About
- About
  
  The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is committed to conserving, protecting, recharging, and preventing waste of groundwater and preserving all aquifers in the District. The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District was created in 1987 with a directive to conserve, protect, and enhance the groundwater resources in its jurisdictional area.
Aquifer Science
- Aquifer Science
  
  BSEACD Aquifer Science team provides sound science to support policy and tactical decisions made by the District that affect water supply users and endangered species habitat. Collecting basic hydrogeologic data and planning and executing projects enhances the understanding of the water resources within the District’s boundaries.
Regulatory Program
- Regulatory Program
  
  The Regulatory Compliance Team is responsible for a wide range of the District’s responsibilities. Regulatory Compliance Team members have also actively attended and participated in community outreach and regional development and planning groups and served as District liaisons to local municipalities, political subdivisions, permittees, and licensed drillers and pump installers in the area.
Education
- Education
  
  The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer District actively participates and hosts events designed to engage and educate groundwater users and District residents. Events include stewardship awards, festivals, creek cleanups, presentations to schools and community groups, and teacher trainings.
Projects
- Projects
  
  The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has a number of special projects to help advance the scientific understanding and better manage groundwater resources within the District.
Publications
- Publications
  
  One of the most effective ways to conserve, protect, and manage our the groundwater resources is to keep you informed of the science, current conditions, and regulations affecting our District. Sign up on the Friends of the District email list and receive: Quarterly newsletters, Aquifer status updates, Drought declarations, Conservation information, and Important news.
Transparency
- Transparency
  
  The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District strives to meet a high standard by providing clear, consistent pictures of spending, and by sharing information in user-friendly formats, to promote financial transparency and accountability, not only through financial reports but also through summaries, visualizations, downloadable data, and other relevant information.

Publications

Aquifer Tests – Frequently Asked Questions

Posted by Robin Gary, Brian Hunt, Brian Smith on September 2, 2016

Q – Would drought or high water levels bias aquifer test results?

A – Aquifer tests measure aquifer characteristics (like porosity and permeability) that do not change whether we’re in drought or high water level situations. The aquifer test measures the effect on water levels and the response of the aquifer to pumping. The measured response can be used to calculate the aquifer parameters that will enable the District to run predicative simulations to assess the projected effects under all conditions including drought.

Q – Will recent rains or recharge affect aquifer test results?

A – According to continuously recording monitor wells in the area, water levels are going up in response to recent rains (recharge). The current trend in water levels is a factor that the hydrogeologists account for when they analyze the aquifer test results.

Summary – In short, aquifer tests measures characteristics that don’t change over time. Monitor wells help define water level highs and lows and rates of natural water level change happening at the time of the aquifer test. And the model leverages all those data to examine the effects of different levels of pumping over time.

Useful links:

District Aquifer Test Guidelines