Sec. 11.155. AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY AND AQUIFER RECHARGE REPORTS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Aquifer recharge project" means a project involving the intentional recharge of an aquifer by means of an injection well authorized under Chapter 27 or other means of infiltration, including actions designed to:

(A) reduce declines in the water level of the aquifer;

(B) supplement the quantity of groundwater available;

(C) improve water quality in an aquifer;

(D) improve spring flows and other interactions between groundwater and surface water; or

(E) mitigate subsidence.

(2) "Aquifer storage and recovery project" has the meaning assigned by Section 27.151.

(b) The board shall make studies, investigations, and surveys of the aquifers in the state to determine the occurrence, quantity, quality, and availability of aquifers in which aquifer storage and recovery projects or aquifer recharge projects are feasible.

(c) The board, working with appropriate interested persons, including river authorities and major water providers and water utilities, regional water planning groups, groundwater conservation districts, and potential public sponsors of aquifer storage and recovery projects or aquifer recharge projects, shall:

(1) conduct studies of aquifer storage and recovery projects and aquifer recharge projects identified in the state water plan or by interested persons; and

(2) report the results of each study conducted under Subdivision (1) to regional water planning groups and interested persons.

(d) This subsection expires January 1, 2021. The board shall:

(1) conduct a statewide survey to identify the relative suitability of various major and minor aquifers for use in aquifer storage and recovery projects or aquifer recharge projects based on consideration of:

(A) hydrogeological characteristics, with a focus on:

(i) storage potential;

(ii) transmissivity;

(iii) infiltration characteristics;

(iv) storativity;

(v) recoverability; and

(vi) water quality;

(B) the frequency, volume, and distance from excess water available for potential storage; and

(C) the current and future water supply needs identified in the state water plan;

(2) prepare a report that includes an overview of the survey conducted under Subdivision (1); and

(3) not later than December 15, 2020, submit the report described by Subdivision (2) to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 309, Sec. 2, eff. June 5, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1010, Sec. 4.05, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1057, Sec. 9, eff. June 20, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 505 (H.B. 655), Sec. 2, eff. June 16, 2015.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1043 (H.B. 721), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2019.