Investment Opportunities
Our Projects
Research Opportunities
The Edwards Aquifer Authority conducts aquifer science and research daily. This provides us with the basis for understanding and insights necessary to plan the future wellbeing of the Edwards Aquifer. This research requires sophisticated instrumentation and financial support. Here are a few examples.
Monitoring/research Equipment & Computer Systems
In addition to the weather stations, funding for various monitoring/research equipment purchases would accelerate research in key areas, including land management practices throughout the Aquifer Region. They range from Evaporative Transpiration Towers, to stream gauges, and new computer systems to more effectively analyze the millions of points of data we collect daily.
- Cluster computer – desired to take tremendous amounts of data captured from monitoring stations and perform various analytical correlation studies.
- Research monitoring wells
- Evaporative Transpiration Measuring Stations
- Steam gauges – to measure stream water flows in the protected areas
Weather Stations
Rain Gauges
Weather Stations
- We currently have 22 stations throughout the region and are attempting to place five more when the funding makes itself available.
- In addition to rainfall, the new weather stations are envisioned to measure and display (via internet) temperature, solar radiation, soil moisture, wind speed. (current stations collect the same parameters).
- Currently, we have 74 rain gauges that only collect rainfall data. We are looking for funding to upgrade these.
Enhancement & Protection Opportunities
Abandoned Well Closures
To properly seal abandoned or deteriorated wells throughout the EAA’s jurisdiction, the EAA is in need for additional funding. The EAA uses a sophisticated threat ranking system to determine which wells are the most significant threats to the aquifer. With additional funding, the EAA can address the most serious threats quickly.
Regulated Substance Storage Tank Installation and/or Upgrade
The EAA has established a program to provide financial assistance to registered, agricultural facility owner/operators for obtaining secondary containment (protective equipment upgrades) for regulated, aboveground storage tanks (AST). This program helps protect the aquifer from accidents by adding additional protective equipment to existing tanks or by replacing potentially compromised tanks with modern protective tanks.
Wells
Plugged Wells
Water Conservation
Conserving groundwater is important to the effective management and sustainability of the Edwards Aquifer. Below are some of the programs we could expand with additional funding:
Eradicating Flood Irrigation
One focus of the EAA’s conservation equipment grants has been to help eradicate the process of flood irrigation (a low efficiency practice) in our region. By utilizing information obtained in grant applications that were received by the EAA but were not funded, it has been determined that there are at least 1,230 existing acres that are irrigated through flood irrigation practices.
Leak Detection
The focus of the EAA’s leak detection grant is to assist smaller utilities in identifying system leaks so that they can be remedied.
Abandoned Well – Closure and Equipment
Through the process of time, the normal course of changing land use, or in some cases the expansion of municipal water distribution systems, many groundwater wells become abandoned or deteriorated without being properly plugged or capped. This can result in wells serving as direct conduits for pollutants to contaminate the aquifer – creating a potential health risk to the groundwater supply.
Education Outreach Center
The $3 million EAA Education Outreach Center encompasses 3,500 square feet and features unique learning experiences that challenge the imagination! Open to the public and free of charge, the EAA Education Outreach Center provides a platform to educate young and old alike!
Square Feet
Students
The EAA Education Program strives to educate and inform minds – because with the fertile minds of the young, and the young-at-heart, great things are possible! Located at Morgan’s Camp, the Education Outreach Center provides an experience open to all, and free of charge. The importance of water and water conservation are explained and highlighted through unique displays and exhibits that will grab and hold your attention.
The Conservancy is open to major naming opportunities for the Education Outreach Center.
Field Research Park & Observatory
The Edwards Aquifer Conservancy was granted a $5.5 million gift of protected lands – approximately 150 acres. It provides access of the lands to the Edwards Aquifer Authority. The EAAhas taken the property, now known as the Field Research Park, and has initiated science-based initiatives to collect groundwater levels, water quality data, soil sampling and mapping of karst features like springs or seeps in the area. Additionally, land management techniques are being studied and assessed for their potential efficacy in increasing both the yield and quality of water entering the Edwards Aquifer.
+ Acres of Land
To enhance the ongoing research, a Field Research Observatory built on the premises would enhance and elevate the scientific analysis and maintenance of the various field experiments. The principal purpose of the EAA Field Research Park & Observatory is to develop, research, and implement practices that lead to enhanced water quality and quantity for the region. The Observatory would be a signature facility at the Field Research Park, offering unparalled access and collaboration among scientists and researchers from within and outside the region, and throughout the world.
The Conservancy is open to major naming opportunities for the Field Research Park and Field Research Observatory.