Your Water, Your Voice: Public Input Now Open on Groundwater Planning

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District needs to hear from you! Groundwater Management Area 12 (GMA 12) has officially voted on proposed Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) for the aquifers that supply water to our region. The proposed DFCs were approved by a supermajority vote of the five districts. 

What Does This Mean for You?

In Texas, groundwater is managed locally, but planning happens regionally through a process established under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code. Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) within a shared region, like GMA 12, come together to plan for the long-term future of our aquifers. The GMA 12 is made up of five districts: Brazos Valley GCD; Fayette County GCD; Lost Pines GCD; Mid-East Texas GCD; and, Post Oak Savannah GCD.

Every five years, these five districts engage in a joint groundwater planning process to define DFCs, which are essentially our shared metrics for what we want our aquifers to look like in the future. These conditions may describe water levels, spring flows, or available groundwater over a 50-year planning horizon.This process is rooted in science and considers a wide range of factors, including aquifer conditions, water supply needs, recharge rates, environmental impacts, socioeconomic considerations, and private property rights. It is designed to balance state water use demands with long term conservation and preservation.

During this planning cycle, Lost Pines GCD consistently advocated for the use of the PS4-2 v8 model run, which was approved at the April 16 GMA 12 meeting for determining the Desired Future Conditions (DFCs). During the proposed DFC vote on April 27, Lost Pines GCD continued to emphasize consistency by supporting the use of the PS4-2 v8 across all aquifers.

This approach was successfully applied to the Sparta Aquifer, Queen City Aquifer, Carrizo Aquifer, Calvert Bluff Aquifer, and Simsboro Aquifer. However, after three failed motions to use the PS4-2 v8, the Hooper Aquifer was assigned the currently adopted DFC.

What Happens Next?

Now that GMA 12 has voted on the proposed DFCs, the groundwater management process moves into a very important next step: public input. By state law, the proposed vote triggers a 90-day public comment period. During this time, each GCD in GMA 12, including Lost Pines GCD, will hold a public hearing. This allows our residents and stakeholders to learn more about and voice their opinions on the proposed DFCs. This is your opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and share your important perspectives with our Board of Directors. All comments received will be compiled and considered before a final GMA 12 DFC vote, which by law must happen before January 5, 2027. You may submit your comments in person at a hearing or board meeting or you may submit them in writing to lpgcd@lostpineswater.org.

Why Your Voice Matter?

Here in Bastrop and Lee counties, we rely 100 percent on groundwater for our water supply. The decisions made through this regional planning process directly influence how our region balances growth, water use, and long term groundwater sustainability.

Your voice matters in this process. As the public comment period begins, we encourage you to stay informed, attend a public hearing, and take part in the conversation. Whether you are a landowner, a well owner, a business operator, or simply someone who cares about the future of our communities, your input helps shape how we manage and protect our groundwater for generations to come.

For updates on public hearing dates and more information about the DFC process, visit www.lostpineswater.org, follow us on social media @LostPinesGCD, or call (512) 360-5088.

LPGCD Launches New Website Features To Make 659 Documents, 15,441 Pages More Accessible For The Public

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD or District) has made 659 documents totaling 15,441 pages more accessible to residents across Bastrop and Lee Counties. The initiative supports the District’s commitment to transparency while proactively preparing for the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Title II rule, 28 CFR Part 35, which sets an April 26, 2027 compliance deadline for public entities serving populations under 50,000.

Built on WCAG 2.1 AA standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the website transforms PDF files into searchable, translatable HTML so residents can more easily find and understand public information. The District’s accessible document library includes current and archived materials, helping ensure that legacy content is not left behind.

The new platform also includes instant translation in more than 250 languages, the ability to ask questions about documents in any language, and AI-powered search that lets residents use plain language to find what they need. It also supports mobile-friendly viewing, including older handwritten or scanned documents, and provides free 24/7 live visual interpretation. We now also offer 24/7 bilingual support in English and Spanish from accessibility experts, including free assistance to help the public navigate documents, complete forms, and understand content.

By making materials easier to use on any device, the District is reducing barriers for people who may be accessing information on a phone, using assistive technology, or reviewing scanned and older documents. We want our community to be able to get the information they need without unnecessary barriers. Groundwater affects everyday life in this region, and if someone is trying to read a meeting packet, review a budget, or understand a conservation update, that information should be accessible. This is about serving our residents with clarity, respect, and accountability.

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.