Protecting the Edwards Aquifer

To understand how easily we can affect our water, it helps to understand how water collects. So here's a quick review (Read carefully, there will be a test later). Let's start with the obvious...water runs downhill and drains into streams, lakes, rivers and yes, even the aquifer. This is known as a watershed. We all live in one. Which means stopping pollution before it starts begins in your own backyard. What does that have to do with water quality? A lot actually. At any point along the way, this water runoff can be tainted by things like illegal dumping or the overuse of pesticides. That's why it's important to know what you can do to help prevent pollution.

All of the water we currently use to drink, water our lawns, etc., comes from the Edwards Aquifer. When it rains, water from the drainage area flows over the recharge zone where it seeps back into the earth. As the water trickles down, it passes through layers of sand, gravel, clay and limestone into the aquifer. Considering the sensitive nature of the recharge zone, there are strict regulations about what type of land use activities are allowed and what may or may not be discharged. You see, the earth is like a giant sponge and it soaks everything in (pollution included).

Within the watershed you'll find ground water and surface water. Our drinking water is groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer, which as you've probably guessed is underground. In fact, 80% of the water supply systems in the U.S. use subterranean sources, or groundwater, as their primary resource. Surface water on the other hand, pretty much means what it implies. It includes everything from creeks and streams to the drainage systems that handle our storm water.

To preserve what we have, The Aquifer Protection & Evaluation Division keeps a keen eye on any development near or over the recharge zone. You name it and they monitor it including plat reviews, zoning cases, water pollution and abatement plans, underground storage tanks, quarry issues and other development related activities. And through the Land Acquisition Program, they help protect land from being degraded by inappropriate use.