Edwards Aquifer Authority

The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) is taking big steps forward!💧 We're working on renewing our Incidental Take Permit with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and that means reassessing, recommending, and refining our approach to protect this precious resource. The Conservation Measures Subcommittee—made up of experts from across the region—has been hard at work crafting solutions for a more sustainable future. Their collaboration, insights, and dedication have shaped a comprehensive report that's now available. A big thank you to the team for their incredible contributions! 🙌 Manage💧Enhance💧 Protect #EAHCP #ConservationInAction #AquiferProtection

Happy New Year from all of us at the Edwards Aquifer Authority and the EAA Education Outreach Center!💧🎉 Our offices and the EOC are closed today, but we’re excited to dive into another year of learning, exploring, and protecting the aquifer together. 🌟 Thank you for being part of our mission—here’s to making 2025 our best year yet! #HappyNewYear #EAALearning #AquiferAdventures

EAA General Manager Roland Ruiz reflects on 2024 as our agency experienced some memorable moments and highlights that will set the stage for our agency in 2025 as we continue to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer! 💧

2024: A Year in Review at the Edwards Aquifer Authority💧 This year, we made a splash with some incredible milestones: 📚 5,000 people gained aquifer knowledge at the EAA Education Outreach Center (EAA EOC) 💧 1,940 Edwards Aquifer permit holders helped us manage this vital resource 🌿 Implemented ~10 land management and nature-based solutions at the Field Research Park 🏫 About 75 schools enjoyed free field trips to the EAA EOC 🐟 Protected 8 threatened or endangered species under the EAHCP 🌦️ 90,000 gallons of water collected in our rainwater harvesting system 🚰 Managed 572,000 acre-feet of water, the pumping cap of the Edwards Aquifer 🌱 Hosted 1,500 people at events like Green Garden Wonderland, the Summit, and our Plant Giveaway Thank you for joining us in learning, protecting, and preserving the Edwards Aquifer. Here’s to making an even bigger impact in 2025!💙 #YearInReview #EdwardsAquifer #Sustainability #AquiferAwareness

🆕The Recharge Zone Podcast | Season 5, Episode 6 | 2024 Reflections https://lnkd.in/gZ68EwAe

Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Green Growth and Community Impact!🌱💚 This year, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) planted seeds of sustainability that truly flourished. We kicked off with a Volunteer Appreciation Event, celebrating those whose dedication set the tone for a year where green was more than a color—it was a movement. In October, the Texas Native Plants Giveaway, sponsored by the H-E-B Tournament of Champions, empowered residents to create their own green spaces, while the Second Annual EAA Summit brought leaders together to secure the aquifer’s sustainable future.🌿 The year ended with Santa’s Green Garden Wonderland at H-E-B on Bulverde Rd. & 1604, blending holiday magic with eco-friendly fun through free photos with Santa and sustainable treats.🎅🌍 Here’s to a year of growth, community, and conservation! Manage💧Enhance💧Protect #EAA2024 #SustainabilityInAction #GreenMovement #WaterConservation

Meet Larry Jackson, our new Executive Director for External & Regulatory Affairs!🌟 Growing up in the Texas Hill Country, Larry developed a deep appreciation for nature through camping, hiking, and floating down local rivers. With over 30 years of experience in customer service, communications, and water utility operations, he’s passionate about sustainability and preserving the Edwards Aquifer for future generations. Join us in welcoming Larry to the team as we continue our mission to manage, enhance, and protect this vital resource! Manage 💧Enhance💧 Protect #EAAEOC #WaterSustainability #EdwardsAquifer #SATX

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us here at the Edwards Aquifer Authority!✨We hope your holidays are filled with joy, peace, and time with loved ones. As a reminder, our offices will be closed December 24th, 25th, and 26th. Wishing you a Happy Holiday season and a wonderful start to 2025!🌟 Manage💧Enhance💧Protect #EAALearning #HappyHolidays #EdwardsAquifer #MerryChristmas

Farmers drive their tractors for miles and miles tending to their crops all the while irrigating with water saving pivots! 🚜DYK? For the past 14 years our agency has provided grants to agriculture producers to install sprinklers and micro-irrigation systems that improve water efficiency while continuing their farming activities. The success of our Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Program is due to the commitment of the EAA’s agriculture communities to do their part in effectively managing the Edwards Aquifer!💧

"When it comes to managing, enhancing and protecting the Edwards Aquifer, the proof is in the data! Aquifer data is collected by the EAA in the form of water “levels” measured within two index wells – the J-17 in Bexar County and the J-27 in Uvalde County – and reported relative to mean sea level. The EAA, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), also monitors, records and reports the rate of springflows in cubic feet per second (cfs) emanating from the Comal and San Marcos springs systems. Collectively, these data points serve as the key indicators of the state of the aquifer in terms of water pressure in the system. More water in the system means more pressure pushing water up and out of the system resulting in higher measured aquifer levels and higher rates of springflows. Having such data on record and under continuous monitoring provides a scientific rationale for managing aquifer use the way we do. This data provides a technical basis for imposing pumping reductions and for triggering other conservation measures during droughts, such as we are currently experiencing. It also serves as benchmarks to validate the effectiveness of drought and conservation measures over time. This gives us confidence that our programs – regulatory and non-regulatory – can be measured and evaluated for effectiveness and, if necessary, modified to achieve desired conservation while maximizing the availability of water from the Edwards Aquifer. It’s this robust monitoring and data collection system that enables a balanced approach to managing, enhancing, and protecting the Edwards Aquifer to the benefit of all users." -Roland Ruiz, EAA General Manager Manage💧Enhance💧Protect #EdwardsAquifer #AquiferData #SouthTexas #AquiferConservation #WaterConservation #SanAntonio #SATX #AquiferScience #WaterScience #ComalSprings #SanMarcosSprings