U.S. Water News Online
AUSTIN -- Water preservationists, soaking wet from a steady morning drizzle, gathered despite the rainfall and chilly temperatures on the steps of the Texas Capitol recently to voice opposition to water privatization initiatives across the state.
``Water is for people, not for profit,'' the group said repeatedly during a morning rally before taking their case to state lawmakers.
After suffering through three droughts in the past six years, cities around the state have struck multimillion-dollar deals to ensure adequate supplies of water.
Most private water developers are trying to acquire rights to groundwater, which is governed by the state's rule of capture. Under the rule, landowners can do what they want with water under their land. By contrast, the use of surface water is tightly restricted by the Legislature.
Under the rule of capture, water is a mineral right that can be bought and sold.
In response to urban development they say threatens the Edwards Aquifer, members of the Greater Edward's Aquifer Alliance has drafted a plan they're presenting to lawmakers to ensure the availability of water for current residents and springs.
The Edwards Aquifer is the main source of drinking water for the San Antonio area.
The protection plan asks that real estate investors and developers recognize that development of the Edwards Aquifer endangers the water supply and to direct growth downstream.
``Government handouts to developers and others to support development over the Edwards Aquifer should cease. No more special taxing development districts in the recharge and contributing zones of the aquifer should be allowed or approved by any state or local government or agency,'' the all iance requests in the plan.
The plan also recommends that conservation districts with elected directors be established over the entire aquifer to regulate water consumption from groundwater aquifer sources and to control development.
``In Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio and in between, we're seeing the same problems coming up with new development over the Edwards Aquifer,'' said Colin Clark, a spokesman for Save Our Springs Alliance. ``With this protection plan in hand, we will be able to push for more open space throughout the region to keep our water clean and provide needed park land for the public.''
The alliance is made up of environmental groups from across Texas who endorse the protection plan.
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