With widespread rain in the area during the past several weeks, why is Wellborn Water still at Stage 3 water restrictions

We really don't need to irrigate this week, right?

At least the burn ban was lifted.

You act like they should make sense.

techno-ag said:

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At least the burn ban was lifted.

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So we can burn couches in the streets after beating Sam Houston?

If you live in Wellborn. Folks on Northgate should stick to illegal fireworks.

The recent rain has not yet seeped down to adequately full the acquifer used by Wellborn?

Mr.Short-termMemory said:

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The recent rain has not yet seeped down to adequately full the acquifer used by Wellborn?

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It rained. Now that the ground is soaked Wellborn Water should lift restrictions so we can run our sprinkler systems!!

Makes perfect sense.

The restrictions had nothing to do with aquifer levels. They are fine. It's all about inadequate wells, storage, treatment and distribution for the demanded volume.

Pretty rare to be under water restrictions but not a burn ban. Not sure if I have ever seen that happen.

They were weeks too slow to put up stage 2 restrictions, no reason to expect them to get their act together now. Also no great reason to need the restrictions lifted with all the rain in forecast.

EBrazosAg said:

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The restrictions had nothing to do with aquifer levels. They are fine. It's all about inadequate wells, storage, treatment and distribution for the demanded volume.

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Yep, groundwater was never even remotely a concern. Wellborn doesn't have enough infrastructure for it's customers, which I'd say is concerning considering how much this area is still growing.

According to a post on an another thread, WW has $43MM on hand for improved infrastructure. For either repairs or expansion. There needs to be an investigation into the board's malfeasance or incompetence, or both.

If someone can muddle through this TCEQ publication https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/comm_exec/pubs/gi/gi-043.pdf

AND the SUD provisions of Texas Water Code https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/WA/htm/WA.65.htm

there MAY be some answers.

I do not recall ever seeing notice of a WW board election in the past 20yrs. I was approached about 10yrs ago to see if I had interest in serving on the board- I declined. Assume this was for a nomination.

Board Members
Check here for news and information about your Wellborn Special Utility District Board Members.

President
James Bruggeman

Vice-President
Gary Lightsey

Treasurer
Travis Miller

Secretary
Gwen Hattaway

Board Member
George Faulkner

Board Member
John Himmel

Board Member
Paula Downie

Board Member
Larry Michalscheck

Board Member
Gary Spence

Here You GO from the SUD website... not much info on contacting.

I know that I had similar feeling until the Aug Wellborn SUD board meeting. They have plans, and have been working on them since 2018. If you are concerned (as I was), feel free to stop by their office an pick up a copy of the packet from the Aug 16 board meeting. Very informative and descriptive. The data on issues from this summer was very interesting.

I feel much better about things after attending board meeting and seeing all the info. It was strongly suggested to the board by residents at the meeting for the board to be more transparent and to communicate better with the community. They were receptive to that, and have already made changes to the website to reflect that they are taking that seriously.

If you have questions or concerns I encourage anyone to attend the next board meeting. The board was so surprised to have so many residents show up, and took questions and comments throughout the meeting.

(and no, i am not on the board, nor do I even know any of the board members)

edit to add the next board meeting is Sept 20 @ 6pm

https://www.wellbornsud.com/board-meetings

Good advice, thank you.

Wickson just lifted all restrictions.

WW just announced moving to Stage 2 restrictions.

For those on Wellborn Water, hold onto your shorts when you get your bill today. Rate increase went into effect.

oklaunion said:

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For those on Wellborn Water, hold onto your shorts when you get your bill today. Rate increase went into effect.

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Oh no. I thought it went into effect last month. I guess we just used more water.

Gotta pay for that new water tower they still haven't built yet

my non irrigation water bill is 2x what it was a few years ago before the rate and service fee increases.

Expert Analysis said:

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my non irrigation water bill is 2x what it was a few years ago before the rate and service fee increases.

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I understand it is significantly higher (just got my bill as well), but these rates are cheap compared to the Austin area.

I hope this will encourage people to not let their sprinklers just run all into the road like a river.

Our water rate is 2x and the fixed monthly fee is nearly 4x Bryans rates. Austin water has same fixed rate as Bryan, but their water usage charges increase much faster than Welborn's do, but Austin has lower rates for <6k gallons which is where I am at without watering. I am fine with charging a lot more to the high water users.

https://docs.bryantx.gov/water/BCC-RES-3900-2020-09-22.pdf
https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Water/Rates/ResidentialPublicRates_2023.pdf
https://wellbornsud.com/new-water-rates-effective-march-1-2023#

rodan85 said:

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Expert Analysis said:

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my non irrigation water bill is 2x what it was a few years ago before the rate and service fee increases.

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I understand it is significantly higher (just got my bill as well), but these rates are cheap compared to the Austin area.

I hope this will encourage people to not let their sprinklers just run all into the road like a river.

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Austin is a much larger city, in a much drier climate, with a much more limited water supply. Apples/ Oranges. Really no reason to ever compare us to that place.