Dear Editor:
I read with interest the letter from David and Renee Rogers, of June 13, 2024, regarding water issues in the Texas Hill Country. They noted that they had installed a rainwater catchment system at their home and captured 13,600 gallons of pure rainwater. Having installed a 40,000 gallon rainwater system at my home, I can agree that the initial cost of such a system is a stretch for many homeowners. However, there is an idea that has been proposed to the Texas Water Development Board that would ease the financial burden of the rainwater system installations.
The TWDB has an ongoing process whereby area elected and appointed representatives develop regional plans and projects for allocation of State funds for water supply and water system improvements. The projects are then graded and approved for funding. With the overdrafting of the area aquifers, rainwater collection systems can be part of the Hill Country’s solution to diminishing groundwater availability.
The proposal, which has been presented to TWDB Region K and Region L, would create a “RAIN FUND” that would provide incentives to homeowners to install domestic rainwater collection systems. An initial allocation of several million dollars would be authorized to be administered by either the county or the local groundwater district. Persons desiring to install a rainwater collection system could apply for a no-interest loan from the “RAIN FUND” that could pay for onehalf of the system cost with the loan to be repaid over a ten year period. As the loan is repaid, the fund rebuilds and is self-sustaining. The net result is a fund that has almost zero cost to the agency administering it, except some staff administrative expense. The benefits can be huge by incentivizing rainwater systems and reducing the use of groundwater. Local water managers are aware of this idea, but need to hear from concerned citizens who believe that the idea has merit and would benefit the Texas Hill Country.
Jim McMeans 817-360-0138 [email protected] The Wimberley View accepts letters to the editor on issues of interest to the community. Letters must be from individuals, not groups, and address issues rather than personalities. All letters must be signed. The View reserves the right to edit for length or content. The View does not endorse the content expressed in letters published. Send letters to the editor to:
