U.S. Water News Online
SAN ANTONIO -- An online auction to benefit an effort to build a new library, archives and museum in Uvalde will include the right to pump 326,000 gallons of water a year from the Edwards Aquifer.
Edwardswater.com donated the permit, valued at $3,700, for one-acre foot of water to the online auction to benefit the West Main Project, a $5.5 million, 35,000-square-foot project.
``As far as we know, this will be the first time Edwards Aquifer groundwater permits have been auctioned on eBay,'' said Bob Willoughby, president of edwardswater.com. ``We made the donation because we are supporters of the project and because we hope to bring some recognition to the auction and a worthy cause.''
It includes the legal work needed to transfer the permit and entitles the winning bidder to pump one-acre foot of water per year from the aquifer forever.
Dan Eason, edwardswater.com vice president of marketing, expects the permit to attract several bids.
``We do transactions every week for half an acre to three acre feet of water,'' Eason said. ``Small businesses are looking for that much water all the time. You would be surprised by the demand for small amounts.''
The business, formed two years ago, brokers water deals between Uvalde-area farmers who hold the rights to pump from the Edwards Aquifer and businesses, municipalities, churches and others who need water.
Many farmers have improved the efficiency of their irrigation systems and do not need all the water they have the right to pump from the aquifer, Eason said.
Susan Anderson, director of El Progreso Memorial Library in Uvalde, said that while the pumping permit is an unusual item, it did not surprise her.
``Not here in Uvalde,'' Anderson said. ``We know how precious water is.''
The auction, which runs through May 3, has attracted about 30 items so far. Anderson said she hopes to raise more than $10,000.
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