A 26-member Eagle Ford Task Force appointed by Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter has concluded that the Carrizo Wilcox Aquifer in South Texas contains enough water to support oil and gas activities, including hydraulic fracturing, in addition to supporting other uses. 

The Task Force met in San Antonio twice in late 2011 to discuss water usage issues relating to development of the Eagle Ford Shale.  Some people have expressed concern that the aquifer might not be capable of simultaneously supporting both traditional users of the aquifer and increased use for hydraulic fracturing, particularly given the drought conditions existing in Texas.  But in a press release dated January 26, 2012, Commissioner Porter stated,

I am pleased to announce, after exhaustive research, our task force has found water sourcing in South Texas is currently not an issue." 

He added, "We will continue to study best practices for water management in the region to help mitigate any future issues." 

Data presented to the Task Force indicates that 6% of water in South Texas is used for oil and gas activity in the Eagle Ford Shale, 64% if used for irrigation, and 17% is used for municipal purposes.  The press release stated that industry has reduced the amount of water used to hydraulically fracture wells from an average of 15 acre-feet per well (approximately 4.9 million gallons) to 11 acre-feet per well (approximately 3.6 million gallons). 

Texas has numerous local Groundwater Conservation Districts that monitor water levels monthly.  Task Force member Mike Mahoney, who serves as General Manager of the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, stated that they "have seen water levels drop this past year due to the drought," but that "we do not see groundwater pumping for oil and gas drilling and completions as a significant contribution to the decline in water levels, when compared to overall pumping."

The press release quoted Task Force member Teresa Carrillo, a member of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter as expressing pleasure that industry has reduced water usage.  Ms. Carrillo expressed concern, however, that "pumping may have localized impacts on water levels in the aquifer and on aquifer discharges to stream and springs.  We are hopeful that through this task force process our concerns will be addressed." 

The Eagle Ford Task Force has plans to continue monthly meetings to discuss issues relevant to the region.

The Railroad Commission is the state agency that regulates oil and gas activity in Texas.