Although recent rain has eased drought conditions, one area city manager is not slowing his efforts to explore all options for an alternative city water supply for the future.

Mike Cypert, city manager of Abernathy, knows the groundwater stored in the Ogallala Aquifer is declining.  Because of this, he is working with the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District in Lubbock to learn more about the Dockum Aquifer and its potential as an additional water supply.

“HPWD will provide some cost-share funds to drill a test well into the Dockum Aquifer in 2016.  This will help us determine the quantity and quality of the groundwater in storage,” Cypert said.

The Dockum Aquifer lies beneath the Ogallala Formation in the Panhandle-South Plains region.  Groundwater in the Dockum Aquifer is generally brackish.  However, some municipalities are able to use it for drinking water purposes after blending it with water stored in the Ogallala Aquifer.

“The City of Abernathy knows that it can clean up the water to make it suitable for municipal use. However, we don’t know the quantity of water in the Dockum Aquifer in this area.  It is our hope that this test well and the information it provides will allow us to transition over time from the Ogallala Aquifer to the Dockum Aquifer as a municipal water source.  Abernathy wants to examine all opportunities in order to determine which one is the most cost-effective option for its residents,” Cypert said.

HPWD Board President Lynn Tate of Amarillo said assistance with the test well will be helpful to both the City of Abernathy and HPWD.

“During the past few years—and especially with the recent drought, there has been a great deal of interest in use of the Dockum Aquifer as an alternative water supply.  The HPWD Board of Directors believes it is the district’s obligation to help those communities that do not have long-term water supplies.  We are pleased to assist the City of Abernathy in their efforts to learn more about the Dockum Aquifer. 
Together, we will obtain valuable data and learn more about this potential water resource,” Tate said.

The HPWD Board of Directors approved several requests to fund research/demonstration projects during their June 9 regular meeting. Among these were an economic analysis to determine feasibility of groundwater supplementation from the Dockum Aquifer; a depth and salinity study of the Dockum Aquifer; an economic analysis of residential irrigation habits and landscape design; purchase and demonstration of a soil moisture sensor; enhanced agricultural irrigation research; an evaluation of precision mobile drip irrigation systems; and playa basin educational workshops.

Cypert added that this project is one of mutual interest and cooperation.

“The City of Abernathy is happy to work with HPWD We hope that this scenario can be replicated in other communities. Even with the rain, everyone needs to use their water as wisely as possible and be prepared for the future—including drought,” he said.

Created in 1951 by local residents and the Texas Legislature, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No.1 (www.hpwd.org) is charged with the responsibility of conserving, preserving, protecting, and preventing waste of groundwater within its 16-county service area. HPWD is the first groundwater conservation district created in Texas. 

(News release from the High Plains Water District)