Fracking West Texas Dry

Governor Rick Perry issued a disaster proclamation January 14, 2014 due to drought in 121 Texas counties.  The Concho Valley is well represented in Perry's decree.

A new report finds that hydraulic fracturing is posing a growing risk to water supplies in several regions around the country. Only, instead of groundwater contamination that so often makes the headlines, it is from the massive consumption of fresh water in water-parched areas like Texas, Colorado, and California. Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) requires millions of gallons of water to frack single well, and in places that are suffering epic droughts, fracking is increasingly competing for access to water with other uses. 

The report, “Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Stress,” comes from Ceres, a network of investors, companies, and public interest groups that pushes investor money towards sustainable practices. Ceres finds that about three-quarters of all the 39,294 wells hydraulically fractured between January 2011 and May 2013 (the time period they studied) have occurred in water scarce areas, and more than half in areas suffering from drought.

Nowhere is the nexus of fracking and water starker than in the Eagle Ford Shale in south Texas, which produces over 1.2 million barrels of oil and 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The Eagle Ford suffers from the biggest water challenges out of any shale play in the United States. It has the highest water consumption out of any other shale formation in the country right now. Over 90% of the water used in the affected counties comes from groundwater, as opposed to surface water, contributing to the depletion of aquifers. 

The report finds that, “Texas is ground zero for water sourcing risks due to intense shale energy production in recent years.” And the problem of water use is compounded by the fact that Texas has been suffering from several years of meager rainfall. As Ceres notes, “over two-thirds of Texas continues to experience drought conditions, key groundwater aquifers are under stress and the state’s population is growing.”

Agriculture and the consumption of water in cities remain the largest sources of water consumption, much more than fracking, but drilling for oil and gas often occur in small communities in dry areas, and thus have an outsized influence over the consumption pattern of water. Competing interests, such as cattle ranching, farming, other industry, and residential use, are finding water more and more a cherished commodity to come by. There are 29 communities in Texas with a presence of oil and gas drilling that are in danger of running out of water within days.

Ceres also looked at individual companies with the most exposure to water sourcing risk. For example, Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) leads the pack with more than 70% of its wells located in high water stress areas. Anadarko used over six billion gallons of water over the study period. Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) was the biggest user of water out of all the operators measured in the report, but with much of its drilling operations focused in the relatively wet Marcellus Shale, its risk exposure wasn’t as bad as Anadarko’s. The report offers a warning to investors: should these companies be cut off from access to water due to inadequate water supply or water restrictions by local governments, their operations – and therefore their profitability – could be put at risk.

The Ceres report provides a series of recommendations which include recycling of water used during fracking (a practice already becoming more commonplace among drillers); using wastewater or brackish water; disclosing more information, not only on water use from the company perspective, but also on water availability and requirements for the basin as a whole; and tougher regulations governing the use of water in dry regions. 

The competition between water use for fracking and other uses is not new, particularly in dry areas, but with oil and gas production in Texas expected to double over the next five years, the issue will only grow in its importance.

San Angelo made The Guardian last August for our water woes.  The Guardian reported:

Local aquifer levels in the Eagle Ford formation have dropped by up to 300ft over the last few years.

The Wolfcamp and Cline Shales are in even more water blighted areas than Eagle Ford.  I'm going to need wheels for my windsurfers. 

West Texas Water Partnership Plans for Tremendous Economic Growth

The City of San Angelo is a one third partner with Midland and Abilene in the West Texas Water Partnership.   The topic arose three years ago in a City Council meeting:

Mayor Alvin New noted negotiations look promising between Midland, Abilene, and San Angelo for a regional water supply.

Just days ago San Angelo Mayor Duane Morrison talked about the importance of the project.  His fellow mayors weighed in:

“The people know that an abundant water supply is key to our prosperity and our quality of life,” Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald said. Midland Mayor Jerry Morales added, “This undertaking has the potential to yield tremendous economic growth for our region.”

Oddly, the Water Partnership mentions San Angelo's reclaimed water, currently used for irrigation, and the Hickory pipeline project.   San Angelo City Council will consider authorizing staff to negotiate a contract with Alan Plummer Associates for reclaimed water alternatives. 

The study will explore nonpotable and potable reuse, offer a summary of state regulations and identify potential projects.

“We don’t have any specific projects in mind,” Krueger said. The study’s purpose is to look at some options for the city.

Funny, I recall Carollo Engineering's Hutch Musallam offering to explore the city's reclaimed water and possible uses.  Why was that task not accomplished?

Alan Plummer Associates was one of five firms that sent in qualifications to the city, Krueger said. The firm submitted qualifications as part of a team of other consultants, Krueger said, with which the city would be negotiating.

Out of the five, the city selected three to interview and has narrowed it down to Alan Plummer based on the qualifications, as state law requires.

Who rides in with Alan Plummer, i.e. the other members of the team of consultants?  Is it Carollo Engineering, Wilde Engineering, Stephen Brown or other firms/consultants?  Will they be named at Tuesday's council meeting?

The West Texas Partnership claims it is dedicated to transparency and public input.  Let's hope its individual members behave in a similar fashion.

Does the timing of the WTWP have anything to do with the West Texas oil boom – specifically in Midland? 
The significant recent, fast-paced growth experienced in the Midland area underscores the need for proactive long-range water planning. Coming together now to pursue future regional supplies will ensure that West Texas can continue to be an important economic engine for the State.

Fracking requires massive water use, most of which is bound up underground and taken out of the water cycle.  Oilfield trucks destroy our roads.  Drillers demand for water is the tipping point for our local water nightmare.

Bonus Tips for the Water Partnership webmaster.  One, please finish this sentence under FAQ:

How will the WTWP pay for any water projects?  Each city in the WTWP will retain local control in deciding how to generate the funding necessary for new water projects. By pooling financial resources and developing projects for the cities’ cumulative population base of more....

Two, December 2013 daily water use for the City of Midland was not 11,536,000 acre feet as stated.  I believe the correct metric is gallons.

Update 2-8-14:  City Council approved negotiations with Alan Plummer on the reclaimed water study.   The Standard Times stated the reclaimed water irrigation deal Wilde sealed requires parties give a year's notice before backing out. 

Alan Plummer Associate's partners on this study include Enprotec/Hibbs-Todd and LBG-Guyton Associates.  If a Wilde were to work on the project it would have to be a secondary subcontractor role.  That is one level deeper than Blake Wilde's work on the Hickory pipeline.  As of now it appears no Wilde's will be on the reclaimed water team.

Paul Alexander's Latest Tune on Pumping South Pool

For two straight years the City of San Angelo pumped water from the South Pool at Twin Buttes for the ostensible reason of saving five feet of water evaporation as a result of combining the two pools.  This was City Councilman Paul Alexander's frequent refrain.  Now that he's out of office Alexander had this to say (via San Angelo Live):

“In the beginning God had a plan and it involved rivers. Water was sent down rivers and that is how it naturally all went, and rivers lose very little water. But when we started damming up the water we created a situation like a pan, spreading out the surface area, and then we lose water very quickly. So we reconfigured the water (system) and we’re losing all of our water. That is point number one. Point number two is that the Watermaster, which is TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality), requires that we release the same amount of water that would enter the system naturally. In other words, we get to keep the storm water, but we don’t get to keep the river water.”

The city pumped the last two years to save water, only it pumped water from a bowl (the South Pool) into the variable bottom North Pool (with many cake pan like sections).  No model was created that took into account pumping losses from seepage, thirsty vegetation and evaporation or the two pools' elevation and bottom topography.

Plus the level of the North Pool never rose more than a foot.  Mostly, it remained stable or declined.  South Pool water was a pass through helping to meet San Angelo's daily water needs.

Also not mentioned was the huge pipe sent to the South Pool in the mid 1990's intended to allow flow from the South Pool to Lake Nasworthy.  Former Water Chief Will Wilde never answered why this pipe was not installed.  Wilde had a direct conflict of interest via his cotton hobby farm which has rights to Twin Buttes water above a certain acre-feet level.  Wilde negotiated a deal for/with the city to trade this obligation for all the city's treated water.  While farmers got a lesser annual amount they, including Wilde, have a predictable irrigation source year in and year out.

Back to Councilman Alexander:

“In my opinion we can maintain Nasworthy this way through May, and that would get us to the boat races. However, any rain we got would boost that…here is the problem, if we don’t have any pumps set up and going, and we were to get good rains, the water would just go into the South Pool at Twin Buttes and sit there, we still can’t get it into Nasworthy. We must have pumps to get the water into Nasworthy, the level is too low to flow through on its own…so they would need to order the pumps and set them up and it would cost about $120,000 per month to run them. If we started pumping right now, it would take about 45 days to move the (approximately) 2,500 acre-feet of water. So what I’m thinking now is that is economically important for us to spend $200,000 to support Nasworthy through June for the races, so we can keep the momentum of that event going.”

The current city council wasn't happy about spending $10,000 on RiverFest, even with its fundraising and economic impact.  This $200,000 bill would need to be added to all the other ways the city funds the annual Showdown in San Angelo boat races.  I imagine its a hefty number.

The South Pool has to rise five more feet to be at the lip of the equalization channel.  That won't happen without a major runoff event.  The South Concho River is the only perennial flow river in our area.  It feeds the South Pool.  For the last decade the city talked about pumping or pumped the South Pool three times.  That the city only has an expensive, temporary solution is telling.  It looks like someone didn't want their water messed with.

South Pool's Future Mirrors Past

Twin Buttes' South Pool is up nearly a foot since I last visited.  That's in stark contrast to every other lake in town.  The City of San Angelo warned about a declining Lake Nasworthy and its potential impact on boaters and recreational users.

There has been no discussion yet on what to do with roughly 2,000 acre feet in the South Pool.  The lake level should continue its winter rise if left untouched.  I don't think it will reach the height needed to flow into the Equalization Channel without major runoff rains. 

It remains to be seen how this water is transferred for municipal use.  Pumping to the equalization channel and having the water gravity fed led to huge losses from seepage and evaporation.  Water Chief Ricky Dickson never updated the prior year's loss analysis, as requested by Council, but then again, he never provided Council the 60 day update after initiating pumping in 2013.

Will South Pool water make it to Lake Nasworthy in time for the Lucas Oil Boat Races?  God knows I'm praying for rain, warmer weather and wind. Our real winter has cut into my windsurfing time.  

San Angelo's Dire Water Situation

The City of San Angelo issued a press release on area lakes which serve as our water supply.  The last time they gave an update was in November. 

The City of San Angelo’s Water Utilities Department continues to monitor the level of Lake Nasworthy to advise citizens who live around the lake and those who use the reservoir for recreational activities of the changing conditions.

The City continues to release water from Nasworthy downstream to water rights holders in accordance with the Concho Water Master Program, as stipulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  

The City has pumped all the water it can from Twin Buttes into Nasworthy. Without replenishing rainfall, Nasworthy’s level will continue to decline. During the remaining fall and winter months, the decline should be minimal as cooler temperatures result in reduced water usage and evaporation rates. Also, water usage is lowest in the winter – about 9 million gallons per day. Summertime usage can be two to three times that amount, depending upon the watering restrictions in place. 

The City is currently relying on O.H. Ivie Reservoir for most of its raw water needs. The City will continue to use O.C. Fisher Reservoir as a resource until that source is depleted. San Angelo has about 15 months of available water supply, assuming no rainfall or runoff during that span.

Without adequate rainfall, Lake Nasworthy’s water level will see dramatic changes during the spring and summer of 2014. Increased demands and evaporation will have a significant impact on lake levels. As of Jan. 15, Nasworthy was at 72 percent of its capacity; Ivie was at 14 percent, and Fisher and Twin Buttes were at 1 percent each.

The Texas Water Development Board estimates San Angelo’s reservoirs lost more than 5 feet of elevation to evaporation in 2013.

The City urges lakefront homeowners to monitor the lake for changing conditions.

Area windsurfers should be aware of a large rock just off the boat ramp at Mary Lee Park.  There could be other obstructions.  That said the South Pool at Twin Buttes was up nearly four feet last time I checked.  I plan to go out soon to record its current level.

Note:  The picture above is from October when the pumps had drawn nearly all they could from the North Pool.

South Pool Up Over 3 Feet

The South Concho River restored the South Pool somewhat the last few months. Last February City Council voted to pump the South Pool for the second year in a row. 

AUTHORIZATION FOR AND DIRECTION TO STAFF TO BEGIN THE TRANSFER OF WATER FROM THE SOUTH POOL TO THE NORTH POOL PROCESS FOR THE CITY’S USE OF WATER AT TWIN BUTTES RESERVOIR

Interim Water Utilities Director Ricky Dickson presented background information.  General discussion was held on the amount of water withdrawn from and transferred to the pool; starting the process earlier in June versus August; providing for a minimum water level in the south pool so not to drain completely; depending on all the variables, being more cognizant of the variables in order to better utilize the resources; the equalization channel releases, increasing the length of the pipeline, the mobilization and demobilization, and the related costs.

Motion, to direct staff to recommend a tentative start date but a date no later than June 15th; upon starting the transfer, present an update to City Council after 60 days; transfer the water as was conducted last year; and, with the understanding pumping will begin once the pools natural water flow ceases, was made by Councilmember Silvas and seconded by Councilmember Morrison.

Further discussion was held on allowing staff the flexibility to adjust the start date; the transfer of water in relation to the water conservation stages; and creating measurement data based on the transfer of water, the amount of water pumped, and the amount of water lost as a result of the process. Mr. Dickson advised an environmental assessment will be required before work can begin near the equalization channel. Mayor New suggested staff approach the Bureau of Reclamation to gather that information and move towards capital improvements to the area.

A vote was taken on the motion on the floor. Motion carried unanimously.

The 60 day update never happened.  No measurement data was ever presented to Council.  It remains to be seen when this item returns to Council's agenda. 

Texas Aquifer Grab Funded by Cheap, Borrowed Money

The AP reported:

Officials from the few rural counties where voters opposed a $2 billion water spending measure that was overwhelmingly approved are wary of big-city thirsts sucking them dry.

The Dallas Morning News reported Saturday that the 20 rural counties which voted down the measure — about 8 percent of all Texas counties — are uniquely able to produce water. Those county leaders now fear their needs will be sacrificed to maintain economic and population growth in Texas.

The water measure borrows from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to jump-start new pipeline and conservation projects. It passed by a 3-to-1 margin and was among the biggest and most ambitious plans passed by the Legislature this spring.

With Twin Buttes Reservoir and O.C. Fisher Lake nearly dry, San Angelo is in the race for new water sources (in addition to the just finished Hickory Aquifer pipeline).

Greg Flores, the vice president of public affairs for the San Antonio Water System, said the system has tapped area aquifers for water.

Flores said the state’s population will roughly double in 50 years, with most of that growth in urban areas. The state has to plan and make water available for urban growth to prosper.

Flores said Texas’ surface water — the water in lakes and rivers — is all already allocated and permitted for all practical purposes.  “So the state is going to have to look to groundwater to meet those future demands,” he said.

How many straws can be stuck in the Earth for groundwater?  Surely, that will impact spring and stream flow. 

In Bastrop County, which was among the counties that voted no, county Judge Paul Pape says residents have concerns about the exploitation of their underlying aquifer.

“We are not happy about making it easier or cheaper for water marketers or profiteers to pump and pipe our water away from here,” Pape said. “Someday in the future, we are going to need that water.”

And it won't be there.   Texas is now wide open for the greed and leverage boys and their billions in infrastructure money.  Private equity underwriters (PEU's) already own public water systems in California and Montana.  Come on down boys, the debt's cheap and the franchise solid.  Texas is now PEU country, water-wise.