Aqua Texas—the investor-owned utility operating in the Wimberley Valley and across the Hill Country—has come under increasing scrutiny for its unsustainable groundwater management and aggressive rate hikes.

With a history of over-pumping, legal challenges, and billing controversies, Aqua’s actions continue to raise serious concerns for residents and local leaders committed to protecting the Trinity Aquifer and ensuring fair utility practices.

Background: Over-Pumping and Legal Resistance

In 2022 and 2023, during extreme drought, Aqua Texas exceeded its groundwater permit limits by more than 160 million gallons. Groundwater data revealed that pumping from Aqua’s Well 21 directly reduced flow from Jacob’s Well by over half a million gallons per day, contributing to the spring running dry for 222 days.

In response, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) assessed a $448,000 fine against Aqua for violating Stage 4 drought restrictions.

Rather than comply or reinvest in conservation, Aqua sued HTGCD and its board members in federal court, challenging the district’s legal authority to regulate pumping.

That lawsuit largely failed: in May 2024, the court dismissed Aqua’s request for an injunction and upheld the district’s right to enforce groundwater protections. The Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) formally intervened in the case to support HTGCD, underscoring widespread local resistance to Aqua’s tactics.

Photo Above: One of Aqua Texas' leaks in Woodcreek North, 2024

A Win at the Public Utility Commission (PUC)

As Aqua continued to challenge groundwater oversight, it simultaneously sought to raise rates on thousands of customers. In 2023, Aqua requested a monthly rate increase of over $50 to cover vague and poorly documented infrastructure projects. The Watershed Association, TESPA, and the Woodcreek Property Owners Association intervened in the case at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), arguing that the proposed increase lacked justification and did not serve the public interest.

The result: a unanimous PUC ruling rejecting Aqua’s $8.8 million annual rate hike. The Commission cited Aqua’s inadequate record-keeping, failure to distinguish routine maintenance from capital improvements, and lack of demonstrated benefit to customers. This outcome was a direct result of our intervention, and a major win for ratepayers.  

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Ongoing Oversight: A New Rate Hike Proposed

Despite this loss, Aqua is now pursuing a new, wide-reaching rate increase under PUC Docket No. 58124, seeking higher base and usage rates across hundreds of systems, including in western Hays County. If approved, this would significantly increase monthly bills for both water and sewer customers.

This request follows a separate PUC ruling earlier this year (Docket No. 55577) in which Aqua was ordered to refund or credit its improperly collected System Improvement Charges (SICs) - to date, Aqua has refunded more than $4.7 million to customer accounts, though the PUC is still reviewing the details to ensure full compliance. The PUC ruling also requires Aqua to file a new comprehensive rate case by September 26. It is impossible to tell yet whether this new rate increase (Docket No. 58124) is meant to serve as the comprehensive rate case ordered by the Commission. As of now, these two separate proceedings are running concurrently.

Complaint Against Aqua Still Under Review

TESPA has filed a formal complaint with the PUC regarding Aqua’s broader operating practices, including ongoing billing irregularities and questions about the utility's ability to serve its growing customer base with a sustainable water supply. That complaint remains under review.

Get Involved: Make Your Voice Heard

Your participation is crucial in holding Aqua Texas accountable.

Here’s how you can take action:

1. Submit a Public Comment: Visit the PUC Interchange and reference Control No. 58124 to share your feedback on the proposed rate hike.
2. Formally Intervene: Customers and local governments can request to intervene in the rate case, enabling participation in hearings and review of Aqua’s filings.
3. Track Aqua's Rate Filings: Aqua must submit a comprehensive rate case by September 26th, and we will make sure you are aware of every opportunity for public oversight.
4. Support Local Water Governance: Urge elected officials to stand behind the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and advocate for sustainable, community-based water management.

The Bigger Picture:

Aqua Texas’s recent actions highlight the dangers of relying on investor-owned utilities to manage essential water resources. The Watershed Association remains committed to protecting Jacob’s Well, Cypress Creek, and the Trinity Aquifer. With nearly one million visitors each year and a $100 million tourism economy dependent on clean, flowing water, the stakes could not be higher.

We believe water should be managed as a shared public trust, not a commodity. Together, we can advance policies that ensure long-term water security for the Hill Country.

Tickets are still available for the State of the Water Luncheon this coming Wednesday, June 25th.

Join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Community Center for an important community conversation about the future of our local water resources. This luncheon offers an opportunity for the community to come together and hear directly from local leaders and water experts about the challenges we face, and to explore solutions together.

As our region continues to grow and drought conditions persist, it’s critical to stay informed and engaged in protecting the waters that sustain the Wimberley Valley.

Reserve your seat now!

At its June board meeting, the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) announced a leadership transition. After a decade as founding president, Jim Blackburn stepped down from his executive role. The board unanimously elected Andrew Weber, a Wimberley resident, attorney, and current board member, as TESPA’s new president.

Blackburn will remain on the board and continue contributing to litigation strategy as TESPA advances its mission to protect local groundwater. Over the past ten years, the organization has established itself as a legal force in the Hill Country—defeating Electro Purification’s proposed Trinity Aquifer project, challenging Kinder Morgan pipeline impacts, and actively pursuing enforcement against Aqua Texas for over-pumping and water loss.

TESPA continues to be one of the only regional nonprofits using litigation to protect water resources, holding polluters and bad actors accountable in court when necessary. With Weber at the helm, the organization will expand its work through both legal action and legislative advocacy, ensuring the region’s aquifers and springs remain protected for generations to come.

Jacob’s Well Closed Due to Flooding After Seeing

‘The Most Rain in Years’

Recent torrential rains led to flooding at Jacob’s Well, forcing authorities to close the popular Wimberley swimming hole and surrounding park due to overflow and trail damage. Although the heavy rainfall—in some places the most in several years—brought the well briefly back to life, reopening for swimming remains unlikely. Jacob’s Well flowed again for only three days before dropping to a dry status once more.

From the Pages of Texas Monthly:

"Who's Killing Jacob's Well?"

Video Edition

Photo by: Matthew Guthrie

In August 2023, journalist Forrest Wilder of Texas Monthly published a compelling feature on the iconic Jacob’s Well Spring, capturing the deepening crisis facing this beloved Hill Country landmark.

His piece explored how prolonged drought, rapid development, and excessive groundwater pumping have pushed the Trinity Aquifer—and Jacob’s Well itself—to a breaking point. Now, a powerful new video brings that story to life, offering a visual companion that underscores the urgency of protecting this vital natural resource.

Photo by: Matthew Guthrie

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