Lakeside residents, your days of free water are over.

In an editorial published February 14, 2012 by the Austin American Statesman, the issue of water being siphoned from the Highland Lakes is discussed.   Resident of the lake area are pumping water from the lakes for their own personal use.  The water being used is not being paid for by the majority of the residents and is becoming an issue for the Lower Colorado River Authority, as taking the water for free is illegal.  The LCRA is urging residents to sign a contract stating that they will pay for the amount of water which they siphon from the lake.  For those who fail to pay for the water which they use, the LCRA is ready to issue fines of up to $875.


I agree with the author's statement, "Its time they pay for the water they take."  Siphoning water from the lake is illegal and should be punishable by law.  Fines should be enforced and not withheld no matter what the excuse.  Many cities are drought stricken and nobody should be taking water for free.  There are certainly preventative measures that can be taken to avoid unnecessary water usage, especially in time of drought.  Landscaping should be done with drought tolerant plants that are native to the area.  Grass should be there naturally and should grow from rainfall, not hoses.


Although weather conditions have improved since last summer, the drought in central Texas remains. There is potential for heavy rain this upcoming summer, however, with the rate of the rainfall this year, it will take years to build the lakes back up to the level it was recently at. With the lakes at a historically low level, residents should refrain from using water directly from the lakes. Even with the amount of rain expected this upcoming Spring and Summer, we are dangerously close to the lowest water levels seen since the 10-year drought of the 1940's and 50's. (www.lcra.org/water/drought/index.html)


Overall, the author's approach to inform Texas residents of the illegal usage of water makes it easily an agreeable argument.  Most residents of the surrounding area should be more conscientious about water usage after reading this editorial.  Likewise it should be agreed that those taking water directly from our lakes should make a better effort to conserve water usage if payment their source of the issue.