Skip to main content

NOTICE: You have clicked on a link that leaves the New Braunfels Utilities website and you will be redirected to a third-party website. New Braunfels Utilities provides this link for your convenience for purely informational purposes and makes no representations nor has any supervision or control over the quality, content, reliability, or security of the third-party website. By clicking on this link, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for the third-party website.

Cancel Accept

New Braunfels Utilities to Integrate New Water Source

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gretchen Reuwer
830.608.8823 | greuwer@nbutexas.com

(New Braunfels, TX – July 10, 2024) New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) is excited to announce the upcoming integration of its newest water source from a collaborative project developed by the Alliance Regional Water Authority (ARWA) and the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA). The additional 8,000 acre-feet of water is scheduled to become part of the NBU water supply by late July 2024. The addition of this water resource represents a key step in NBU’s ongoing efforts to secure sustainable and reliable water supplies for New Braunfels’ future.

“Integrating this new water source is a monumental achievement for NBU and our customers,” CEO Ryan Kelso says. “Our collaboration with ARWA and GBRA demonstrates our commitment to proactive water management. This new source will significantly bolster our ability to meet the water needs of our community both now and in the future.”

The new water source, obtained from the Carrizo Aquifer, will complement existing supplies and provide added resilience against drought conditions and future demands. NBU will receive up to 8,000 acre-feet per year from this project, further reducing its dependence on the Edwards Aquifer. The new water source represents 16% of NBU’s total water supply. NBU entered into an agreement to purchase water from this project in 2018. The ARWA and GBRA project is a collaborative effort among several regional partners, including the cities of San Marcos, Kyle, Lockhart, and Buda; the Canyon Regional Water Authority; Goforth Special Utility District; and NBU. The project involves the development of well fields, transmission pipelines, and treatment facilities to deliver high-quality water from the Carrizo Aquifer to participating entities.

Key benefits of the new water source include:

  • Increased Water Supply: The addition of the 8,000 acre-feet of Carrizo Aquifer water will bring NBU’s total water supply to 50,375 acre-feet, which is currently three times the annual water consumption of New Braunfels residents. 
  • Reduced Dependence on Edwards Aquifer: This new source will lessen NBU’s reliance on the Edwards Aquifer, especially during periods of drought when reductions in pumping are required.
  • Drought Resilience: This new water source is considered a “firm” supply because it is not currently subject to mandated reductions during drought. This provides an additional safeguard against the impacts of drought, protecting the community’s water resources during periods of scarcity.

“NBU remains dedicated to strengthening our community by providing resilient essential services, and this new water source exemplifies our commitment to that mission,” stated CEO Ryan Kelso.

###

About New Braunfels Utilities:
New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) strives to be a trusted community partner dedicated to excellence in service and is one of 2,000 community-owned, nonprofit public power electric utilities in the nation.  With a mission of strengthening our community by providing resilient essential services, NBU is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of residents appointed by the New Braunfels City Council. New Braunfels Utilities provides electric, water, and wastewater services.  Utility revenues are continually invested back into the systems of the customers, which benefits the community.  New Braunfels Utilities makes an annual transfer to the City of New Braunfels, which in turn helps to pay for services such as fire, police, and parks.  Follow NBU on Facebook at facebook.com/newbraunfelsutilities, on X at @nbutexas, and to learn more, visit nbutexas.com.