By Moses Leos III.
Having worked with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a period of time, Buda council woman Angela Kennedy knows water conservation is crucial.
It’s one of the reasons she chose a home with a rainwater collection system installed. She hopes the once antiquated tradition catches on, helping homeowners relieve pressure from Central Texas aquifers.
Welders begin the process of constructing a rainwater storage tank in Creedmoor for Jef Page, who owns Purple Fountain Tree in Buda. With Hays County offering property tax abatements for owners of rainwater systems, Page believes the process could take off in Hays County. (Courtesy photo) |
The process of collecting rainwater is “part of our Texas heritage,” according to Kennedy. While technology has changed the practice, the way it’s captured remains the same.
“Rainwater can be captured off of roofs … driveways or other hard surfaces,” Jef Page, owner of Purple Fountain Tree in Buda, said.
Over the years, Page has seen demand for rainwater collection systems increase. He said most of his business comes from Austin. Currently, that city offers homeowners a rebate on their rainwater collection systems, ranging from $50 to $5,000.
Many homeowners install smaller rain barrels or cisterns that help with irrigation purposes. However, Page also installs systems that transport and filter rainwater for potable purposes.
He says the size of rainwater collection systems depends on what the homeowner wants.
“People are looking for self sustainable water [sources],” he said. “Some homeowners look at 10,000 gallon [cisterns]. Some go up to 50,000 (gallons) for a single family home.”
Kyle residents Jane and Calvin Kirkham stand by their 12,500 gallon rainwater collection tank, which they brought in 2009. Since then, the Kirkhams use treated rainwater for every water-based use in their home. See next week’s Hays Free Press on local family living off rainwater. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
There are no permits required from the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) to place a rainwater harvesting system. However, Page finds the most blowback from city code enforcement and permitting.
Specifically concerns over the installation of backflow preventers, which are what “municipal water purveyors are concerned about,” according to Page.
Page believes rainwater collection could take off in Hays County.
It’s bolstered by incentives Hays County has regarding rainwater harvesting. Per Section 11.32 of the Texas Property Tax Code, the governing body of a taxing unit can exempt a portion or all property taxes with a qualifying rainwater harvesting system.
To qualify, property owners must file an exemption application, along with a $100 application fee to the Hays County Central Appraisal District (CAD). David Valle, Chief Appraiser at the Hays CAD, said the county places the value of the system on the property tax rolls. Only those who file the exemption can receive tax breaks.
Qualifications include having a minimum storage capacity of 2,500 gallons. Other health related criteria include a sunlight restrictive design, which prevents algae growth, and to ensure it’s insect proof.
Hays County Development Services then conducts an annual inspection.
“We ensure what the (CAD) was told is actually installed,” Clint Garza, Hays County Development and Community Services Director said. “It’s not an in-depth inspection. If someone says they have certain size tank, we are going to verify they are not trying to pass it off as something less.”
Once the system passes, Hays County then assesses their tax breaks. The CAD exempts 100 percent of the county’s property taxes, along with the special road tax. School, bond and Emergency Service District (ESD) taxes still apply.
But the drawback for some homeowners is the price of a system. Page says on average, a rainwater collection system costs $30,000 to $40,000.
The constantly replenished water supply is the upside. According to Page, certain homeowners can sustain for long periods of time, depending on the size of their tank.
Hays County is looking to expand incentives toward rainwater harvesting. This includes a loan program, which was presented to the Hays County Commissioner’s Court in recent weeks.
The importance of taking advantage of rainwater harvesting is ideal for Richard Parrish, Jr, Hays County Extension Agent at Texas A&M Agrilife.
“As we look at trends and projections, the population of Texas is going to increase. Water sources are not,” Parrish said. “We are in a situation where there are more people that we have water. We must explore other water sources.”
