Council Activities

Council at Large

The 23 members of the Water Conservation Advisory Council meet regularly about 6 – 8 times a year. Please check the Agendas & Minutes to find out the location and agenda for the next council meeting. You can also access the minutes, presentations, and handout material for previous council meetings.

Organization of Work

The Council recognizes the importance of incorporating the input and perspectives of key stakeholders as they move forward in addressing their legislative charges. For this reason the council has organized workgroups that consist of participation from both council members and interested parties. Formation of these workgroups help to provide focused approaches on addressing the challenges and issues that a unique stakeholder groups are faced with. Each workgroup has its own unique perspective on key issues relating to metrics, best management practices, and trends in public awareness and conservation efforts.

Creating multiple workgroups also has the added benefit of achieving a voluntary division of labor based on individual member expertise and areas of interest. The Council agreed that all substantive decisions and/or recommendations made by the workgroups are to be reported back to the full membership for their consideration and final disposition. Council members and interested parties are encouraged to serve on as many workgroups as they wish.

 

Council Publications

Role of the Council

Duties of the Water Conservation Advisory Council include:

  • Monitoring trends in water conservation implementation and new technologies for possible inclusion as best management practices;
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of the statewide water conservation public awareness program; developing and implementing a state water management resource library;
  • Developing and implementing a public recognition program for water conservation;
  • Monitoring the implementation of water conservation strategies by water users included in regional water plans;
  • Monitoring target and goal guidelines for water conservation to be considered by the TWDB and TCEQ; and
  • Evaluate the desirability of requiring certification of water conservation training facilities entities and programs that provide assistance to retail public utilities in developing water conservation plans.

No later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the Council is to submit to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House of Representatives a report on progress made in water conservation in this state. For additional information about the Council please contact the Conservation Division at the Texas Water Development Board, by email at wcac@twdb.texas.gov, or by telephone at (512) 936-2343.

Decision Making Process

The operational approach adopted and practiced by the Council includes:

  1. Developing an adopted Charter and Bylaws. The organizational charter outlines the purpose, goals, form and function of the Water Conservation Advisory Council.
  2. Holding agenda-driven, all-day meetings of the full Council every 30-90 days.
  3. Council meetings are to be posted and open to the public and provide an opportunity for public comment.
  4. Holding workgroup meetings or discussions as needed in person and/or via teleconference or the Internet.
  5. Pursuing consensus on substantive decisions made by the full Council but accepting the passage of motions by a majority vote on the basis of affirmation by two-thirds of the voting Council members present.

All Council meetings are open meetings, posted in the Texas Register and on the Council web site. Email advisories are also issued for each meeting. A public comment period is included in each Council meeting. Drafts of Council documents are posted on the web site and emailed to a large number of interested parties. Information on the draft documents and invitation to comment is also made available. E-mails are sent to interest group members who have requested information on Council reports and activities.