Further discussion on a Houston-based firm’s request for nearly one billion gallons of Middle Trinity aquifer groundwater is heading into the court system.
On July 12, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) board of directors unanimously approved for the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) to hold a contested case hearing for Electro Purification’s water permit request.
EP seeks to pump 912.5 million gallons of water from its test wells in western Hays County for wholesale water consumption. Ed McCarthy, an attorney representing EP, said the firm’s sole contract is with the Goforth Special Utility District. McCarthy said Goforth “would like more water than we have available.”
Bill Dugat, legal counsel for BSEACD, said EP filed a July 5 request to have the permit referred to the SOAH, which will offer a recommendation to BSEACD for judgement. Dugat said the district has the ultimate say on the permit, and can choose to follow or modify SOAH’s recommendation.
