On June 28, the Edwards Aquifer Authority, or EAA, celebrated its 30th year of serving the community. To celebrate the milestone, the EAA released an episode of its Recharge Zone Podcast detailing the agency’s history and future, is holding a "Rooted in Saving Water: Conserve and Share It" photo contest and released a celebratory and instructional YouTube video.
The gist
The EAA is a regional water management agency responsible for regulating the use of the Edwards Aquifer, a resource that provides water to a large number of Texans and municipalities.
In 1993, the Texas Legislature adopted the EAA Act, a piece of legislation that created the EAA as a political subdivision of the state to preserve and protect the aquifer, according to the EAA website. The act was passed to keep the federal government from taking control of the aquifer under the Endangered Species Act.
“Three decades into this mission, the focus of our work hasn’t necessarily changed, but our approach and the perceptions of what we do certainly have,” said EAA General Manager Roland Ruiz in a statement to Community Impact. “I believe that now more than ever, our work is acknowledged as necessary and it’s appreciated for how it has helped to secure our region’s water future.”
Also of note
The EAA’s "Rooted in Saving Water: Conserve & Share It" photo contest aims to celebrate the agency's history by highlighting community members’ efforts to preserve the aquifer.
Community members from Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Medina and Uvalde counties are encouraged to submit a photo showing how they are helping to manage the ongoing drought.
Winning photos will be featured in the 2027 EAA Calendar, according to EAA officials. The photo categories include:
- Smart Irrigation: Drip systems, timers and efficient watering methods
- Rainwater Harvesting: Barrels, cisterns and catchment designs
- Composting & Soil Health: Compost bins, mulch and regenerative gardening
- Nature-Based Solutions: Native landscaping, tree canopies, berm and swales
- Youth in Conservation: Student-led or family-involved drought actions
- Everyday Drought Hacks: Creative routines or habits that save water
“It’s this impact that lies at the crux of our vision of the next generation, one where the Edwards Aquifer is sustained, accessible and reliable for all of us,” Ruiz said in his statement.
