by Adam Shear
MILANO - A proposed water permit from Alcoa has several people in Milam Co. concerned about their water supply.
Alcoa is asking for a groundwater pumping permit from the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District. Several Milam Co. residents believe the deal could jeopardize the county's future water supply from the Simsbrough Aquifer.
"It's just more draining [on the aquifer]," said Curtis Chubb, Central Texas Aquifers Coalition. "It's just like a savings account if you withdraw too much money without putting money back in, you deplete the savings account. Same thing with the aquifers."
Alcoa is currently asking to use the water for their industrial needs. However, people believe the company will sell the land to Lower Colorado River Association and the water will be pumped out of the county down to the Austin area.
The conservation district says that will not be an easy transition for them.
"Just like anyone else, the LCRA would have to come in and file a permit to change the use or the location of the use. You have to come in and reapply," said Gary Westbrook, Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District.
Considered residents think that will just be a formality for LCRA and they will be granted whatever permit they request. Those residents say the aquifer is already over permitted with Blue Water Systems pumping water out of the county.
"When all these permits get kicked in it's going to be a train wreck," said Chubb. "The people at Post Oak Savannah think it's going to be fine. [The permit holders] will cut back and say well we can't pump anymore."
Post Oak Savannah says that will not happen though and that the companies that already have permits are not evening using half of their allotment.
"That is the way we're set up," said Westbrook. "Protect those water levels to where people will always have water."
The Central Texas Aquifers Coalition believes if LCRA does get a permit though, Milam Co. will go dry.
"All these people is going to get hurt that put all this money into is pumping, and pipelines, and farms," said Chubb. "They're going to ask well where is our water? Well they won't have it. So, why do you go that far? Why don't you stop now and say this is all the water we have to permit?"
The next public meeting regarding Alcoa's request will be Oct. 9. There were approximately 120 people at the last meeting, with about 80% of the crowd opposing the permit.
