by Wes Pitts
[dropcap]D[/dropcap]ripping Springs can provide the wastewater capacity this community needs with a no-discharge solution. We can protect our drinking water, and serve growth responsibly. The City is currently pursuing authorization to discharge 995k gallons per day (gpd) of treated sewage into Onion Creek and regardless of stated intentions, they have refused to commit to a no-discharge solution.
Groundwater scientists have shown strong evidence that Onion Creek recharges the aquifer that local wells draw from, meaning that public and private drinking water wells could be contaminated by treated sewage. The groundwater districts charged with protecting groundwater all oppose the discharge plan because of the threats to Onion Creek and groundwater. The Texas Water Development Board has acknowledged, “Any pollution into Onion Creek could result in contamination” of the aquifer “currently providing groundwater to the WSC wells.” We asked the City for its own data or analysis showing that groundwater will not be contaminated, but have received no response.
