Spicewood Beach and LCRA's water plan

Few communities have felt the impact of the drought like the little town of Spicewood Beach. Now nearly a year after spending about $35,000 a month getting water trucked in to supplement the amount of water needed, the LCRA says they are moving forward with a solution.

"We just had a board agenda item that was approved for a new intake" said Ryan Rowney, Water Operations Manager with the LCRA, "A floating barge or land based pump system that will allow water to be pulled out of Lake Travis".

The LCRA and a Canadian based company that will take over providing water have struck a deal worth an estimated $1.2M. A company spokesman says it's too early too tell what the water rates will be but will be transparent in their process.

"It's a very public process that people have input on" said Darrin Barker, Utility Operations Manager with Corix Industries, "So I would like people to be not so concerned about the rates I think were doing everything we can to mitigate those costs and make it very reasonable".

Barker says if all goes as planned, the new Spicewood Beach system will be operating by June. But some locals say they're not ready to celebrate yet, they say they'll believe it when they see the system built and up and running.

"You know I believe it, but then again I don't" said 4 year resident of the area Diana Castillo, "We've heard of so many things that change".

Anne Boyle believes it but is but is worried about paying for it. " Our concern is how much of the cost will be passed on to the residents out here" said Boyle, adding  "We are a community with a lot of retirees and low income residents so higher bills are an issue for us".

No matter what questions remain to be answered, residents agree, however long it takes to get the system going, it won't be soon enough.