water . . . water . . . where?
CONSERVING OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE

If you live in a region like South Texas, you know what a drought can mean – water restrictions, brown grass, dead plants, and even dying livestock. With no significant rainfall and record heat this summer, the area has suffered from a severe drought, and water conservation has been a popular subject. But for Velma Reyes Danielson (TLU ‘84), general manager of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), water conservation and managing South Central Texas’ principal water source is a never-ending challenge.

“Generally, conservation is an overarching ethic that we can all understand and agree on – we all help preserve the resource and conserve water,” she said. “But drought always adds an element of complexity. We’ve been through this before, so we know that it requires us to do more and communicate more about conservation.”

The Edwards Aquifer is one of the nation’s unique groundwater systems. Its geographic structure, with fractured and cavernous limestone, allows the aquifer to recharge itself as rainwater moves through the system. It is about 180 miles in length and serves as the primary source of water for approximately 2 million people in South Central Texas.

Velma Reyes Danielson, general manager od the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA).

“We are charged with managing and protecting the aquifer, and that means not only the people who use it, but also the other species that rely on it,” said Danielson.

For the most part, the EAA focuses on informing and regulating its permit holders – municipalities, industry, and agriculture and, to a lesser degree, the general public.

The EAA sets policies such as a critical period management plan that triggers mandatory water use restrictions during droughts (Stage I, Stage II, etc.) for its permit holders, and works with them to help communicate the conservation message.

In addition, the EAA provides educational curricula and materials to schools in order to increase awareness and understanding of the aquifer among elementary and middle school students.

“These are popular programs that affect future water users and their views on conservation and protection of the aquifer,” Danielson said.

Danielson has been with the Edwards for nearly 20 years. She graduated from Texas Lutheran in 1984 with a major in political science. She credits Dr. Layne Hoppe, professor emeritus of political science, for sparking her interest in public policy and encouraging her to attend the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs.

It was in graduate school that she became interested in environmental issues. After earning her master’s degree, she worked in Austin for a short while before moving to San Antonio where she took a job with the then Edwards Underground Water District.

The management of the Edwards Aquifer and the agency’s authority has changed dramatically, and her responsibilities have grown tremendously during her time with the agency. She was the assistant general manager until 2007 when she was named EAA general manager.

“It is extremely challenging and very interesting work. Twenty years working at the same place is a long time, but when I look back at all of the changes in groundwater law in Texas and groundwater management – I’ve been fortunate to have been here during that period,” she said.

As general manager, Danielson works with the 17-member board of directors to carry out the organization’s mission through the design, development, implementation, and administration of policies and programs aimed at managing, enhancing, and protecting the Edwards Aquifer. She is in frequent contact with elected officials, permit holders, and regional planning groups.

These measures seem to be working because, despite the population increase and the lack of rainfall, the aquifer levels seem to have stabilized.

“I certainly think the needle has moved as far as awareness of the aquifer, management of the aquifer, protection of the aquifer. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t still a lot of work to be done. But over the period since the EAA has been in operation, I definitely do see that the needle has moved,” she said.

“There is no question that conservation efforts by those all across the region are significant, and when you overlay that with our management system, it is evident people have become more aware of their water use.It all goes back to conservation – no doubt it is important, and it always will be.”