Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sun. Sept. 5, 2010; 7:30 PM CDT

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Wednesday, Sept 8, 2010, 7:30 PM, at 126 Sunrise Canyon Rd.; Skyline Ranch Estates; Wimberley, TX. 78676.

AGENDA

1. Quorum Count, Call to Order (I-Pei)
   1. President’s announcements
2. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
   1. Minutes of July 14, 2010 WSC meeting
   2. Documentation requirements
3. Treasurer’s Report (James)
   1. Financial status, August 31, 2010
   2. Account ledger update/2009 tax return documentation update
   3. Money market transfer
4. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
   1. Auto-dialer project
   2. Generator maintenance contract
5. New and Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. Analytical results for water sampling
   2. Drought stage notices
6. Regulatory, Compliance, and Business Issues
   1. TCEQ water conference summary (Stephen)

Message from Stephen Greenberg, Attorney at Law
Submitted on behalf of Skyline Ranch Estates Water Supply Corporation (SRE-WSC)

SRE-WSC comment on Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Region L Water Plan:

http://skylineranch.org/content/filemgr/files/wsc_comment_regl_ipp_2010.pdf [pdf, 86 KB]

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Region L Water Plan: history

In June 1997, the Governor of Texas signed into law Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which included comprehensive water legislation enacted by the 75th Texas Legislature. SB 1 created a regional water planning process and designated the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) as the lead agency for coordinating the regional water planning process. The overriding purpose of the regional water planning process is to ensure that the water needs of all Texans are met as Texas enters the 21st century and experiences the population growth projected for the 21st century.

The overall goal of SB 1 was to “develop regional and state water plans that will provide for the orderly development, management, and conservation of water resources, and preparation for and response to drought conditions in order that sufficient water will be available at a reasonable cost to ensure public health, safety, and welfare further economic development, and protect the agricultural and natural resources of the planning area.” SB 1 designated 11 interest groups to serve as members of Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPG) to prepare regional water plans for their respective areas. These plans are intended to map out how to conserve water supplies, meet future water supply needs and respond to future droughts in the planning areas.

In 1998, the Texas Water Development Board adopted rules for state and regional water planning and grant assistance, designating 16 regional water planning areas to implement state and regional water planning aspects of SB 1. The original state water plan was created and adopted in 2002 through the regional water planning process, and SB 1 called for the plan to be updated every 5 years. The original water plan was replaced in 2007 by successive plan documents, drafted again through the regional water planning process. The current Texas Water Plan is the one that was adopted in 2007.

Each Regional Water Planning Group remains responsible for preparing and adopting an updated regional water plan for their area. Texas Regional Water Planning Groups are working on the next update of the comprehensive Texas Water Plan, which is in the drafting stages in 2010 – the efforts of which are intended to complete the next comprehensive water plan in time for adoption in 2011, to replace the 2007 Texas Water Plan.

The South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Area (Region L) is one of the 16 regional water planning areas designated by TWDB, the lead state agency in the water planning process. Region L contains the following counties: Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Calhoun, Comal, Dewitt, Dimmit, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, LaSalle, Medina, Refugio, Uvalde, Victoria, Wilson, Zavala, and the southern part of Hays County that lies within the Guadalupe-Blanco River watershed. (The northern part of Hays County lying within the Colorado River watershed is included in Region K, the Lower Colorado Regional Water Planning Group).

In March 2010, Region L issued its 2010 Initially Prepared Plan (IPP) and requested the submission of responsive public comments. The June 13, 2010 letter [pdf, 86 KB] was submitted to Region L on behalf of the Skyline Ranch Estates Water Supply Corporation, in response to Region L’s request for comments on the Region L March 2010 IPP.

SRE-WSC comment on Region L IPP: executive summary

Following are the points we tried to make in our comment:

1. Although the draft plan purports to comprehensively address future water use by all water users in Region L, there is no consideration given to water used by rural water users such as the residents of Skyline Ranch Estates. Instead, the only water users in the Wimberley Valley whose future water needs are addressed are the customers of the Wimberley Water Supply Corporation and Woodcreek Utilities, Inc. (Aqua Texas), the water utilities which serve fewer than half the residents of the Wimberley Valley.
2. Although the plan proposes a water project to increase the water supplies of the Wimberley Water Supply Corporation and Woodcreek Utilities, Inc. (Aqua Texas), on account of inadequacies of the Trinity Aquifer which provides their water, no projects are proposed to supplement other water users who also draw their water from the Trinity Aquifer – such as the customers of the Skyline Ranch Estates Water Supply Corporation. We suggested that additional supplies to meet future water needs of SRE-WSC and other nearby small water systems be included in that project.
3. With no reasoned discussion, the plan dismisses any need for possible cross-basin water transfers into the Blanco-Guadalupe River basin from other watersheds. Our comment points out that the LCRA water pipeline that runs south of Dripping Springs is probably the closest possible alternative water supply for the SRE-WSC – even closer than Canyon Lake and San Marcos, the alternative sources to be used for transferring additional water to the Wimberley Water Supply Corporation and Woodcreek Utilities, Inc. (Aqua Texas) in the proposed Wimberley Water Project – and suggested that LCRA pipeline be considered as an alternative water source that would involve a cross-basin transfer.

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sun. July 11, 2010; 6:00 PM CDT

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 7:30 PM, at 126 Sunrise Canyon Rd.

AGENDA

1. Quorum Count, Call to Order (I-Pei)
   1. President’s announcements
2. 2009 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) public meeting comment/question period
3. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
   1. Minutes of June 8, 2010 WSC meeting
   2. Documentation requirements
4. Treasurer’s Report (James)
   1. Financial status, June 30, 2010
   2. Account ledger update/2009 tax return documentation update
5. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
   1. Auto-dialer project
   2. Generator maintenance contract
6. New and Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. Community Resource Group (CRG) remaining funds release
   2. Lead and copper sampling program
   3. Consulting service needs for accounting
   4. Contractor service needs for water system operations and maintenance
   5. Consulting service needs for secondary well feasibility project
7. Regulatory Updates

SRE-WSC has posted a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for Skyline Ranch Estates, issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This is a report of your drinking water quality for the year 2009.

http://skylineranch.org/content/filemgr/files/wsc_2009_water_quality.pdf [pdf, 174 KB]

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sat. June 5, 2010; 4:30 PM CDT

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 7:30 PM, at 521 Stoney Creek Vista.

AGENDA

1. Quorum Count, Call to Order (I-Pei)
   1. Announcements
2. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
   1. Minutes of May 12, 2010 WSC meeting
   2. Documentation requirements
3. Treasurer’s Report
   1. Financial status, May 31, 2010
   2. Tax return update
4. Regulatory Updates
   1. Region L Water Plan comments (Stephen)
   2. PEC election analysis (Stephen)
   3. 2009 Consumer Confidence Report (I-Pei)
5. New and Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. PGMS contract/performance plan
   2. Secondary well feasibility planning project
   3. Hardware, software, and consulting service needs for accounting
6. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
   1. Auto-dialer project
   2. Cross connection control program

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sun. May 9, 2010; 12:30 PM CDT

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7:30 PM, at Ike’s Beer and Wine Bar, 16920 RR12, Wimberley, TX.

AGENDA

1. Quorum Count/Call to Order (I-Pei)
   1. Announcements
2. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
   1. Minutes of April 14, 2010 WSC meeting
   2. Minutes of April 17, 2010 SRE annual meeting
3. Treasurer’s Report
   1. Financial Status, April 30, 2010
   2. Tax Return Status
4. Regulatory Updates
5. New and Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. 2010/2011 Tariff Revision
   2. PGMS Contract/Performance Plan
   3. Lead and Copper Sampling Program
   4. SRE-WSC Map and Database Update
6. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
   1. April Well Outage Incident and Response
   2. Cross Connection Control Program
   3. 2010 Recommended Capital Improvements

I-Pei Hodge, president of the Skyline Ranch Water Supply Corporation (SRE-WSC), has posted a dowloadable version of the presentation she made at the 2010 Annual Meeting (Saturday April 17, 2010), for the benefit of those who missed it.

Download/view

1. Original PowerPoint presentation (8.59 MB):
http://skylineranch.org/content/filemgr/files/wsc_2010_annual_meeting_pre.ppt

2. Reduced size, pdf format (448 KB):
http://skylineranch.org/content/filemgr/files/wsc_2010_annual_meeting_pre.pdf

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sun. Apr 11, 2010; 12:31 AM CDT

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Wednesday, April 14, 2010, 7:30 PM, at 700 Skyline Ridge Lookout.

AGENDA

1. Call To Order/Quorum Count (I-Pei)
   1. Announcements
2. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
   1. Minutes of Jan. 27, 2010 SRE-WSC Board Meeting
   2. Regulatory Updates
3. Treasurer’s Report (Rob)
   1. Financial Status, March 31, 2010
   2. Tax Return Status
4. New and Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. HTGCD Well Permit Renewal
   2. 2009/2010 Tariff Revision
   3. Review of Rate Study by Gerald Tempton
   4. SRE Annual Meeting Presentation and Elections
   5. SRE-WSC Map and Database Update
5. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
   1. Cross Connection Control Program
   2. 2010 Recommended Capital Improvements

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sun. Jan 24, 2010; 7:00 PM CST

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 7:30 PM, at 126 Sunrise Canyon Rd.

AGENDA

1. Call To Order/Quorum Count (I-Pei)
2. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
   1. Minutes of Nov. 18, 2009 Board Meeting
3. Treasurer’s Report (Rob)
   1. Financial Status, December 31, 2009
4. Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. Drought Response Status
   2. HTGCD Well Permit Renewal
   3. 2009/2010 Tariff Revision
5. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
   1. Cross Connection Control Program
   2. Severe Weather Maintenance and Repairs

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Fri. Dec 18, 2009; 2:00 PM CST

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Monday, December 21, 2009, 2:30 PM, at 126 Sunrise Canyon Rd.

AGENDA

1. Call To Order/Quorum Count (I-Pei)
2. Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Discussion with Co-General Managers Dana Carmean and Rick Broun regarding well permit renewal
3. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
4. Treasurer’s Report (Rob)
5. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
6. Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. 2009/2010 Tariff revision
   2. Groundwater Rule
   3. Water Quality Report

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sun. Nov 15, 2009; 5:30 PM CST

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7:30 PM, at 116 Sky Ranch Circle.

AGENDA

1. Call To Order/Quorum Count (I-Pei)
2. Secretary’s Report (Eric)
   1. Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Treasurer’s Report (Rob)
   1. Financial Status, October 31, 2009
4. Continuing Business (I-Pei)
   1. Drought Response Status
   2. HTGCD Well Permit Renewal
   3. 2009/2010 Tariff Revision
   4. Cross Connection Control Program
   5. Insurance renewal
5. Operations Status Report (Harlan)
   1. HTGCD Board meeting update
   2. Wellspec conference paper
   3. Groundwater Rule Update (I-Pei)

I am glad to report that we may now move back to a Stage 1 Response and its associated rate schedule.

Water conservation efforts of our community have been stellar for the month of October. The watering schedules for Stage 2 response are no longer required, but the following are conservation measures recommended for Stage 1.

1. Check for toilet and faucet leaks and repair any found leaks immediately.
2. Use water displacement device in toilet tank or replace older model toilets with HET models when possible.
3. Install aerators on faucets. Don’t leave faucets running when not in use.
4. While waiting for hot water to reach faucet, catch cold water in a container to be reused.
5. Never use the toilet to dispose of trash.
6. Only run dishwasher with full load.
7. Store drinking water in a container in the refrigerator.
8. Reduce use of garbage disposal.
9. Wash only full loads of laundry.
10. Turn off master water shutoff when out of town or on vacation.
11. Draw less water for bath or reduce shower time.
12. Do not over water houseplants.

1. Comply with 5-day schedule for lawn watering and always only water between 8pm and 8am.
2. For automatic sprinkler systems:
   1. check sprinkler heads regularly to prevent clogging
   2. adjust to eliminate overspray and
   3. adjust run times and frequency monthly to respond to water schedules and changing rainfall and temperature conditions.
3. Use hand-held hose, drip irrigation, or soaker hoses for trees, garden, non-turf areas and bedded plants.
4. Avoid watering on windy days.
5. Cut lawns on highest setting and leave lawn clippings on lawn instead of bagging.
6. For hose-end sprinklers – use sprinkler timers to limit water duration.
7. Use mulch to conserve soil moisture.
8. Limit vehicle washing except when conducted with a bucket or hand-held hose with a positive shutoff during designated watering days and times. If possible, use a commercial car wash that recycles water
9. Wash vehicles over lawn areas where possible.
10. Vehicle wash fundraisers should be conducted at a commercial vehicle wash facility using such facilities equipment.
11. Keep pools covered when not in use.
12. Limit pool filter backwashing to only when necessary.
13. No washing of driveways, pavement, or streets.
14. Utilize supplemental water sources where possible (e.g. purchased water, collected rainwater, etc.). Supplemental water sources must be isolated from the WSC system per TCEQ regulations.

Thank you for your conservation efforts and good stewardship of our shared groundwater resource. If you have any questions, or if I may provide additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me by calling (512) 847-9045.

The arrival of much needed rain, while cause for enjoyment, is as yet insufficient to release us from the state of drought. Please remember that we remain in a Stage 2 Drought Condition, and that Stage 2 conservation measures must be in effect.

In August 2009, 19 households consumed in excess of 10,000 gallons each. Of these, 6 households consumed in excess of 20,000 gallons each. At the opposite end of the spectrum, 31 households consumed 5,000 gallons or less in the month of August, so kudos to you! The monthly neighborhood consumption charts are posted on the SRE website (under WSC Documents), so we will see shortly how the recent rains have affected usage rates in September.

Perhaps we should attribute our high demand for SRE-WSC water this year to the vastly improved water quality and reliability, after our significant capital improvements? Certainly, it is a far greater pleasure to hydrate our plants with water that does not kill it from excess salt, or fill our pools with water that does not leave a yellow crust on the tile.

We can all appreciate the difference, qualitatively, but for those of you who like quantitative comparisons, our Total Dissolved Solids was analyzed at 2150 mg/L in 2007, and plummeted to 398 mg/L in June 2009. Our sulfate concentration was detected at 1280 mg/L in 2007 and dropped to 68.0 mg/L in 2009. Our total hardness (as CaCO3) was analyzed at 1280 mg/L in 2006 and decreased to 323 mg/L in 2009. The improvement in water quality is remarkable and undeniable.

In addition, our water supply remains viable during power outages, with the reliability provided by our emergency generator. Our emergency generator has already provided peace of mind during a few minor outages this year, and additional outages are likely on the horizon with the promise of a wet El Niño year.

Our improved water quality and reliability came with a price tag of $80,000, which will be paid off over the next 7 years with our monthly water fees. Members of the Skyline Ranch Estates Water Supply Corporation pay for the ability to turn a tap in the house and have access to a priceless resource: clean and reliable water in times of drought and plenty.

Just as a final reminder, the full text of the Drought Contingency Plan is available on the Skyline Ranch Estates website. The Stage 2 Drought Response is included in this article, for your convenience. Changes promulgated during our Board meeting on September 8, 2009 include a specific restriction against filling or refilling drained (i.e., empty) pools, and specifying that monthly consumption in excess of 20,000 gallons may be subject to flow restriction.

Thank you for your conservation efforts and good stewardship of our shared groundwater resource. If you have any questions or if I may provide additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me by calling (512) 847-9045.

1. Continue conservation activities recommended in Stage 1 Response.
2. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address or post office box number ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8), and Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with an address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9). Irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 am and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose equipped with positive shutoff, soaker hose, drip irrigation system, faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less.
3. Use of soaker hoses for foundation protection shall be limited to designated water days and times.
4. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff. If possible, use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
5. Use of water to fill or refill drained pools is prohibited. Topping off of existing pools for essential maintenance purposes is permitted only during designated watering days between the hours of 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
6. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any wading pools or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
7. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
8. Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare.
9. The following nonessential uses of water are prohibited:
   1. use of water to wash down any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
   2. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
   3. use of water for dust control;
   4. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
   5. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).

Message from I-Pei Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Sat. September 5, 2009 7:19:11 PM CDT

NOTICE

In compliance with Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, section 551.041), the following notice is given: a meeting of the SRE Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board will be held Tuesday September 8, 2009, 7:30 PM, 700 Skyline Ridge Lookout.

AGENDA

A proposed revision of the SRE-WSC conservation and drought contingency plan will be reviewed and public input solicited.

We are all aware of the current drought conditions that continue in Central Texas. As a community with a single well source, we should all be concerned with the sustainability of our water supply. In conjunction with this current situation, please remember that we are in a Stage 2 Drought Condition. The Stage 2 water restrictions have been in effect since the beginning of July, but it is clear from the metered consumption data that the need to conserve water has not been understood with the seriousness that our situation demands. A record number of 24 households were classified as exceptional users in July, a euphemism for households consuming more than 10,000 gallons during the month.

I urge you to balance your plant, lawn, and pool watering needs with the consideration that the groundwater level in our well is dropping, and until recharge is available in the form of rainfall, it is in the neighborhood’s best interest to conserve water primarily for household use.

As aquifer levels continue to drop, the possibility remains that we will need to designate a Stage 3 Drought Condition, which will incur additional mandatory water restrictions. In addition, a possible means for reducing usage, if voluntary conservation efforts continue to be inadequate, is to reduce the operating pressures of our water system. At present, we remain in Stage 2, at our standard operating pressures.

Stage 2 water restrictions enact the following water use restrictions for all customers:

1. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address or post office box number ending in an even number, and Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with an address ending in an odd number. All irrigation of landscaped areas is limited to the hours between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of 5 gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.
2. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated water days between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff.
3. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
4. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
5. Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, or other related activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare.
6. The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
   1. Wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas
   2. Wash down of buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection
   3. Water for dust control
   4. Permitting water to run or accumulate in any ditch or street
   5. Failing to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leaks(s)

By reducing your water use now, you will be doing your part to ensure that water continues to be available to every household for essential daily uses. Your actions now may also keep the SRE-WSC Board from having to adopt more stringent conservation measures.

Many of you have already begun water conservation measures and we thank you for your efforts. Please continue these efforts until we can get some much needed relief in the way of rain.

Thank you for your assistance with this important matter. If you have any questions or if I may provide additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me by calling (512) 847-9045.