DWR_4535774 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ground Water Commission Meeting Minutes Page 9 August 14 &t 15, 2025 Commissioner Hume concluded his report by mentioning Wilson Water Group is in the information gathering process for the study. Commissioner Pautler then asked Commissioner Hume what the timeline for the study is. Commissioner Hume responded that the study has only recently begun, and it's not clear yet what the schedule is yet. Mr. Glen Frihauf, reporting for the North Kiowa Bijou GWMD, was not in attendance and no report was provided. Ms. Tracy Doran, reporting for the Upper Black Squirrel GWMD, was not in attendance and no report was provided. Ms. Tracy Doran, reporting for the Upper Big Sandy GWMD, was not in attendance and no report was provided. Mr. Andy Jones, in place of Mr. Thomas Sauter, reporting for the Lost Creek GWMD, reported that there has been interest in aquifer storage and recovery projects inside the District, which has been raising questions about water quality. Mr. Jones continued that the District and Commission's authority to regulate water quality has been somewhat of an open question. Mr. Jones pointed out that the District may be sending the Commission and Attorney General Office ("AGO") requests for cooperation in the future when they are sorting out aquifer storage and recovery water quality issues in the District. Mr. Tietmeyer, reporting for the Upper Crow Creek GWMD, reported that the District is experiencing a drought, although the District very recently experienced heavy rainstorms and some flooding. Mr. Tietmeyer commented that he was curious how long the recharge period is for rainwater collected and stored as surface water to then infiltrate the alluvial aquifer. Although the District does not have a ground water monitoring program yet, Mr. Tietmeyer has been monitoring water levels in his own wells and noticed a significant decline. Mr. Tietmeyer believes the use it or lose it mentality seems to be driving excessive pumping. Mr. Tietmeyer also noticed that when he re-nozzled one of his wells to decrease the production rate, an adjacent well on his property saw an increase in production rate, highlighting how conservation by one water user is often subsequently taken up by another adjacent water user. Mr. Tietmeyer believes that if all water users in an area make minimal cuts to their pumping, the health of the aquifer will be substantially improved. Mr. Tietmeyer believes that a monitoring system would provide a better understanding of the aquifer conditions in the basin. Commissioner Pautler asked if the District works with the State to identify wells that could be used as part of a monitoring program.