New Braunfels Utilities supplies water, wastewater and electric power services to the
City of New Braunfels, Texas and surrounding properties. Until development of the first
surface water treatment plant ten years ago, New Braunfels relied on the Edwards
Aquifer as its sole source of drinking water. While reliance on the Edwards is diminished
by use of surface water, more water is needed to support the growth of this popular
Central Texas Community. The largest industry in the area, a local aggregates company,
has an Edwards Aquifer Authority Permit to withdraw 5,000 acre-feet (AF) per year of
Edwards Aquifer water for industrial uses. This water is used in their quarry operations
for dust control, aggregate washing, and wheel washing before trucks leave the property.
New Braunfels Utilities is studying the feasibility of supplying recycled water to the
quarry for these non-potable quarry uses. One concept being considered is to exchange
the quarries 5,000 AF allocation of Edwards Aquifer water rights for municipal purposes.
This paper presents results of the Feasibility Study and interaction with
multiple regulatory authorities. The Study also considered the potential to supply
another industrial Power Company with recycled water for cooling. The mechanics of
supplying most of the quarry needs with the diurnal flow variation from the two New
Braunfels Wastewater Treatment Plants could easily be resolved. The significant issues
to address are public and regulatory perception of use of recycled water over an area in
immediate proximity to the Comal Springs, the headwaters of the Guadalupe River, and
home of several federally protected species. This Study identifies the positive aspects to
be derived which include: increased spring flow by reduced pumping at the quarry;
reduced pollutant loading of the Guadalupe River and Lake Dunlap below the NBU
discharge; delay in expenditures for additional surface water resources; and, delay in
capital improvements for larger, higher quality wastewater treatment plants. Cost and
implementation schedule of the project are presented along with lessons learned
through the project. Includes tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 1.9 MB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 18 |
| Published : | 01/11/2004 |
