Saratoga Underground Water Conservation District directors, at their recent meeting, approved the district’s Annual Report. SUWCD Board of Directors Chairman Randall McGuire said the district’s major accomplishment this past year was revision of the district’s management plan.

The plan was submitted to the Texas Water Development Board and, after several recommended changes, was approved by the state board.

McGuire said goals in the management plan for 2010 include reviewing the management priorities every quarter to ensure compliance with the plan.

“Another goal is to review and determine drought conditions,” McGuire said, “and to issue public notice of moderate and severe drought conditions to keep the public informed of water issues in the district.”

Other goals include continued participation in the Water Screening Program conducted for private water wells in conjunction with the Lampasas County AgriLife Extension Service. Also, to cooperate with local and adjacent governments and water suppliers to plan and take action for drought contingencies and water planning issues.

Directors voted to have a workshop session to discuss district goals. The date and time will be determined later but probably will be held prior to a regular SUWCD meeting.

In regard to drought conditions, the board chairman reviewed the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map for Texas. The map shows more than 96 percent of the state is not experiencing drought conditions. Only two small areas -- one in far West Texas and another in deep South Texas -- are shown to be abnormally dry. Most of the state has received beneficial rains over the past several months.

In other business, McGuire reviewed the last Groundwater Management Area 8 meeting he attended on behalf of the Saratoga district. GMA 8 consists of 12 groundwater districts in North Central Texas from Lampasas County to the Red River. He said representatives voted to request each district pay $50 per GMA meeting for travel expenses for engineer Randy Williams, who will provide engineering assistance to GMA 8 when needed.

SUWCD directors approved the $50 contribution per GMA 8 meeting, as the group meets only two to three times per year.

McGuire noted that of the 12 conservation districts in GMA 8, Saratoga and Fox River (Mills County) are the only ones without taxing authority. Directors said taxing authority in not needed to carry out the district’s programs. McGuire said, however, that Fox River directors might decide to dissolve their district at a later date.

Table Rock Water Conservation District (Coryell County) has dissolved and has joined the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, which also includes Comanche, Erath and Bosque counties.

Also at their recent meeting, Saratoga directors voted to invite the Kempner Water Supply Corp. general manager to an upcoming meeting to give an update on the activities of the water supply corporation.

In final matters, McGuire announced that March 7-13 was designated National Groundwater Awareness Week. “Groundwater is a precious resource in Texas that needs to be protected and preserved.”

Information provided by the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee shows that groundwater provides 59 percent of all freshwater withdrawals in the state, of which 79 percent is for agricultural use, mainly for irrigation. Ninety-nine percent of drinking water for rural populations comes from wells.

In addition, 1.2 million Texans rely on groundwater from their own wells for drinking water and use 131 million gallons per day. Nine major and 21 minor aquifers supply 59 percent of all water used in the state.

SUWCD will meet next on May 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lampasas County Courtroom.