Soon after I was elected mayor of Bulverde in May 1999, the city faced a serious water shortage in two of our major subdivisions, Bulverde Hills and Oak Village North. The shortage was caused by a severe drought. At that time, the Trinity Aquifer was the only source of water in the area. A water emergency for the city was declared.

The water supplier for Bulverde Hills, BexarMet, had a “round-the-clock convoy” of 6,000 gallon water trucks importing water from the Stone Oak in northern San Antonio. For Oak Village North, water was imported from Rim Rock Ranch.

I concluded that obtaining a reliable long-term water supply was a very high priority for our newly incorporated city.

In early 2000, with the assistance of San Antonio Water System, the city applied to the state for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN). To support the application, 400 acre-feet per year of water was requested from the Western Canyon Water Project pipeline that was to be constructed.

This would provide an average of 9,000 gallons per month to 1,200 homes; the 2000 census indicated 1,150 homes in Bulverde. In late 2001, the assistance of GBRA rather than SAWS was negotiated. Many water companies opposed our application, and after many months of hearings and litigation, the CCN was awarded to Bulverde in mid-2003. This state-granted monopoly to supply water was for an area extending from FM 3009 along Texas Hwy. 46 to Kendall County, then back along the Cibilo Creek.

Finally, Bulverde could look forward to a consolidated regional water system for Bulverde and the surrounding areas. This was a significant asset and essential for managing the limited water available ensuring good services and uniform rates in the future.

Recently, under the leadership of newly elected Councilman Jim Binkley, there has been a concerted attempt to turn Bulverde’s CCN over to Canyon Lake Water Supply Company, which is owned by San Jose Water of California. Supposedly, Mr. Binkley’s motivation has been his desire to ensure a supply of water for the schools. This objective can be achieved by offering CLWSC joint jurisdiction in the limited area necessary to supply school’s without jeopardizing the entire 57,500 acres of the CCN. A precedent has been set for this type of jurisdiction through our agreements with Fair Oaks Ranch.

The actions of Mr. Binkley should be of great concern to residents of Windmill Ranch, Kestrel Airpark, Bulverde Hills, Oak Village North and Rim Rock Ranch, since all water in the pipeline has been allocated, but none to these subdivisions and none is available for future allocations.

It is imperative that our CCN be retained by the city of Bulverde, so that the precious 400 acre-feet of water can be reserved for emergencies and to supplement water supplies in these subdivisions.

What can you do? Phone, write letters, or e-mail the city council. Or, attend City Council meetings and demand that elected officials and city staff act responsibly and deny, refute or terminate the uninformed and irresponsible actions proposed by Mr. Binkley.

Bob Barton
Bulverde