UTGCD to fund local rainwater harvesting projects

Three local entities are about to take advantage of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (UTGCD) rainwater harvesting grant program.

UTGCD recently announced Slidell ISD, the City of Paradise and the City of New Fairview as finalists for the grant. The funds provided by UTGCD help aid the entities in their respective projects that focus on capturing rainwater for municipal, agricultural and educational purposes. 

Slidell ISD is preparing to use the grant for the addition of rainwater harvesting tanks at its elementary campus, as well as irrigation in its pollinator garden beds. The tanks will be used in the elementary ag program to assist with maintaining and growing produce. After Slidell ISD’s new kitchen is completed as part of its May 2023 bond, the goal is to serve the produce in the school cafeteria.

“They’re one of the few ISDs in our area that have an elementary ag teacher. They’ve had a real ag-minded focus … and that kind of inspired them to apply for the grant,” said Jill Garcia, UTGCD Assistant General Manager. “What they are trying to do matches really well with [UTGCD’s] mission statement, which is to preserve, conserve and protect groundwater resources, as well as native plant implementation.”

The City of New Fairview is looking to use the grant to collect rainwater from 50 percent of the roof of the municipal complex. Garcia said has the potential to serve in multiple capacities, including storage for future water/wastewater treatment, fire suppression and irrigation with local first responding agencies and also as an educational tool.

The City of Paradise plans to use the UTGCD resources to fund rainwater harvesting for the Paradise Youth Recreation Association (PYRA). Rain would be collected from an existing building at the PYRA facilities, stored in a 30,000-60,000 tank and used for irrigation on its four fields. The storage tank could also serve as a resource for Wise County Emergency Services District 3.

“What we’re hoping at the end of the day for these rainwater harvesting projects is that a family, group or kid on a field trip will be able to walk by and check one of these systems out, read some of the educational signage and take that back to their family or friends,” Garcia said. “We’re hoping that network can kind of spread …People will be able to realize it can help you with your gardening, outdoor irrigation, whatever it may be. If you’re reducing that groundwater consumption, you’re honestly just making a positive impact on the Trinity Aquifer.”