The decision regarding the construction of a new water service line for the Mirasol Springs development in Bee Cave, Texas, has been postponed until November 18th, following a board meeting of the West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA).
Mirasol Springs, a controversial project that aims to feature around 40 homesites, cabins, and a hotel while preserving much of the land with a conservation easement, has been met with opposition from landowners and activists for over two years. Developers had previously applied for permits to pump groundwater and collect surface water from the Pedernales River, which raised concerns about the sustainability of the project’s water usage.
In September, Mirasol Capital, the group behind the development, submitted a request for the construction of a water service line to provide water to the proposed homes, cottages, and hotel. The line, which would run to the property off Hamilton Pool Road, is to be built and funded by the developers themselves.
Despite the developers’ eagerness to move forward with the project, activists from Save the Pedernales and the Save Our Springs Alliance have protested against the new water service line, citing concerns about increased development and groundwater pumping. Victoria Rose, a staff attorney for the Save Our Springs Alliance, referenced a study from the Meadows Center at Texas State that showed a rise in residential wells following the construction of a pipeline along U.S. 290 in 2016.
If the new service line is eventually approved, it will not be operational right away. Additional facilities need to be constructed before the line can be activated, with the earliest possible date for completion being 2027, as per a WTCPUA spokesperson.
The delay in the decision regarding the water service line for Mirasol Springs reflects the ongoing debate between developers, landowners, and environmental activists about the future of the project and its potential impact on the surrounding area. The outcome of the upcoming board meeting on November 18th will determine the next steps for this contentious development in the Hill Country.