Bastrop, Tx–At a meeting July 27 Bastrop County commissioners approved an agreement allowing the City of Manor to use some county road rights of way to construct a water pipeline to the city from northern Bastrop County.
A 12-inch pipeline could convey up to a million gallons a day to the growing and thirsty city east of Austin on US 290. “Manor needs water,” said Barry Knight, an attorney for the city. “We will need to import water in the future.”
Manor offered $25,000 for a three-year option to use the county rights of way. But the pipeline project is far from a done deal. To work, the pipeline will also need to use some state highway rights of way as well as easements from some private landowners, said Knight.
The lawyer said the water source would be wells controlled by a water development firm known as End-Op .
It has leased some water rights in the McDade area. A principal in the firm is former Wiliamson County commissioner Frankie Limmer, according to Joe Cooper, general manager of the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District.
End-Op holds permits to drill two test wells on the leases but has not sought permits to operate any wells there, said Cooper.
If Manor exercises its option, Bastrop County will be paid $300,000, said Knight.