Posted by Staff
Letter to Editor:
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
A group of interested citizens are organizing to reclaim our water rights.
Prior to 1989, the City of San Marcos got 100% of its water from the Edwards Aquifer. Between 1989 and around 2000, the citizens passed an 8.5 million dollar bond election to build a water treatment plant, build a pipeline and purchase 10,000 acre feet from the GBRA which governs Canyon Lake and Lake Dunlap. Today, about 95% of our water usage comes from surface water governed by the GBRA. We do still own and use a portion of our Edwards Aquifer rights.
The original intent by our city leaders in the 90’s was that we be about 75% surface water and use our Edwards Aquifer rights for peak summer use. Today, we lease some of our water to a concrete company call Martin Marietta.
When the City Council restricts our use of water as severely as they did this summer, i.e., moving us to Stage 4, there is a shortfall in the city coffers. Instead of allowing us to use the water to put money in the coffers, they raise our water rates to offset the shortfall, and lease our Aquifer rights to other entities. To add insult to injury, they lease our water at about a third the price of what the citizens pay! Yes, you are reading this right. It makes no sense. An easy solution would be to JUST LET US USE OUR WATER.
Because of wise planning by former leaders, San Marcos has an abundance of water. City officials estimate that we have enough water to take care of a population of 100,000 residents in a severe drought. Therefore, there is certainly enough for our citizens to maintain their property and then lease the excess to outside entities for additional income to the city.
The renewal of a lease of our water to Martin Marietta is on the council agenda Tuesday, October 21. A group of us will be present to speak out against leasing our water while limiting the citizens the right to use it.
If you would like to join us in a show of support, please come. We’ll be the ones wearing green. If you are unable to attend but want to support the cause or learn more, you may email me at marshat@grandecom.net
We’ll be happy to get you involved and keep you informed on our progress in RECLAIMING OUR RIGHTS TO OUR WATER!
Thank you,
Marsha Thomason
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View Comments
Well said, Marsha. The current policies don't make sense. The fastest growing city in the country doesn't have to be the ugliest.