March Outreach Events

Throughout the month of March, we invite you to connect with Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District at two community events.

On Saturday, March 7, we will be tabling at the Bastrop Community Gardens Spring Home & Garden Show. We will also be giving a Groundwater 101 presentation covering groundwater law, groundwater management, and basic aquifer science. The Spring Home & Garden Show will take place March 7 and 8 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 1067 State Hwy 71, Bastrop, TX 78602.

Later in the month, on March 27, we will be tabling at Aqua Water Supply Corporation’s Annual Meeting. Stop by our booth to say hello and spin the wheel for a free water conservation prize. Registration runs from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with the meeting beginning at 2:00 PM. The event will be held at Holtman Hall, 4045 FM 535, Bastrop, TX 78602.

We hope to see you on March 7 and March 27!

Board Updates at LPGCD: Welcoming New Leadership, Honoring Dedicated Service

In picture from left to right: Herb Cook; Pati Jacobs; Debra Phillips; Melissa Cole; Fred Meijering; Nick Textor; and, Nancci Phillips-Burgess. Board of Directors not pictured: Tom Arsuffi; and, Joshua Meuth.

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District is pleased to announce recent board appointments and a reappointment made by the Bastrop County and Lee County Judges.

From Bastrop County, Pati Jacobs and Fred Meijering have been appointed to serve on the LPGCD Board of Directors. From Lee County, Herb Cook has been reappointed to continue his service, and Joshua Meuth has been appointed as a new director.

LPGCD is governed by ten citizen directors, with five appointed from each county to serve four-year terms. The Board is responsible for balancing private property rights with groundwater conservation, protection, and the prevention of waste, while supporting the highest practicable level of groundwater production within the District.

LPGCD also extends sincere appreciation to departing board members Mike Simmang, Kay Rogers, and Sheril Smith for their service and dedication to responsible groundwater management on behalf of residents and landowners in Bastrop and Lee Counties. Mike Simmang served on the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2025 and served as Board Secretary/Treasury fromAugust 2020 to December 2021 and January 2023 to December 2025. Kay Rogers served on the Board from 2020 to 2025 and served as Vice-President September 2021 to December 2025. Sheril Smith served on the Board from 2016 to 2026. She served as Board President from September 2021 to December 2022.

LPGCD thanks all past and present directors for their time, expertise, and willingness to serve the Bastrop and Lee Counties.

Helping Ag Producers Make Every Gallon Count

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District is rolling out a new Agricultural Production Meter Program to help farmers and landowners better understand how much groundwater they are using and how to use it more efficiently.

With support from a $50,000 matching grant from the Texas Water Development Board, LPGCD is partnering with agricultural producers across Bastrop and Lee Counties to install flow meters on irrigation and agricultural wells. These meters give producers real numbers they can use to plan irrigation, reduce waste, and protect the aquifers that keep farms running.

Irrigation makes up nearly 70 percent of groundwater use in Texas, which means even small improvements can make a big difference. Similar programs in other parts of the state have reduced water use by around 10 percent, proving that good data leads to smarter decisions.

Here’s how the program works:

• LPGCD purchases the flow meter
• The producer installs the meter
• LPGCD reimburses installation costs

Agricultural wells producing up to 200 acre-feet per year are required to have meters, and LPGCD is here to make that process easier and more affordable.

When producers can see exactly how much water they’re using, they can irrigate more efficiently, save money, and help protect groundwater for the long term. Measuring water use strengthens agriculture today while supporting water availability for tomorrow.

Interested in participating? Call (512) 360-5088 to learn more about the Agricultural Production Meter Program. You can also go to our website: Agricultural Production Meter Program Webpage.