exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas lawmakers passed more than 1,100 bills during the 88th Legislature, and 774 of those are about to go into effect. Here’s a guide to notable laws to look out for.

The Brazos River Authority (BRA) has initiated a Stage 2 Drought Warning for the East Williamson County Regional Water System (EWCRWS) at Lake Granger. The warning impacts Taylor, Jonah Water SUD, and Lone Star Regional Water Authority and mandates a 10% reduction in water usage, effective immediately.

Fourteen flood reduction projects in Tarrant County will be eligible for millions in state infrastructure funds after Trinity River officials finalized their regional plan in June. The Trinity Regional Flood Planning group formed in 2020 as part of an effort to create Texas’ first statewide flood plan in the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s devastating impact on the Gulf Coast. The group’s target region encompasses the entire length of the Trinity River basin, from Dallas-Fort Worth down to Liberty County near Houston. 

In the midst of this Houston drought, water is at a premium. The Texas Legislature formed its first-ever Water Caucus this past session to address issues statewide, and some of the state's record surplus is going to help an underserved community in unincorporated Harris County.

In these times of extreme heat, trees should be given priority over other landscape plants, including lawns. A lawn left unwatered will naturally go dormant for the season and turn brown, but can turn green again after rain or watering.

You may have noticed an earth or musty taste and smell of your tap water recently. The changes are due to an increase in algae growth due to current hot weather conditions, which typically occurs this time of year. The algae contain a non-toxic organic compound (2-Methylisoborneol)) that changes the water’s taste and odor, even in small amounts. Despite the presence of this compound, the water remains safe to drink and for all other uses. 

Officials with the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District anticipate declaring a Stage 4 exceptional drought, an unprecedented move expected to have wide impacts across the area.

Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners will vote Thursday on whether to adopt a policy that would restrict its power to use eminent domain. The board asked department staff to draft a policy in June after the commissioners voted in favor of taking steps to condemn a 5,000-acre property containing now-closed Fairfield Lake State Park. 

The city said Wednesday prolonged hot and dry weather, record consumption, and main breaks have put stress on the water treatment and distribution system. Due to water production quantity and record consumption, all customers are strongly encouraged to conserve water and reduce outdoor watering, only watering from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. until further notice, the city said.

A man who grew up on the Neches River was searching the low water near Beaumont when he found five sunken ships.

Water suppliers across the area have been struggling to meet customer demand in the wake of one of the harshest summers to hit the state of Texas. As continuous over 100-degree temperatures take a toll on the community, some of the area’s bodies of water are seeing near record-breaking low levels. 

Hundreds of Parker, Murphy, Allen and Wylie residents have rightly opposed the issuance of the discharge permit by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the first hurdle in approval of a new wastewater treatment facility for a planned 600-home subdivision a mile away from Southfork Ranch. Area residents worry the facility will contaminate the family-friendly creek, harm local wildlife, cause flooding and reduce their property values. Some, including Lindy “Buddy” Pilgrim, believe efforts by the powerful Huffines family to obscure its role behind the project has made the whole mess all the more aggravating.

Recent research suggests that the rising heat and flash droughts linked to climate change could push more farmers to consider installing irrigation equipment despite the high expense. That's if they even can. Some places in the U.S. are already struggling with groundwater depletion, such as California, Arizona, Nebraska and other parts of the central Plains.

The demand for electricity may briefly exceed the supply around 7:40 p.m. Aug. 24, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ forecast. Officials said Texans can help maintain the power grid by conserving energy.

Liberty Hill City Council approved increased rates as well as the water and wastewater master plans. According to the city’s rate study, the January 2019 water rate—which were the previous charges—for in-city residential and commercial customers was a monthly minimum charge of $35.09. The new water rate, which is scheduled to begin in October, is a monthly minimum charge of $37.95.

The City of Claude is seeing a sizeable uptick in demand for groundwater. City leaders attribute the increased demand to new businesses A recent $1.3 million dollar investment is ensuring water to customers after tapping into the city’s reserves to pay for the project.

Officials said there has been an increase in reports of lower water pressure across the city. Now, they're asking Houstonians to limit outdoor watering to a twice-a-week schedule based on your home address.