10/27/2025
Taking RSVPs! (254) 933-0120
Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District, together with local partners, will host the 24th Annual Bell County Water Symposium on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Cadence Bank Center, 301 W Loop 121, Belton. Since 2001, the symposium has served as a cornerstone event in Bell County, offering valuable insight into local and regional water strategies, policies, and regulatory responsibilities. Legacy partners include the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Bell County, the Bell County Engineers Office, and the Bell County Commissioners Court, with many additional sponsors supporting this year’s event. The annual symposium provides an intimate setting for stakeholders to recognize the shared responsibility of meeting the water needs of communities and industries across Central Texas.
The imminent need for water supply resiliency becomes more evident as the county navigates growth and climate variability. Since its inception, Clearwater’s investment in scientific endeavors has helped citizens, local leaders, and policymakers better understand water resources and the advantages of emerging technologies.
The day's Keynote will be delivered by Ms. Sarah Kirkle, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for the Texas Water Association. Since 2020, Sarah has worked with members of TWA to develop policy positions and advance initiatives at the Texas Legislature. Previously, she was Director of Policy and Planning at Texas 2036 and spent 13 years at the Sunset Advisory Commission, working across most sectors of state government to make government work smaller and smarter. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Services and Development from Tarleton State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas.
Doors open for registration in the Assembly Hall at 8:00 AM. Come early to enjoy hot coffee, light morning refreshments, and visit the booths of our educational partners. Formal presentations will begin at 9:00 AM. Whitney Ingram, CUWCD General Manager, will serve as a moderator for the event.
Presentations throughout the day will center around answering a looming concern – How does Bell County ensure the resiliency and viability of our region’s water supply?
Our first speaker of the morning will be Mr. Michael Irlbeck, Director of Business Development at EPCOR. Mr. Irlbeck will walk attendees through the critical components of Texas water planning as it relates to big issues with aging infrastructure, storage capacity, funding, and drought. Texas relies on surface water to meet most of its crucial demands, but is our approach sustainable?
Next up, Mr. Tony Smith, Associate Vice President at Carollo Engineers, will provide a brief update on the status of the 2026 Brazos G Initially Prepared Plan (IPP) and Brazos G Regional Water Planning group efforts.
Then, Dr. Neil Deeds, Vice President and Principal at INTERA and Dr. David Smith, Principal at INTERA, will showcase their innovative approach to extending current water supplies through Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) in Bell County. The team will present updates on the two concurrent ASR projects both centered on the Lower Trinity, or the Hosston formation.
After a break for networking and refreshments, presentations will focus on local District work. CUWCD General Manager, Whitney Ingram, will provide an update on the groundwater resources across the county highlighting the District’s management strategies and initiatives. Mr. Mike Keester, Principal at KT Groundwater and the District’s Hydrogeologist, will discuss how years of data collection across the District have led to better resource management. Over the past several years, his team has developed analytical tools to help the District interpret conditions, trends, and the effectiveness of management strategies.
Johnny’s Steaks and BBQ will provide the catered lunch – your choice of tri-tip and turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and tea. The meal is provided at no cost, courtesy of the event sponsors. Please make sure that your RSVP is received by November 10, 2025 for the meal count.
Following lunch and the Keynote address, Mrs. Meg Pierce-Walsh, Water Quality/Permitting Practice Leader, Plummer Associates, Inc., will discuss a heavy topic for policy makers as she addresses the ever-changing landscape of PFAS regulation and effects on our water supply.
To end the day Mr. Jason Knobloch, Deputy Executive Director at the Texas Rural Water Association, will discuss the issues that face rural water suppliers balancing an expanding customer base and public trust to provide safe and clean water.
The Board of Directors and Clearwater UWCD staff look forward to another year showcasing the importance of both surface water and groundwater to Bell County’s robust economy and way of life. Sponsors of the 2025 event are KT Groundwater, Garney Construction, Bell County Engineer's Office, Freese & Nichols, KPA Engineers, Lake Stillhouse Clean Water, Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C., Advanced Groundwater Solutions, Collier Consulting, Eno Scientific, INTERA, Envision Water, Texas Rural Water Association, Plummer Associates, Inc, Bell County WCID #1, LRE Water, Capital Farm Credit, Central Texas Water Alliance, Bell County Commissioner’s Court, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension–Bell County.
This event is free, but requires your RSVP by November 10, 2025. Call 254-933-0120, email [email protected], or visit our website at www.cuwcd.org.
