Mirasol Springs development pursues alternative water source following pushback
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Mirasol Springs, a "conservation-scale" development in western Travis County, may soon have permission for a new source of water. In exchange, the development would no longer have the option to access groundwater through wells or surface water from the Pedernales River.
On Sept. 3, the developers, Mirasol Capital, requested water service from the West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA). As part of the service request, the developers would construct a service line to their site for homes, cabins and a hotel.
The service line will only provide enough water for this development, according to the WTCPUA.
WTCPUA board members will vote on the proposal Thursday, Oct. 17, at Bee Cave City Hall at 1 p.m.
A representative with the WTCPUA told KXAN that "We’re agreeing to serve Mirasol only and the reason we are considering it is to relieve capacity from the Trinity Aquifer and the Pedernales River".
Water provided to WTCPUA is drawn from Lake Travis. The organization is a publicly owned water and wastewater utility that provides service to western Travis and northern Hays Counties.
A spokesperson for Mirasol Springs provided the following statement regarding the new water source.
“The opportunity to work with the WTCPUA creates a solution that eliminates Pedernales River water diversion and groundwater pumping," the spokesperson said. "It will address all stated concerns raised by Save The Pedernales, Save Our Springs and related groups.”
Concerns about development and water
At a meeting with the Travis County Groundwater Conservation District in January, people spoke out against the development. One landowner sang a song. "Not enough water… not enough water to go around…"
“Even the experts are saying it could severely affect the springs here that drive Hamilton Pool,” said landowner Lew Adams alongside Hamilton Pool on Oct. 7. Adams’ property, the Roy Creek Canyon Reserve, is surrounded on three sides by the Mirasol Springs project.
"I don't want to see any developments that are going to be taking away water from what little we get here along Hamilton Creek and into Hamilton Pool," said Travis County Judge Andy Brown.
What is in the water service proposal?
The developer is requesting enough water for a few dozen homes, cottages, a hotel and a restaurant. The service line will be constructed at the "Developer's sole cost and expense".
The water won't be immediately accessible. According to the paperwork filed with the WTCPUA, service is "contingent on additional facilities being built that are required to serve this development and service will not be available until such facilities are constructed."
A representative with the WTCPUA told KXAN that these facilities will not finished until 2027.
Of note, during Thursday's meeting, the board will also vote on an amendment to their water and sewage service and development policies. The amendment will limit the construction of new "Non-Standard Water Service" from the Hamilton Pool lines.
The new restrictions include:
- Developments with 1 service unit (LUE) per 10 acres average and that enter into Non-Standard Service Agreements that prohibit use of groundwater or surface water for irrigation or potable uses from sources other than WTCPUA.
- Supporting capacity for existing developments
- Local government or public uses such as county or school district projects
Pushback against the new plan
Activists do not think the new plan will be beneficial to the region.
"Any expansion in water services and water pipelines has been shown to increase development and increase groundwater pumping," said Victoria Rose, staff attorney for the Save Our Springs Alliance.
Rose cited a 2016 study conducted by the Meadows Center at Texas State. In that study, hydrologist Doug Wierman found that "pumpage by non-exempt permit holders in Northern Hays County has remained relatively steady over the last 10 years", even during a drought.
"I would kind of use the metaphor of just putting, like, a Band-Aid on a little scratch on your toe, and maybe it's fine, but five, ten years later, you pull off the Band-Aid and your toe is falling off," Rose said.
Rose said that advocates want to prevent any future development, requesting that all 1,400 acres of Mirasol Springs be placed in a conservation easement. Realistically, they would like to see a 75% reduction in the water usage plan to "match their ethos of being a conservation development."
Mirasol Springs and Conservation
Mirasol Springs' developers say the project will set the "gold standard" for the future of the Texas Hill Country. The 1,400-acre development includes restrictions that aim to prevent damage to the land and local watershed. This includes restrictions on pesticides, impervious cover and private wells.
Seventy percent of the development is also placed in a conservation easement. This means that 1,000 acres of the land will not be open to future development.
Additionally, the developers have partnered with the University of Texas on a new field lab. The lab will give researchers access to the unique environment of the Texas Hill Country and is being funded by a $50 million grant from the family behind Mirasol Springs.