In this issue’s Q&A, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler interviews Adam Foster, Executive Director of the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD). 

Adam joined TAGD as the Executive Director in February 2024. He brings over 15 years of groundwater experience as a scientist and a regulator. Adam was previously a hydrologist for the Water Well Program at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), where he worked closely with districts on a wide range of issues. Prior to his time at TDLR, Adam was a hydrologist at the United States Geological Survey. He studied contaminant transport in karst aquifers, groundwater-surface water interactions, and the occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in the environment. He is a Texas State University graduate with a B.S. in Chemistry, a B.S. in Mathematics, and an M.S. in Chemistry.

What is the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, and who are its members?

TAGD is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that represents the collective interests of groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) across the state. GCDs are local governmental entities that manage groundwater resources within their boundaries. The primary focus of TAGD is to promote and support the local management and conservation of groundwater resources in Texas through education, collaboration, and advocacy.

At TAGD, we are dedicated to promoting effective groundwater management based on local aquifer conditions and grounded in science. We serve as an information hub for GCDs, facilitating communication and the sharing of best practices to enhance their management efforts. To ensure their interests are represented, we advocate on behalf of GCDs by tracking legislation and participating in policy discussions. Additionally, we collect data on GCDs and provide it to elected officials, state agencies, and the public. We are particularly proud of our interactive GCD Index and map viewer, which we have created to make the data easily available and accessible to users. 

TAGD members include 90 of the 98 GCDs in Texas, as well as a diverse group of over 40 groundwater-related consultants, law firms, and other interested stakeholders and businesses.

What are your priorities as Executive Director of the TAGD?

As the new Executive Director of the TAGD, my priorities center around supporting the needs of our member districts, fostering collaboration, and enhancing resources for groundwater management. Our member districts vary widely in terms of size, budget, groundwater use in their district, and the aquifers they manage, each with unique challenges and opportunities. My goal is to ensure that TAGD provides tailored support and resources to address these diverse needs effectively.

I believe collaboration is the key to our success, and I hope to strengthen the connection between district members. By working together, we can tackle common problems more efficiently and be a better resource for policymakers regarding policies that benefit all districts.

Additionally, working to secure more resources for groundwater science and data is a top priority of mine. GCDs are tasked with the responsibility of managing local groundwater resources and planning for current and future needs. Having good data is critical to that mission and I am committed to helping our districts get access to the resources they need to get the best data available and to conduct research when needed.

What previous experience has benefited you most in your new role at the TAGD?

My previous role at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has been incredibly beneficial in preparing me for my new position at TAGD. At TDLR, I had the opportunity to work closely with districts on a wide range of issues, from regulatory compliance to technical assistance. I traveled the state conducting groundwater-related investigations and educating various groups on groundwater in Texas. This boots-on-the-ground experience collaborating with nearly every GCD and well driller throughout the state gave me a deep understanding of groundwater issues in Texas.

In addition to my regulatory experience, my technical background as a hydrologist with the USGS for five years provided me with a strong foundation in groundwater science. This practical scientific knowledge allows me to approach groundwater management and policy with a comprehensive understanding of the hydrogeological principles involved. 

My background in both regulatory and technical fields allows me to better assist our districts with their complex issues. I am excited to use my experience to further TAGD’s mission of promoting local groundwater management and to support our member districts in achieving their stated goals.

What are some of the unique water challenges for Texas regarding groundwater?

I don’t think these are necessarily unique to Texas, but three challenges that I spend a lot of time thinking about are declining water levels, water quality problems stemming from contamination, and the impact of drought.

One of the primary challenges is the declining water levels in many of Texas’ major aquifers. Lower water levels not only reduces the availability of groundwater for future use but also increases the cost of pumping water to the surface as pumps need to be set lower and new wells need to be drilled deeper. Water level decline is a compounding issue relating to population increases, changing water quality, infrastructure needs, and the economics of producing groundwater into a single equation requiring multiple stakeholders to address the issue.

Another significant challenge is the contamination of groundwater from abandoned oil, gas, and water wells. These abandoned wells can act as conduits for pollutants, allowing contaminants to enter aquifers. This contamination can pose serious health risks and can render large areas of groundwater unusable. Addressing this issue involves identifying and properly plugging these abandoned wells, as well as monitoring groundwater quality to detect and mitigate contamination early.

Drought is a never-ending issue in Texas and poses a significant challenge especially in regions west of the I-35 Corridor, where water scarcity is more pronounced. For instance, last summer’s record heat and low precipitation resulted in drought conditions over 85% of the state. There were several municipalities across the state that rely on groundwater who were running on less than a 30-day supply and many water wells went dry.

What is the biggest challenge facing Texas’s GCDs?

Texas is the only state that considers groundwater a private property right, meaning landowners have the right to pump and use the groundwater underneath their property. GCDs are charged with managing and conserving groundwater resources within their jurisdiction. The challenge for GCDs is finding that balance between their responsibility to conserve and develop groundwater resources while also respecting private property rights.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing Texas over the next 20 years regarding water?

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and we certainly have some BIG challenges in regards to water. In my opinion, the biggest challenge we face in the next 20 years will be ensuring there is enough water supply to meet the demands of the state’s rapidly growing population, especially along the “Texas triangle” (bounded by the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio metropolitan areas). To address this Texas-sized challenge, we should continue to invest heavily in infrastructure and resource development of new water sources, such as desalination, water reuse and recycling programs, and constructing new reservoirs. We should also promote, study, and fund aquifer storage and recovery and managed aquifer recharge projects that store excess water during wet periods. Additionally, we need to protect existing water supplies, including incentivizing water conservation measures and adopting policies that prevent waste and pollution. Addressing this challenge will not be an easy task, but if we use a comprehensive approach, we will have a better chance of having enough water in the future.