includes the strategies to demonstrate the wide range of water supply options for the region.
The deadline for public input is March 19. To read the draft plan and give input, visit lcra.org/watersupply or e-mail watersupply@lcra.org.