House Bill 1437

LCRA provides raw water to several communities in Williamson County.

Most of Williamson County is outside the lower Colorado River watershed, but House Bill 1437 authorizes LCRA to provide water to entities in the county in some circumstances.

The Texas Legislature passed HB 1437 in 1999. The bill authorizes LCRA to transfer up to 25,000 acre-feet of water annually to Williamson County, if the transfer results in “no net loss” of water to the lower Colorado River basin. “No net loss” means an amount of water equal to that transferred is conserved, replaced or offset. LCRA has a contract with the Brazos River Authority for 25,000 acre-feet of water.

HB 1437 also establishes a conservation surcharge on water contracted under this bill. The surcharge funds conservation projects that result in “no net loss” of water to the basin.