Under Pressure Texas Aquifers Face Modern Challenges
August 23, 2024Belding Farms fights to protect aquifer amid growing water export concerns
First Alert 7
August 31, 2024
FORT STOCKTON, Texas (KOSA) - Located 99 miles from Midland, Belding Farms, a 60-year-old pecan orchard in Fort Stockton, is making significant strides to safeguard its groundwater supply. The farm recently petitioned the local groundwater district to create a mitigation fund. This mitigation fund would be used to help offset potential negative impacts on water wells as a result of declining aquifer levels which are driven by increasing water exports.
The growing demand for water in West Texas, especially in Midland, is putting increasing pressure on Pecos County’s aquifer system. In July, Midland revealed plans to tap into the water supply managed by Fort Stockton Holdings (FSH), a longstanding land-owning family, through a groundwater production and transport permit. This permit allows FSH to produce and utilize 28,400 acre-feet of water annually from the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer.