Just before midnight on Sunday, June 22, Governor Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 1253—the bill was a promising and important piece of legislation that would have advanced water conservation and strengthened local groundwater oversight in our region.

SB 1253 contained two important provisions: the original version would have empowered cities to offer lower impact fees for new developments that include water-saving features, while an amendment that was added house would have granted the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) the same authority already held by every other Groundwater Conservation District in Texas. 

Both parts of this bill would have been meaningful steps forward for Texas water policy. The Governor has indicated that the original version of SB 1253 will be added to the list of items considered in the special session. Unfortunately, his veto message made it clear he does not support including the HTGCD provisions moving forward.

This is a significant setback for our local water resources. Aqua Texas—an out-of-state for-profit utility with a record of over-pumping in western Hays County—has opposed this legislation from the beginning. Backed by State Rep. Carrie Isaac, Aqua Texas has lobbied aggressively against HTGCD, which sought to correct an unusual loophole in HTGCD’s enabling legislation that prevents the district from charging production fees, which would only be paid by large volume commercial users.  

For years, Aqua Texas has operated under a unique exemption that allows it to pump water from the Trinity Aquifer without paying usage-based production fees—an exception not afforded to other commercial permit holders regulated by Texas groundwater conservation districts.

Senate Bill 1253 would have corrected this imbalance by applying reasonable production fees only to permitted, non-exempt large commercial wells—like Aqua’s—matching the same rates already in use in eastern Hays County. For the average customer using 3,000 gallons per month, this would amount to an additional cost of just 90 cents, helping fund the scientific research, monitoring, and enforcement necessary to manage our aquifer sustainably.

Unfortunately, Aqua and its supporters disseminated misleading information about the bill, portraying it as a threat to private property rights. These claims were echoed in the Governor’s veto proclamation, despite the fact that the management tools in question are already standard practices for groundwater districts governed by State Law under Chapter 36 across Texas.

As the Legislature prepares to reconvene for a special session beginning July 21, the current directive excludes the groundwater provisions from further consideration. Without sustained public engagement, this missed opportunity leaves the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District without the tools it needs to protect the aquifer—and our region—against unsustainable use.

Thousands of Hays County residents showed strong support for this legislation that aimed to strike a fair balance between protecting our shared groundwater resources and respecting private property rights. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and by a wide margin in the House, reflecting broad bipartisan agreement on the need to strengthen our local groundwater district’s ability to safeguard water for all residents.

We sincerely thank the many citizens who signed the petition and contacted legislators and the Governor in support of this important measure. Although the bill was ultimately vetoed, the widespread public engagement and clear legislative backing sent a powerful message: Hays County is united in the belief that protecting and responsibly managing local water resources is essential to our future.

Access to clean, reliable water is fundamental to life in Texas. At the Watershed Association, we remain committed to advancing fair, science-based water management that protects spring flow, property rights, and the long-term health of our Hill Country communities. We’ll continue to advocate for policy that prioritizes the public good over the profits of an out-of-state corporation. The Legislature must equip the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District with the full authority it needs to safeguard our aquifers and preserve the rural character of our region.

We are encouraged by the recent decision of the House Natural Resources Committee to schedule a hearing next month, prompted by a high-profile case in East Texas involving a proposed transfer of 15 billion gallons of groundwater for private gain. This moment underscores the need for strong, enforceable groundwater protections statewide.

Working alongside House Natural Resources Committee Chair Cody Harris, Senate Water Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee Chair Charles Perry, and other members of the Texas Legislature, we remain confident that the water rights of all Texans will be prioritized over efforts to exploit our shared resources for private profit.

Aqua Texas—the for-profit corporate utility from Pennsylvania serving parts of the Wimberley area and over 170,000 rural ratepayers across Texas—is once again drawing concern for its proposed rate increases.

Despite Aqua’s recent legal and regulatory loss that was won by the Watershed Association at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to attempt to recover $87 Million in claimed system improvement charges (SIC), Aqua Texas is now pursuing a sweeping new rate case that would impact thousands of customers statewide, including those across Hays County.

This time, the company is seeking a 23.4% increase in water revenue and a 51.8% increase in sewer revenue from its 2023 reported revenue—changes that will likely result in across-the-board rate hikes for most of its customers.

What’s at Stake: Rate Hikes, Consolidation, and Cost Recovery

Filed under PUC Docket No. 58124, Aqua’s proposal goes beyond a simple rate adjustment:

• Statewide Rate Consolidation: Aqua aims to consolidate its distinct rates into a single statewide set of water and sewer rates and tariffs for all its Texas systems. This would be a way for Aqua to acquire more rural utilities with ease and with less transparency.

• Ratepayer-Backed Legal Fees: Aqua is also seeking to recover $4.5 million from ratepayers to cover the costs of this rate case, and two previous System Improvement Charge (SIC) cases, including one that was fully rejected by the PUC. Ratepayers are essentially being asked to foot the bill for Aqua’s failed regulatory compliance and inadequate record-keeping.

• Questionable Tactics Persist: Aqua continues its pattern of inflating costs, bundling vague infrastructure expenses, and submitting bloated filings. Once again, it’s up to community members, public advocates, and regulators to scrutinize every line item.

Lauren Ice, legal counsel for the Watershed Association, put it plainly:

“The Commission agreed with the Administrative Law Judge in the recent System Improvement Charge (SIC) case—Aqua’s records were incomplete and disorganized, and did not support the costs they sought to recover from ratepayers. Their request was not adjusted—it was rejected in its entirety. They appear to have learned little from this loss and are again just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. The most blatant of these examples is that they want ratepayers to cover their costs from their rejected SIC case.”

Background: A Pattern of Overreach

This filing comes on the heels of Aqua’s loss in PUC Docket No. 55577, where the company was ordered to issue over $4.7 million in refunds for unsupported System Improvement Charges collected between August 2024 and February 2025. Aqua was also ordered to submit a comprehensive rate case by September 26th, and it now appears they have filed early.

Meanwhile, in another case at the PUC, Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA’s) formal complaint against Aqua—raising broader questions about Aqua’s billing practices and misrepresenting the number of lots they have in their service area and having a legal water supply to serve that area—remains under PUC review.

Strong Public Response: The Case Is Already Heating Up

Within just days of Aqua’s mailed notice of their proposed rate hike, more than 1,300 formal ratepayer protests have been filed. In response, both the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) and PUC staff have intervened and requested:

• A contested hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)

• A 150-day suspension of Aqua’s proposed rates, delaying any increase from July 25 until approximately December 2025

This regulatory activity confirms what many already knew: this will be a heavily contested case with serious consequences for rural Texas communities.

More than 100 residents, officials, and advocates gathered at the Wimberley Community Center for the annual State of the Water Luncheon—an event focused on addressing the region’s growing water challenges. Hosted by the Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by the Watershed Association, the gathering offered both personal reflections and scientific insight into the future of water in the Hill Country.

This year’s luncheon marked a milestone for the Hill Country—a moment where people from across sectors and generations came together to reflect on what water means to this place and its future. The room was filled with scientists, policymakers, elected officials, and residents from all walks of life. What united them was clear: a deep love for Hill Country water and a shared understanding that groundwater is vital to life.

The diversity of perspectives—from technical presentations to emotional storytelling—underscored the importance of collective action. It was more than a luncheon; it was a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving the springs, creeks, and aquifers that define our region. Conversations sparked at the luncheon will continue to shape local policy, drive conservation efforts, and unite our community in the shared belief that protecting our water is protecting our home.

David Baker, Executive Director of the Watershed Association, delivered a heartfelt keynote centered on the declining health of Jacob’s Well and Cypress Creek. Sharing a story about his grandson’s first swim in the spring-fed creek, Baker emphasized the stakes: “This fight is for him. And for the kids and future generations.” He warned that the region is planning for unlimited water in a time of growing scarcity, and urged caution around large-scale water importation projects that bring high costs and increased wastewater discharge. Focusing on incentives for conservation, One Water infrastructure, and incentives for improved water-wise development standards are an important focus for the community.

Other speakers, including Jenna Walker from the Meadows Center, Charlie Flatten, General Manager of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, and Dr. Robert Mace from Texas State University, addressed pressing issues such as Clean Rivers Program water quality monitoring program overview, algae blooms caused by wastewater discharge, aquifer depletion, and the need for better regional planning and incentives for rainwater collection.

Local officials, Wimberley Mayor ProTem Rebecca Minnick, Woodcreek Mayor Jeff Rasco, and Pct. 3 Commissioner Morgan Hammer spoke of the importance of partnerships and the recently approved Interlocal Agreement to develop regional water supply and wastewater infrastructure plans and improvements. This annual event echoed the importance of regional collaboration and stronger policies to protect well owners, ratepayers, and the sustainability of our shared aquifers that feed the water supply and sustain our springs, streams, and rivers.

The event also honored the Chamber Director, Becca Hancock, who founded the luncheon series and has been instrumental in bringing water issues to the forefront of community conversations. As the region faces mounting pressure from drought and development, the luncheon serves as a powerful reminder that water connects us all—and that protecting it requires our shared responsibility and timely action.

In the Texas Hill Country—where every drop counts—the Wimberley Rain Barrel Program provides a practical and impactful way for residents to conserve water at home.

Offered by the Wimberley United Methodist Church in partnership with Rain Water Solutions, the program makes it easy and affordable to collect rainwater and reduce reliance on groundwater.

By capturing rain from rooftops, these barrels store water for later use on gardens, trees, and landscaping. This simple practice helps lower water bills, reduce runoff, improve soil health, and protect the springs and aquifers that sustain our region.

Photo by: Matthew Guthrie

Connect with us!