New Ground Water Study. Rice University Baker School

What’s happening? A Rice University Fellow is reminding us that Texas Rule of Capture is more than 120 years old and is based on water practices from more than 1000 years ago in Ancient Rome. Texas is growing fast. More people. More industry. More more more.

Why is this important? Instead of responding reactively per usual, see the next question, let’s proactively and plan. He suggests looking to these states for ground water policy: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio and Oklahoma. Wink wink, nudge, nudge OH and MI  groundwater law doctrines “emphasize an equitable balance between competing uses while still respecting water owners’ property rights”

How will this be important? As drought conditions worsen, access to water rises nd the policy questions re-emerge. Cyclical policy changes.

Overruling the Rule of Capture | Baker Institute

Corridor News | Study warns Texas must address future of groundwater policy