LPGCD eyes continued growth, stewardship

Bastrop County’s groundwater authority is celebrating a year marked by program growth and continued investment in a sustainable future, and officials say they are looking to keep up with community engagement in 2026.

This year, the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD) expanded its outreach and education programs with instructional classes, art contests and youth leadership awards. The district will continue to strengthen conservation collaboration and expand opportunities for county residents into the new year, according to General Manager Elvis Hernandez.

“The new LPGCD community programs implemented in 2025 have made this a year of real progress,” Hernandez said. “When the public becomes involved in groundwater stewardship, it helps to protect the resources we all depend on.”

LPGCD hosted five rainwater harvesting workshops that reached more than 100 participants throughout 2025. The workshops, led in a joint effort with other local organizations, helped residents learn practical ways to conserve water and capture rain for home and garden use.

Residents installed systems totaling nearly 40,000 gallons of storage capacity, and the Well Watch Program grew with dozens of new property owners volunteering their wells for regular water level monitoring.

To help local students, the district’s essay contest saw graduating seniors share ideas on groundwater sustainability, while the annual Student Art Contest engaged all grades with creative awareness projects. Winning essays earned scholarships, and art pieces will be featured in the LPGCD 2026 water conservation calendar.

One young conservationist was even awarded the opportunity to attend the statewide Water Ambassador Leadership Academy and gain hands-on experience in water management.

The district also launched two new initiatives this year. The state-backed Agricultural Flow Meter Program helped area landowners track and reduce groundwater use, and the Well Capping and Plugging Program safely sealed abandoned wells to protect groundwater quality.

Plans for next year include increased rebate promotion, enhanced educational programs and continued efforts to protect and preserve the water resources that make Bastrop County thrive, according to organizers.

More information is available at lostpineswater. org.