July 14, 2017
 LCRA representatives present a $56,480 grant to Dripping Springs Water Supply Corp. for advanced metering infrastructure to help detect water leaks more quickly. The grant is part of LCRA’s Firm Water Conservation Cost-share Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Greg Perrin, Dripping Springs Water Supply Corp. general manager; Valerie Miller, LCRA manager of water contracts and conservation; Stacy Pandey, LCRA senior water conservation coordinator; William Jackson, Dripping Springs WSC Board secretary-treasurer; and George W. Russell, a member of the LCRA Board of Directors. |
Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation (WSC) soon will install upgraded equipment that will enable it to detect water leaks more quickly, a move that could save almost 16 million gallons of water a year, thanks to a $56,480 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The grant, part of LCRA’s Firm Water Conservation Cost-share Program, will allow Dripping Springs WSC to install advanced metering infrastructure to shift its automated water meter readings from monthly to hourly. The new infrastructure will help identify and locate customer leaks more quickly.
Dripping Springs WSC General Manager Greg Perrin says upgrading the system will mean greater water conservation and money savings immediately.
“With the improvements, we will be able to receive data and detect potential water leaks on customer’s properties within hours as opposed to only being able to receive such data every 30 days,” Perrin said. “The savings could be as much as 100,000 gallons per month at each problem.”
Dripping Springs WSC gets some of its water from the Highland Lakes, and the project is expected to save about 49 acre-feet of water – roughly 15.9 million gallons annually.
“The Highland Lakes are a vital water supply for Central Texas,” said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water. “While the lakes are nearly full now, we know the levels will go down as summer heats up. We also know the nature of these lakes is to rise during rainy times and fall during droughts, and the next drought could be just around the corner. Putting water conservation practices and technology in place is important to help protect our water supply in the future, and we are proud to work with Dripping Springs WSC on such a worthy project.”
LCRA’s Firm Water Conservation Cost-share Program provides funding for water efficiency projects and programs established by LCRA’s firm water customers. Customers include cities, utilities, industries, irrigation and recreational water users. Projects funded through the program include converting irrigated areas using raw or potable water to recycled water, and decreasing utility system water loss, such as flushing reductions or leak detection and repair.
Applications for the next round of grants are due Sept. 1, 2017. More information is available at
WaterSmart.org.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; ensuring a clean, reliable water supply; and offering access to nature at more than 40 parks, recreation areas and river access sites along the Texas Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
