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Lockhart tentatively joins GBRA 'Water Secure' planning MOU for long‑term regional supply
Summary
Council gave preliminary approval to enter a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to participate in GBRA’s Water Secure planning process, a regional supply project GBRA preliminarily estimated at about $6 billion; the MOU identifies Lockhart's possible future need between roughly 4.2 and 7.03 million gallons per day.
Lockhart City Council gave preliminary approval on July 15 to enter a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Guadalupe‑Blanco River Authority (GBRA) to participate in the agency’s Water Secure long‑term regional water supply planning effort.
GBRA staff said preliminary engineering work since early 2023 has produced a concept called Water Secure, which would combine existing run‑of‑river rights, off‑channel reservoirs, aquifer storage and recovery, treatment, delivery facilities and integrated use of brackish and fresh groundwater. GBRA told council the project is complex and expensive; staff cited a preliminary cost estimate “about $6,000,000,000.”
GBRA explained the MOU is nonbinding and intended to identify interested parties and quantities. For planning purposes, the study indicated Lockhart’s long‑term need could range from about 4.2 to 7.03 million gallons per day (MGD) by 2045 under different growth scenarios; GBRA staff said a conservative planning figure for Lockhart used in the analysis is 6.56 MGD (about 7,348 acre‑feet per year).
GBRA representatives described next steps: procuring a contract manager (targeted in October), pursuing funding options in the first quarter of next year (including state programs such as TWDB and SWIFT), and a potential construction kick‑off date in May 2026 if funding and planning proceed. GBRA emphasized that participation in the MOU does not prevent a city from pursuing well‑field upgrades or other local supply options.
Council asked about regional permitting and groundwater district matters. Staff noted GBRA has applied to increase permitted withdrawals in parts of the aquifer in other underground water conservation districts and that related district public meetings are underway; GBRA said the Water Secure project would require statewide cooperation and funding if it proceeds.
Council’s motion to approve entering the MOU was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gonzales Sanchez and seconded by Councilman John Larson; the motion passed.
