Investing in a Sustainable Water Future for Bastrop and Lee Counties

As 2025 comes to a close, the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD) is celebrating a year marked by community engagement, program growth, and continued investment in a sustainable water future for Bastrop and Lee Counties.

This year, LPGCD expanded its outreach and education programs, hosting five rainwater harvesting workshops that reached more than 100 participants. These workshops, led in collaboration with the Lee County AgriLife Extension Service, the Lost Pines Master Gardeners, Aqua Water Supply Corporation, Bastrop Community Gardens, and Giddings Nursery & Garden Center, helped residents learn practical ways to conserve water and capture rain for home and garden use.

Through the Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program, residents installed systems totaling nearly 39,425 gallons of storage capacity, turning workshop lessons into measurable conservation action. The District also launched two new initiatives: the Agricultural Flow Meter Program, supported by a Texas Water Development Board grant, to help producers track and reduce groundwater use, and the Well Capping & Plugging Program, which assists landowners with safely sealing abandoned wells to protect groundwater quality.

Meanwhile, the Well Watch Program continued to grow, with dozens of new property owners volunteering their wells for regular water level monitoring to support long-term groundwater management.

LPGCD also made significant progress in student outreach and youth leadership. The Senior High School Essay Scholarship Contest invited graduating seniors from Bastrop and Lee Counties to share their ideas on groundwater sustainability and conservation, with top essays earning scholarship awards. The District also partnered with Texas 4-H to sponsor a Water Ambassador Scholarship, giving one local student the opportunity to attend the statewide Water Ambassador Leadership Academy and gain hands-on experience in water management and leadership.

In addition, the annual Student Art Contest engaged K–12 students in creative water conservation awareness through original artwork. Winning pieces are featured in the District’s 2026 Water Conservation Calendar.

“Our community’s involvement has made this a year of real progress,” said General Manager Elvis Hernandez. “When people attend workshops and sign up their well for our monitoring program, they help us protect the resource we all depend on. Groundwater stewardship works best when everyone takes part.”

As 2026 approaches, the District will continue to strengthen community collaborations and expand opportunities for residents and students to get involved. Plans for next year include increased rebate promotion, enhanced educational programs, and continued efforts to protect and preserve the water resources that make Bastrop and Lee Counties thrive.

From the Board and staff at LPGCD, thank you for being part of our mission to protect, preserve, and promote the water resources that sustain our communities.

Learn more or get involved at www.lostpineswater.org.