When you vote, remember the Concho...

The City of San Angelo is a key steward of the river. The position of Mayor brings with it much responsibility for the Concho's health. As the May 3rd election draws near, the viewpoints of the next Mayor are more important than ever.

We asked each candidate to provide feedback on the questions below. Their responses are posted here in the hope that San Angelo voters will be better informed on their views related to the Concho.

Response order has been alternated for fairness. 

Texas voters approved the creation of a $1 billion Texas Water Fund in 2023 to fund water infrastructure upgrades, new water supply projects, and a statewide water public awareness program due to the projected 73% population growth in Texas by 2070. The current daily demand in San Angelo averages 12.5 million gallons per day and primarily comes from OH Ivie Reservoir, which is fed by the Concho and Colorado Rivers. What are your views on how to balance growing communities/economies with limited water resources, particularly as it relates to the Concho?

Balancing the water demands of a growing community and economy presents significant challenges, particularly in our drought ridden West Texas environment. However, I do believe that Senator Perry’s bill SB7, which strives to designate a much needed $1 billion annually in funding towards the development of NEW WATER sources, will be approved by Texas voters once it is placed on the ballot. West Texans are fully  aware and place a great importance on water management strategies. They understand that without aggressive and creative water sourcing programs the future of our cities is jeopardized. A review of the Texas Water Development Board’s 2026 Water Plan for Region F, appears to provide well thought out solutions that allow for increased growth within our communities while addressing our water needs. These solutions include conservation, brush control, reuse of treated wastewater, precipitation enhancements, and desalination. While these solutions are not without significant costs, they are imperative to our overall existence and every effort should be made to lay the foundation for moving these projects forward, especially given the possibility of annual state funding.

While the Fort Stockton Holdings water project and the planned Concho River Water Project contribute significantly towards fulfillment of the increased population/economic development water demands, we must continue to support the Texas Water Development Board and our localized West Texas Water Partnership (WTWP) in their efforts to look for new and aggressive solutions to our needs. The expertise that these groups bring to the table will enable us to make informed decisions based on data and research provided.

Water must remain a top priority for our city officials and while we must be open to new and innovative ideas that future technology may bring, decisions on whether or not we implement these new technologies must be rooted in data and research.

In my eight years on the council and eight years on the Concho River Watermaster Advisory Committee, my service has focused on securing San Angelo's water supply. A good balance of surface, aquifer, and reclamation sources creates a water supply cluster based on three individual legs to help balance supply and protect citizens from the troubles of non-balanced water supplies. The more legs we add to stand on, the safer our future is in San Angelo.

I would point out that during the peak summer days, usage can exceed 18 million gallons per day.

Leg 1: Lake Ivie- A Surface Water Supply (shared with other cities).

Leg 2: The Ford Ranch Acquisition—The Hickory Aquifer Supply will soon provide 12 million treatable/usable gallons per day. Should a well become inoperable, the field can be expanded to meet permitting limits. This is great flexibility.

Leg 3: Concho River Water Project: This is a Reclamation process that will be expanded to reclaim our daily usage, moving toward net zero consumption.

Potential Future Source: The West Texas Water Partnership also allows San Angelo to potentially realize gains from its sister cities, Abilene and Midland. The Fort Stockton Holdings venture is a massive step from which we may benefit.

Ultimately, the more parts that contribute to the supply cluster, the less dependent COSA will have to be on any one supply, especially the Concho River.

There is a very delicate balance between having enough water to sustain our growing communities and keeping our wildlife ecosystems in and around the Concho River safe and intact. Both of these things are important priorities. Some things we could do to help with both of these issues are having conservation programs in affect, water loss mitigation, and utilize the Texas Water Trust. While we do need to balance growing economies with our limited water supply; we also need to protect our public and environmental health.

While we have limited water resources, we still have the capability to balance growing communities and economies by ensuring that future development along the Concho River takes into consideration that water conservation is imperative and we need to use technological advances in water purification and recycling or reclamation a must.

No response received.

From the City of San Angelo: The Concho River Water Project “…involves releasing highly treated water to federal and state standards from the City’s wastewater treatment plant into the Concho River. After it has flowed down that ‘natural pipeline,’ the water will be recouped farther downstream.” Do you have any environmental concerns related to the project, and what message would you send to voters about water and wildlife safety?

The environmental aspects of this project have been thoroughly evaluated through consultant assessments and the rigorous review conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) during the permit preparation.

This is unique to each river process. Each discharge permit is evaluated specifically to the receiving water body, in this case, the Concho River. This site-specific approach ensures that the permit conditions are appropriate for the river's unique ecological characteristics.

Please note that the discharge of treated wastewater into rivers is not unique to this project. The communities of Ballinger, Robert Lee, and Winters already have permitted discharges of treated wastewater that ultimately flow downstream to O.H. Ivie, highlighting the basin’s capacity to assimilate treated effluent under carefully regulated conditions.

The safety of our water and wildlife is very important, and it should be taken seriously. Although the Concho River Water Project has some good ideas behind it, it is important to consider the potential negative environmental effects it might cause. Some of those effects could be excess growth of algae, ecological disruption, energy consumption, and contamination/ toxicity of the water. Most of these effects can be avoided by making sure the wastewater is treated correctly before being released into the Concho, and testing the water frequently to ensure the water is safe for ourselves and the wildlife.

I have concerns regarding the releasing of highly treated water into the Concho river from the city's wastewater treatment plant even if it meets federal and state standards. It does not mean there won’t be some contaminants and some threat to the safety of drinking water or a water that goes into the river, which could affect wildlife in a negative way so I have concerns, but I believe that I need to speak more to not only the water conservation folks, but the environmental protection service as well to see just where we stand with this process of releasing treated water from the city's wastewater treatment plant into the Concho River. We need to know the long-term effects of doing that and how it affects wildlife as well as how it will affect all of us who live in San Angelo.

While at first glance, releasing highly treated wastewater into the Concho River seems to be contrary to the protection of our environment, we must keep in mind that releasing highly treated wastewater downstream is not a new process. Currently several cities within the Texas Water Board Region F utilize this process to augment their water supplies (Abilene, Wichita Falls, Robert Lee, Ballinger). However, in order to alleviate voter concerns, I would recommend partnering with cities that are utilizing this process today to understand any environmental issues that they may have encountered upon implementation of said process. Voters would then need to be educated on the risks and benefits of this process as it pertains to both the general public and our wildlife community. Overall the message needs to be one that assures the voters that this is a viable alternative that satisfies both safety and economic pressures while insuring a zero impact to the wildlife.

No response received.

In 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed six species of freshwater mussels found in Central Texas under the Endangered Species Act. These creatures are often referred to as “the liver of the river” because of their filtering function, and the Concho River Basin is home to many of them. What is your view on the state of the Concho in regard to wildlife, and what are your priorities or concerns, if any?

Freshwater mussels play a major role in the Concho River ecosystem. One mussel alone can filter approximately 8 to 15 gallons of water in one day. It is vital to keep their population from decreasing in order to help naturally filter the concho of algae and some bacteria. When their numbers decrease it as a negative effect on the entire ecosystem of the Concho. All wildlife is important, and we need to do what we can to help prevent destroying habitats.

The mussels referred to as “the liver of the river” are essential to the Concho River for maintaining the cleanliness of the river by feeding on algae and other life forms that would pollute the river.

We must preserve these little helpers, while at the same time, eliminating the mussels that pose a hazard by clogging up sewer and drainage pipes, preventing the “filtering” of the water from being effective.

I would need to gather more information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and listen to what the agency has discovered and listen to any  recommendations they may make. The Concho River is a beautiful resource that must be maintained as a high priority of the next mayoral administration. I would advocate for more funding to protect this valuable resource and I would advocate for better enforcement to prevent pollution and contamination of the Concho River.

The Concho River Basin is a primary habitat for our wildlife from both a water and vegetation role. The natural balance of our environment must and will remain a priority. The endangered mussels found in our waters are part of the “natural pipeline” that serves to filter and remove contaminants, hence, they are critical to any wastewater release project. Since both Coke and Runnels Counties (currently releasing wastewater into Ivie Reservoir) reflect the same endangered species found in Tom Green County waters, it is imperative that we learn from them and follow their lead in this effort. I would request that periodic wildlife studies and water testing be conducted to insure that overall wildlife is not negatively impacted.

Additionally we must continue the focus on the North Fork of the Concho River from O.C. Fisher Reservoir to Bell Street. Historically this stretch of the river has suffered from oxygen depletion and high E. coli, leading to fish kills. Data from a 2016 study shows that fish kills have been virtually eliminated and that the E. coli concentrations have decreased. As a city, we must continue to implement the Best Management Practices as outlined in the Federal Clean Water Act to maintain the positive trend that has resulted from these efforts.

Lastly we must take a hard stance to prevent the invasive zebra mussels from further infesting our waters. Information from a 2020 Fisheries Management Plan warned that these organisms multiply rapidly and attach themselves to any available hard surface. To control or eradicate this species will be a costly but necessary process as the potential for this species to spread poses a serious threat to all public waters. We must continue to educate the public on this matter and ask for their help in controlling the spread of these mussels. I would also recommend working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to begin an aggressive campaign to monitor and hopefully prevent the further spread of these organisms.

The common-sense decisions about the benefits of natural filtration systems emphasize the importance of a balanced ecosystem.

It’s a common perspective from anyone familiar with the river on the benefits of natural filtration systems and strongly believe in the importance of a balanced and healthy ecosystem. The Concho River is an asset to West Texas, and we recognize the strong connection  that countless individuals and the region's ecological health have with the Concho River.

Protecting the environmental integrity and natural processes of the Concho River is paramount. Maintaining its ecological independence and purity is crucial for safeguarding the diverse habitats it supports and the wildlife that depend on it as a

water resource. Any project activities regarding the river should be carefully reviewed and scrutinized for their potential impacts on the river system and its long-term health.

No response received.

Since 2019, at least 1.5 million gallons of raw, untreated sewage water have been accidentally discharged into the Concho River due to either incidents at the City’s wastewater treatment plant or collapsed sewer mains. What views do you have on the spills and where would wastewater infrastructure improvements rank in your administration? 

The Concho River is a beautiful resource that must be maintained as a high priority of the next mayoral administration. I would advocate for more funding to protect this valuable resource and I would advocate for better enforcement to prevent pollution and contamination of the Concho River.

With regard to 1.5 million gallons of raw, untreated sewage water that was accidentally discharged int the Concho River due to either incidents at the City’s wastewater treatment plant or collapsed sewer mains, the city needs to allocate more funding to correct deficiencies at the wastewater treatment plant and the sewer mains. Our water resources are vital to sustain San Angelo as a great place to live, work and conduct business. We cannot ignore or delay what needs to be done to fix this issue.

Untreated sewage flowing into the City’s water supply is highly concerning and every effort needs to be made to keep this from happening again. We all understand that our wastewater treatment plant and our sewer mains are antiquated and desperately in need of replacement, so the questions becomes, why have we not been aggressively pursuing resources and financing to make this happen? Currently I am aware of several projects within our Capital Improvements Plan that could be delayed; improvements to Chadbourne St from Beauregard North to the railroad tracks, the Aylor River Stage remodeling project, and the Convention Center remodeling project. Delaying these projects would allow us to channel much needed resources and funds towards upgrading our water facilities and sewer mains; projects that better address the needs of the entire community. At some point city officials must prioritize our aging water facilities and pipes as “critical to our citizen’s safety and well-being.” This is an issue that isn’t going away but instead will increasingly worsen. It’s time to focus on getting this corrected as quickly as possible.

Protecting our water resources is key to San Angelo. Most San Angelo citizens remember the “Boil Water’ notices of 2020 and 2023. The Concho River Water Project presents a significant opportunity for the responsible discharge of treated water and, more importantly, for a complete overhaul of our wastewater treatment infrastructure. This upgrade will deliver increased capacity, implement more effective treatment processes, and replace our aging systems, directly mitigating the risks of future contamination events like the past spills.

My previous efforts on the Lake Nasworthy Sewer project demonstrate my commitment to addressing outdated and undersized systems. Furthermore, the decisive action to allocate necessary funding for repairing the collapsed sewer line under the loop underscores my dedication to preventing further environmental harm. Prioritizing the ongoing replacement of our oldest lines will be a continuous effort under my leadership to safeguard the Concho River.

These spills were accidents which happen, but more than likely could have been avoided if improvements would have been made before they occurred. Improvements to our wastewater infrastructure is ranked as one of my top priorities for this community. It is imperative that we keep our water clean and safe from pollution for our health and the wildlife.

No response received.

Historically, oil companies injected water produced from drilling wells back into the ground. But the prevalence of earthquakes has led them to explore alternate means of disposal, including the development of some treatment processes for disposal of the water into surface streams and rivers instead. In fact, Texas has issued permits to allow discharge of 840,000 gallons a day into Salt Creek, which feeds the Pecos River. Advocates suggest that treated water would bring life to dry riverbeds, while opponents worry about wildlife and human safety since the science is unproven. Given that the North Concho River reaches into the Permian Basin, what are your views on the potential for that branch to be utilized in a similar way? 

I do not believe that there is sufficient information available to determine the long-term impact that disposal of oilfield produced wastewater will have on human safety and the environment overall. Two states (PA & WY) that allow this process have recorded elevated levels of salt and radioactive chemicals in the sediment of downstream discharges. This is absolutely unacceptable. We cannot rush into some “quick solution” simply because it is convenient for the oil companies. I would not support the discharge of oilfield produced wastewater into the North Concho River until such time as it could be verified that doing so would have little to no impact on the health of our community and the environment for our wildlife.

Additionally, I would challenge the oil industry to step up and provide some type of funding for the research and development of new and better alternatives to dispose of this wastewater. This is a matter that has significant impact on the oilfield industry and I would hope that they would be more than willing to come together to develop a safe and acceptable solution for all parties.

The oilfield industry employs 1,000’s of individuals and pays considerable dollars in taxes. We need and want to support this industry as they struggle to overcome new challenges, but we must do this based on educated and fact driven data.

This question addresses the recent authorizations that release treated oilfield wastewater into the Pecos River and a few other authorizations issued across the state. The TCEQ has authorized and even created a general permit for discharges east of the 98 meridian to introduce treated oilfield wastewater into these streams.

My stance is that letting anyone deposit treated oilfield wastewater UPSTREAM of the Concho River is highly questionable. From my research, I see this as almost a pilot project without much review or oversight from TCEQ. I find it challenging to think that the potential to abuse this privilege wouldn’t be inviting.

In 2020, the contamination event discovered in North San Angelo was likely only a few gallons. COSA caught it, but it is a quick reminder that the San Angelo water supply and distribution system are susceptible, and implementing Customer Service Inspectors helps us focus on prevention and protection.

The main concern I have about releasing the water produced from drilling wells into streams and rivers, even after being treated, is the safety of ourselves and the wildlife. Since there isn’t science that proves if there are long term negative effects on people or wildlife, I do not believe it would be wise. Pennsylvania and Wyoming are states that have decided to go through with this process, and they have had pollution issues that have to do with this process. Therefore, why risk ourselves and wildlife if we don’t know if this would harm us or not.

I am very concerned for the impact this will have on the North Concho River. Everything from naturally occurring radioactive material, to dozens of toxic drilling lubricants, to “forever chemicals” known as PFAS have been detected in produced water. Existing water quality standards do not cover many of these constituents, leaving regulators to evaluate the risk of these discharges with limited toxicity data.

Texas joins states like Pennsylvania and Wyoming that are among the few that have permitted produced water discharges. Pollution problems related to produced water discharges have been documented in both states. In neighboring New Mexico, regulators have decided to wait for more scientific study before issuing permits for discharges. I happen to agree with New Mexico, that we should wait to obtain more data on the effect and impact of injecting treated wastewater from drilling wells. Last, but not least, the injections of water has produced earthquakes, which is a concern for me and I believe everyone else.

No response received.