DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – SJWTX, Inc. will enhance its water conservation efforts in the Deer Creek Water System with help from a $13,050 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The cost-share grant will help SJWTX, a privately held water utility, install new meter-reading software in the Deer Creek system north of Dripping Springs, making water use information available to the utility hourly instead of monthly. The Deer Creek system includes customers in northern Hays and southern Travis counties.
“SJWTX is excited to implement a new state-of-the-art water measuring technology in our Deer Creek service area in 2021,” said Larry Jackson, SJWTX’s director of customer service and communications. “Funded in part with a partnership with LCRA, this new technology will provide near-real time water usage information from each water meter that will allow better water usage forecasting and distribution, ultimately resulting in cost savings to our customers.”
In addition, the utility can use the information to notify customers of unusually high water usage, which can help customers detect leaks early, optimize irrigation and better manage their own water use.
The project is part of the second phase of a three-phase plan to improve water conservation and management efforts in the Deer Creek system. This phase includes the installation of two data collection towers and the transition to a new data management system.
“We are proud to work with LCRA to align our priorities to better manage water supply and consumption in order to preserve this precious resource,” Jackson said.
SJWTX anticipates the project will save about 11.25 acre-feet of water annually, or roughly 3.66 million gallons, from the Highland Lakes. The total project cost is $204,623.
John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water, said LCRA is proud to support SJWTX, Inc.’s water conservation plans.
“Projects like this play an important role in our region’s water conservation efforts,” Hofmann said. “Even in a relatively small water system, you can make a big difference by finding ways to use water efficiently and decrease water waste. New technology can support water conservation efforts in ways that weren’t available even a few years ago, and we’re pleased to support these efforts.”
The grant is awarded through LCRA’s Firm Water Conservation Cost-Share Program, which provides funding for water efficiency projects and programs established by LCRA’s firm water customers, including cities, utilities, industries and irrigation and recreational water users. Eligible projects must help reduce or maximize the efficient use of surface water, including water loss reduction efforts, equipment efficiency upgrades and conversion of irrigated areas from raw or potable water use to recycled water.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
