The High Plains Underground Water Conservation District (HPWD) Board of Directors approved $152,472 in funding requests for water-related research and demonstration projects at their June 14 meeting.
Research concerning groundwater quality and quantity in the Dockum Aquifer topped the list of requests presented to the HPWD Board of Directors.
An eight member committee, consisting of the HPWD general manager, two Board Members, three County Advisory Committee members, and two public members-at-large, evaluated the 10 proposals. Of these, seven were recommended for funding.
The approved projects are:
- Brackish Groundwater Quality Monitoring in the Dockum Aquifer.
- Bushland Elementary School Native/Xeric Landscape Demonstration Garden.
- Evaluation of the Depth and Water Quality of the Dockum Aquifer in Southwestern Potter County.
- Inclusion of Alternate Crops into Cropping Systems to Extend the Life of Limited Ground Water.
- Plant-based Polymers as Effective Treatment Agents in Removal of Dissolved Solids and Other Materials from the Dockum Aquifer.
- Small and Medium Scale Rainwater Harvesting Best Practices for Maximum Economic Value.
- Soil Endoscope for Subsurface Irrigation Uniformity Testing.
In other business, the district’s Board of Directors approved applications for water well permits received in May 2016; heard a progress report from Dr. Susan O’Shaughnessy with the USDA-ARS about HPWD funded research relating to Precise Mobile Drip Irrigation (PMDI) in corn production; and approved employee health care provider rates for 2016-2017.
The next HPWD Board meeting is set for July 12 in Lubbock. Agendas and meeting minutes are available online at www.hpwd.org/agendas
Created in 1951 by local residents and the Texas Legislature, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 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. It celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2016.
Visit www.hpwd.org for more information about the district. You can also follow HPWD on Facebook and Twitter.
(Press release from HPWD)
