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2	Recharge and Recirculation Carol Patterson Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors Meeting August 8, 2006
3	Recharge and Recirculation- a major new Water Supply and Springflow Strategy Recharge and Recirculation is: a collection of water management strategies that adds enhanced recharge to the Edwards Aquifer and holds that enhanced recharge in aquifer storage until needed for Water Supply and for protection of Springflows and Downstream Flows in critical times
4	New “firm yield” Water Supply would come from: 1. Recharge Recovery Rights 2. Diminishing Critical Period Reductions
5	Water Sources for Recharge Enhancement 1. Streams Crossing Recharge Zone 2. Edwards Permits otherwise unused 3. Diversions from Rivers Other sources can be added in the future, such as recharge from brush control.
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8	Estimates of Average Water Available for Enhanced Recharge to Edwards Aquifer 1. Streams crossing recharge zone 149,000 af/y 2. Edwards Permits otherwise unused Regular Permits 106,526 af/y Junior Rights 99,000 af/y (when available) 3. River Diversions Guadalupe River 123,200 af/y Medina River 57,970 af/y References: Phase II, R&R Analysis; EAA; Trans-Texas Water Program
9	Past Estimates of average water costs for enhanced recharge to Edwards Aquifer: Streams crossing recharge zone $220 / af/y Edwards Permits otherwise unused Regular Permits $300 / af/y Junior Rights less than $300 /af/y River Diversions : Guadalupe River $267 / af/y Medina River $281 / af/y These estimates of costs will be updated in Phase III, R&R Analysis. References: Phase II, R&R Analysis; EAA; Trans-Texas Water Program
10	“Recirculation” strategy retains enhanced recharge water in Aquifer Storage This allows water managers to hold water in the Aquifer until needed: 1. For “firm yield” Water Supply in the Edwards Region 2. For “critical time” Springflow and Downstream flow We believe this strategy supports a win/win/win for the Edwards Region, Springflow Interests, and the Downstream Region
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13	EAA has Recharge Recovery rules in place now Sec. 711.261 (a), EAA Rules This EAA Rule allows a permittee who builds an enhanced recharge project to withdraw water at any time that has previously been added to Aquifer Storage under a “Recharge Recovery Permit,” as long as the water added to Aquifer Storage has not been discharged as additional springflow.
14	EAA Recharge Recovery Rights are protected, reliable Permits 1. Recharge Recovery Rights are not subject to Critical Period Reduction, unlike Regular Permits [EAA Rules, Sec. 711.260] 2. Recharge Recovery Rights are not subject to reductions of the regional Pumping Caps, unlike Regular Permits [EAA Rules, Sec. 711.260] 3. Recharge Recovery Rights do not expire on the last day of the year, but carry forward to the next year, unlike Regular Permits [EAA Rules, Sec. 711.261 (b)]
15	The Recharge & Recirculation Analysis Phase I and Phase II of the Recharge & Recirculation Analysis have been completed. The EAA and SAWS are preparing to fund Phase III of the Recharge & Recirculation Analysis, to be completed in ten months.
16	Information expected from Phase III, Recharge & Recirculation Analysis Estimates of the costs and firm yield to Water Supply for both Recharge and Recovery Rights and diminished Critical Period Reductions Benefit calculations from dedicating portions of R&R water sources to “critical time” springflow at Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs Benefit calculations from dedicating portions of R&R water sources to “critical time” benefits to downstream flow in the Guadalupe River
17	Who will pay for Phase III? The staffs of EAA and SAWS are currently negotiating a cost-sharing arrangement to pay for Phase III of the Recharge and Recirculation Analysis, to be considered by the Boards of the EAA and SAWS.
18	Results from Phase I and Phase II Phase I and Phase II did preliminary runs on the new Edwards model showing retention times for numerous recharge locations. Phase II showed that by using a portion of the potential sources of water for Enhanced Recharge on a once-through basis (without Recirculation), combined with present Critical Period EAA Rules, some springflow can be maintained at Comal Springs throughout the drought of record.
19	Other Potential Sources for Recharge Enhancement Brush Control in Recharge Zone and Catchment Area to enhance Edwards recharge “Catchment Area” Recharge dams Enhanced Recharge from sources outside the current study area These potential sources may be analyzed in future R&R studies.
20	What benefits are being studied? 1. Benefits to long-term reliable Water Supply in the Edwards region 2. Benefits to springflow in critical times 3. Benefits to downstream flow in critical times
21	Action Items 1. Complete the R&R Analysis, Phase III. 2. Preserve R&R options in the next legislative session. 3. Sponsors can apply to EAA for Recharge Recovery Permits and Critical Period benefits. 4. EAA can coordinate Springflow Protection Projects and leverage federal money.
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