LCRA calls on individuals throughout the lower Colorado River basin to join in a community conversation about the region's future water supply by attending an upcoming discussion or by joining the virtual community conversation at www.lcra.org/watersupply.

LCRA is seeking public input as a step in preparing a long-term water supply plan, which will be LCRA's roadmap for how it will meet water needs in the future.

The Water Supply Resource Plan will show how much water LCRA can make available, when and where it can be provided in the future, and the potential cost.

"The LCRA board wants to hear from customers and stakeholders throughout the basin so that we can understand your concerns and know your preferences as we make decisions about water supply for our region's future," said Rebecca A. Klein, LCRA's board chair.

As to existing water supplies, LCRA officials note there is ample water to meet today's needs.

LCRA's existing water supplies include the Highland Lakes and run-of-river water rights located downstream. Lakes Buchanan and Travis are the water supply reservoirs in the Highland Lakes chain and can hold 657 billion gallons of water when full. They can provide more than 145 billion gallons per year during a drought, equal to the worst drought the area has experienced (also known as the Drought of Record).

The run-of-river water rights located downstream are used for agriculture today. In the future, those water rights can be changed to provide for the growing needs of cities and industry and can provide between 65 billion gallons and 163 billion gallons a year, said Ms. Klein.

As steward of the lower Colorado River, LCRA provides water to cities, utility providers, businesses and industries for their long-term needs. LCRA has currently committed 149 billion gallons of water per year to customers.

"Water is a precious, finite resource. While we have ample water to meet today's needs, our region is growing. We need to consider how we can use our resources wisely and work together to plan for our grandchildren's and greatgrandchildren's water supply," said Tom Mason, LCRA General Manager. "This plan will show in a transparent way how LCRA will make water available to our customers in the future and the potential cost."

For regional planning and population growth, LCRA's long-term water supply plan will complement the state water plan, prepared by the Lower Colorado Regional Water Planning Group (Region K).

"We continue to work with the Lower Colorado Regional Water Planning Group (Region K) to prepare and implement our region's 50-year water plan approved by the state," said James Kowis, LCRA's manager of water supply planning. "The Water Supply Resource Plan will help us plan beyond 50 years to ensure that we have adequate water for the needs in our basin, including the environment."

The population in the lower Colorado River region (Region K) is expected to more than double between 2010 and 2060 to more than 2.7 million, according to projections in the state water plan. However, some areas may be growing faster than the projections and there may be additional needs for industrial uses.

Local concerns affect long-term planning. Upstream communities -- those around the Highland Lakes -- depend on the lakes and river for their water supply and for economic development opportunities. Many are concerned about lake safety, lake levels and the economic consequences of drought.

Highland Lakes will continue to operate as a system to provide water supply and flood management even as LCRA looks at options to diversify its water supply.

Last year, LCRA and the city of Austin reached an historic agreement to work together to plan for Austin's future water needs. As a result, the city and LCRA will work together to plan water supply to meet the needs in the Austin region as population grows and water needs increase.

Through these community conversations, LCRA plans to identify potential water supply alternatives that can be considered to meet all customers' needs, including Austin.

For downstream communities, LCRA and the San Antonio Water System are in the fifth year of an in-depth study of a potential watersharing project -- the LCRASAWS Water Project. The potential project's technical, environmental and financial feasibility are being studied.

After the study period, scheduled to end in 2015, the LCRA Board will determine if the project protects and benefits the river basin as required by the Texas Legislature in 2001. The SAWS Board will decide if the project's cost and water supply are acceptable.

The LCRA-SAWS Water Project may be a potential water supply option to meet future water needs in the basin and may be included in the Water Supply Resource Plan.

To join the community conversation go online to www.lcra.org/ watersupply on July 29 at Burnet Community Center, 401 East Jackson Street; July 31, Wharton Junior College Pioneer Student Center, 911 Boling Highway, Wharton; Aug. 7, LCRA's Dalchau Service Center, 3505 Montopolis Drive, bldg. A, Austin.

Space is limited. Phone (800) 776-5272, ext. 3380 to reserve a seat.