By Andy Sevilla.
The Hays Quarry in Buda was successful last week in attaining a two million gallon ground water permit from the Middle Trinity Aquifer, which company representatives said they will use to supplement their existing water source for dust suppression as work in the rock quarry expands northward.
Industrial Asphalt and Aggregates, who petitioned the Barton Springs Edward Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) for the permit, operates the quarry and provides raw materials for the construction of roads, bridges, houses and schools, according to its website.
The firm already uses about 4.5 million gallons of Buda city potable, i.e., drinkable, water for dust control on roads, work areas, common areas and stockpiles.
In a unanimous vote at their Dec. 12 meeting, BSEACD board members easily approved the two million gallon per year water permit, which seven years ago was turned down on a 25 million gallon ground water permit request from the Edwards Aquifer.
“I think to go from 25 million (gallons) to two (million gallons) and have a good operation there, I think is a success,” BSEACD board president Mary Stone said just before the group’s unanimous approval.
Stone said that Industrial Asphalt’s request for about 25 million gallons of groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer seven years ago was “obviously a huge concern to our community.” She said the company’s successful use of new technology to minimize water consumption, and their request for Middle Trinity Aquifer water instead of from the Edwards Aquifer, were welcome changes.
Industrial Asphalt representative Tommy Matthews explained to BSEACD board members that a little over a year ago, he met with BSEACD general manager John Dupnik to discuss a water potential ground water permit request that could pass muster.
“We ultimately determined that a more appropriate step would be to take a smaller two million gallons, add that to augment what they’re already doing in terms of dust control, provide some flexibility during times of drought and some alternative water sources,” Matthews told board members, adding that the additional water from the Middle Trinity Aquifer would allow BSEACD and the applicant to collect water quality data.
Matthews said trucks hauled Buda city water to the quarry in 2012, at an estimated cost of $35,000.
“Long term, the better solution for this facility is to have on-site water supply and eliminate all [that] additional truck traffic. It’s about 1,700 truckloads a year on that road, and ultimately we’d like to eliminate that, but first we have to answer some questions: How does this (Middle Trinity Aquifer) water - what’s it like? How does it apply? And what does it give us?” Matthew said.
And water quality is a concern for many, specifically the effects water from the Middle Trinity Aquifer could potentially have on the Edwards Aquifer as it trickles its way in there. The Hays Quarry is located in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and any water used for dust suppression at the quarry could make its way into the aquifer.
For that reason, BSEACD staff recommended, and board members approved, special provisions tied to the revised terms. Per the approved permit, Industrial Asphalt will comply with and submit to the BSEACD copies of water quality samplings and reports, allow the district access to the wells and prior to initiating a dye trace study, the company will meet with the district and other stakeholders to discuss methods of evaluating groundwater flow paths, among other issues.
Because the water permit is not greater than two million gallons, it is not believed that it would affect production at any other wells. However the pump test that would identify any such issue was not warranted because the permit request fell under the requirement threshold by one gallon, Dupnik said.
The Middle Trinity Aquifer is a major, and sometimes only, source of water for large portions of western Hays County.
