The election set for May 12th for the selection of 3 at large candidates for the position of Directors of the Water Board will have a huge impact on every citizen residing in Brown County.  I strongly urge each and every eligible voter to research the candidates and select the people you want to mold the shape of our present and future water resources.

There seems to be a lack of interest in the water board activities until there is a drought or flood, then, the immediate attention becomes a knee-jerk reaction.  The primary activity of the board is to oversee and protect the waters of Lake Brownwood, and to provide water for the citizens of the District for potable and irrigation waters.  The Water Board must protect assets and a reasonable profit to maintain the Lake, the Water Treatment Plant, and the irrigation system.

I have learned from recent forums and news reports that the District has been operating the irrigation system at a loss, did not have in place a drought contingency plan until the Lake was at 50% level, and do not have a true conservation plan.  Presently, we are scrambling to find new sources of water.  BCWID#1 is not the only entity scrambling in the water race due to the recent drought, but I believe we are behind because of ineffective and lethargic leadership.

Everyone please remember the dirty water we received last summer.  Did anyone get a reasonable explanation of why our water was dirty and the chemical analysis of what was in that water?  I do know we supposedly have a “state of art” new treatment plant that has never produced water to the quantity specified.  According to the Abilene office of the TCEQ Board, the system was “new” and the operators failed to operate the system properly. Within two days of the visit by the inspector, the water had cleared up.

One board member recently stated, ”Coleman said the biggest problem facing the lake is evaporation.”  We have absolutely no control over evaporation, which is true.  But what other means of conservation has the board taken?  We are inundated since the flood of 2002 with salt cedars around the lake.  They are a pesky bush that I understand from Google drink 100 gallons of water each day.

I do not want to point fingers at the current board, but the lack of attention given these few factors tell me they are not managing our life source for the future. Two of the incumbent board members are long tenured as representatives and I believe the third is seeking his first “elected” term. Working for the people is not an easy job, but I believe you should be accountable for your actions as an elected official.  Short term or long term answers are not being published for the public, not sure who is to blame, but we need to be informed of all actions concerning our water and quality of water.

We all take for granted going to the kitchen, turning on the water, and enjoying a cool drink of water.  The question remains what is the quality of that glass of water.  Have you ever seen published a chemical breakdown of the contents of our water?  Some analysis suggests that drugs cannot be removed by filtration and chemical treatments.  Next time you go for that nice clear sparkling glass of water, ask yourself, do I know what is in this glass?  Where is the content label?

Please get informed about your water supply and who should control our future water supply.  Now is the opportunity to change the makeup of the board, or let it stay the same outdated and lethargic entity.  Lake Brownwood is the greatest asset in Brown County, I urge each and every one of you to vote and protect your interest.

-Jim Ketcham