The cost of water will probably increase soon for many county residents because of the state’s plan to create groundwater conservation districts. Johnson County has not joined a district, but it’s just a matter of time — the state has required it. Affected counties must either voluntarily join a district or be placed in one by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The deadline to form a district is in 2009. Groundwater conservation districts, also known as GCDs, primarily receive financing from one of two methods. Residents pay a property tax, which must be approved by voters, or well-production fees — a use-based approach. Use fees usually kick in when a well owner pumps more than 25,000 gallons per day.
A GCD is a local governmental unit authorized by the Legislature and ratified by voters of the commissioners courts of the participating counties to manage and protect groundwater. In many parts of the state, more groundwater is being used because of growth and development than is being replenished through natural means. Districts may comprise one or more counties. GCDs are based on county lines and generally don’t cover an aquifer because aquifers are based on geological formations, not political boundaries. An aquifer may be managed by several GCDs.
Of all the water Texans use, about 60 percent is groundwater and 40 percent surface water, according to “Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas,” a publication of the Texas Cooperative Extension. GCDs do not control the use of surface water. Agricultural needs form the bulk of groundwater use although several cities, such as Amarillo, El Paso and San Antonio, use it to supply everyday water.
Cleburne, on the other hand, derives less than 5 percent of it’s water from groundwater, Public Works Director Russell Schreiber estimated. In addition to Lake Pat Cleburne and Lake Aquilla, the city uses seven water wells, he said. The wells usually only pump more than 25,000 per day during summer, Russell said.
Burleson’s water comes from Fort Worth, which only uses surface water, said David Smith, Burleson assistant director of public works. Joshua receives water from the Johnson County Special Utilities District, which uses about 70 percent surface water and 30 percent well, or groundwater. Keene likewise uses a combination of surface and groundwater. Alvarado, Godley, Grandview and Rio Vista rely solely on groundwater.
GCDs work to responsibly protect water resources while protecting the rights of private landowners. They do so by working to prevent waste, preventing irreparable harm to aquifers, collecting data and educating people on water conservation.
Who is affected?
Under the use-based option, those owning water wells that pump more than 25,000 gallons per day are affected. Municipalities in GCDs are generally included, even though the Texas Water Code is not clear on the question.
Exemptions are given for wells used solely for domestic needs, livestock and poultry on a tract of land larger than 10 acres and that can’t produce more than 25,000 gallons per day, according to the Texas Water Code. Certain wells producing more than 25,000 gallons may also be exempt based on the rules of specific GCDs. More importantly, for many, is that water wells drilled for oil and gas exploration are exempt. But the amount of water energy companies use will be monitored.
Creating GCDs
Several methods exist to create GCDs. Property owners can petition for one from TCEQ, or the TCEQ can create one. Another method involves special legislation introduced by a local state senator or representative.
GCDs funded by property taxes require voter approval. Those funded by use fees require ratification from the commissioners courts of the counties affected. Once created, GCDs are governed by a board of directors chosen from the participating counties.
Johnson County commissioners addressed the situation in a February meeting attended by State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, and State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth. The idea at the time was for Johnson to possibly join Tarrant and other counties to form a GCD. Johnson County commissioners made no decision, and Tarrant County subsequently became a stand-alone GCD. Geren said he remains amenable to joining other counties in a district, though he added that that decision would be the prerogative of the Tarrant County GCD’s board of directors and would also require new legislation.
“I don’t really think there are benefits to going alone,” Geren said. “I’d prefer [having a GCD] to manage the entire or most of the aquifer instead of just what’s beneath us.”
Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said he and representatives from Hill, Bosque and McLennan counties, met with State Sen. Kip Averitt, R-McGregor, who agreed to sponsor legislation in the next session creating a GCD, which would include Johnson County. Averitt represents Johnson County and Central Texas counties.
County commissioners have expressed reservations over the need for and usefulness of GCDs.
“I mean I’m all for conservation, and I guess the state is going to do whatever it wants to do, but I just hate to see controls forced on people, and this is going to be forced on everyone one way or the other,” Commissioner R.C. McFall said.
Harmon agreed.
“The state’s put everyone on notice that if we don’t get together and form these, they’re going to do it for us,” Harmon said.
That’s all the more reason to work toward forming one, Commissioner Don Beeson said.
“Since it’s mandated that we do something, I personally would like to see us form one before the state does it for us so that we have a little more input and control,” Beeson said.
All three said they prefer the multi- over the single-county model, something Averitt is also pushing. They also said they would rather Johnson County join smaller or similar-sized counties to form the district. All three said they hope to finalize plans to form a district within the next year.
Johnson County commissioners said any GCD Johnson County joins would have to be use-based, as opposed to supported by property taxes.
“I’ll tell you right quick — I certainly don’t want to put any tax burden on our people to fund a water district,” McFall said.
Commissioners called the exemption for oil and gas companies unfair.
“My biggest heartburn in this whole thing is that individuals and individual businesses can be regulated but not the oil and gas companies,” McFall said. “I just don’t see that.”
Commissioner John Matthews, in the February meeting, said it was good the GCD would monitor water use by oil and gas companies, but said he still had a problem with them being exempt.
“We already have an uproar caused by citizens concerned over trucks tearing the roads up and pipelines,” Matthews said. “Now here’s another concern in the side of guys who have small ranching concerns and are going to be regulated by this.”
Harmon said Johnson County will work toward forming a GCD because it has no choice.
“But it needs to be fair,” Harmon said. “So we’re going to continue to lobby the Legislature to make the oil and gas industry be regulated like everyone else.”
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
If you pump for it ... you'll pay for it
- Cleburne
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
-
Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
-
Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
-
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
- Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
- Drought no more
- Number of sex offenders increases
- Council approves trash truck purchases
-
Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
-
Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
-
Indians on top of selections
- Godley
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
-
Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
-
Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
-
Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Kicking into high gear
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
-
-
Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
- Grandview, Burleson, Cleburne lead first team selections
- Centennial places two on second team; Alvarado lands three players
-
Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
-
Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
-
Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
-
Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
- Man defends himself against two suspects
- Venus registers minor quake
- USGS registers minor county quake
- Trained rescue dogs look to be adopted and loved
-
Never forgotten
