In this edition of news from HPWD:

• Agriculture Water Sustainability Summit
• 4-H Water Ambassadors
• Ogallala Commons Field Day 
• South Plains Fair Conservation Exhibit
• R.A.C.E. Field Days
• Conservation Reminder
• Waste Reminder
• Administratively Complete Permit Applications
• Upcoming Events
• Learn More About Proposition 4
• Texas Water News and Drought Update

Agriculture Water Sustainability Summit

Texas Tech University’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, in partnership with the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association (TAWWA), hosted the second annual Agricultural Water Sustainability Summit on October 14–15 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

The summit featured a range of expert speakers, including Brooke Paup, Chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, who delivered the opening keynote address. Texas Senator Charles Perry (R-District 28) also provided a legislative update, highlighting current and future water policy initiatives.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders - municipal leaders, industry professionals, agricultural producers, researchers, and students - to exchange ideas and explore solutions to pressing water challenges. Discussions focused on the unique needs of different water users and emphasized collaboration in addressing water sustainability across sectors.

On October 15, the High Plains Water District (HPWD) hosted a panel titled “Tackling Limited Water Supplies with Smart Conservation.” Jason Coleman, HPWD General Manager, moderated the session, which featured insights from:

• Brad Heffington, Agricultural Producer, Lamb County 
• Jeremy Reed, Agricultural Producer, Swisher County
• Randy Criswell, City Manager, Wolfforth
• Neil Weems, Director of Public Works, Plainview

The panel explored practical strategies for conserving water in both urban and agricultural settings, underscoring the importance of innovation and local leadership in managing limited resources.

4-H Water Ambassadors

HPWD currently sponsors six 4-H Water Ambassadors within the district. HPWD grant funds helped cover lodging, meals, and transportation for thirty new ambassadors and five adult chaperones attending the Tier 1 Leadership Academy in Lubbock on June 11th. 

Ambassadors Kade Gregory (Hockley County) and Jenny Sullivan (Lubbock County) praised the program for equipping youth to lead water conservation efforts and expressed gratitude for HPWD’s continued support.

In recognition of that support, the Texas 4-H Water Ambassador program presented a crystal plaque to the HPWD Board of Directors.

To learn more about the 4-H Water Ambassadors program, click here.

Ogallala Commons Field Day 

HPWD’s Research and Demonstration grants support Ogallala Commons, which hosted a field day on September 16, 2025. The event brought together 56 attendees, including community members, innovators, and advocates for sustainability.

Rainwater Innovation at Samuel Jackson, LLC
The day began at Samuel Jackson, LLC, a cotton equipment manufacturing company in West Texas that runs entirely on harvested rainwater. Since 2015, they’ve used rain collected from 48,000 square feet of rooftop - yielding 26,400 gallons per inch of rainfall - to meet all their water needs, including manufacturing, fire protection, and domestic use.

Key highlights from their system:

• Daily water use: ~400 gallons
• Sustainable operation on just 6 inches of annual rainfall
• Advanced treatment: ozonation, 5-micron filtration, and UV purification
• Overflow routed to a scenic Rain Park and a shallow lake

Their commitment to water stewardship supports operations and drives product innovation in cotton ginning equipment.

Soil Health and Aquifer Awareness at At’l Do Farms
The afternoon continued at At’l Do Farms in Shallowater, Texas, home of “The Maze,” now in its 25th year. Attendees toured the farm and learned about its regenerative practices, including:

• A diverse crop mix: sunflowers, foxtail millet, sunn hemp, radish, pearl millet, cowpeas, and sorghum sudangrass
• Techniques like crop rotation and minimal tillage are used to build soil health and biodiversity

A highlight of the visit was “The Tap,” an interactive installation by M12 Studio that draws water directly from the Ogallala Aquifer. Eric Simpson invited participants to drink, wash, or reflect - encouraging a deeper connection to the aquifer and its role in shaping sustainable futures.

This field day exemplified the power of community-driven innovation and environmental stewardship. HPWD is proud to support initiatives that educate and inspire action toward a resilient future.

South Plains Fair Conservation Exhibit

HPWD proudly participated in the South Plains Fair in Lubbock, sharing vital water conservation information and handouts with thousands of attendees. One of the standout features of our booth was the interactive rainwater harvesting display, which sparked curiosity and conversations about sustainable water practices. As a special highlight, ten rainwater barrels were donated by HPWD as door prizes at the award ceremonies hosted by Christina Reid, County Extension Agent – Horticulture, Lubbock County.

Visit our website for additional resources on Rainwater Harvesting and other conservation strategies.

R.A.C.E. Field Days

Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation (RACE) field days began Tuesday, September 16th, in Lamb County.

HPWD has helped fund and support the weather stations, making improvements and covering maintenance and telemetry costs for the network of publicly accessible weather stations.  Dr. Ken Legé stated that having support from HPWD to improve, maintain, and provide real-time public access to those weather stations has multiplied the efforts of other supportive organizations, such as Plains Cotton Growers and Cotton, Inc. The collective monetary support helps the region’s cotton growers use and conserve our groundwater most efficiently.  AgriLife RACE trials provide growers with regional results and comparisons.

Dr. Ken Legé, Lubbock’s Texas A&M AgriLife Extension cotton specialist, will host several on-farm field days featuring varieties and agronomic systems tested in the RACE trials. RACE trials offer researchers various growing environments without requiring them to grow the cotton themselves.

All RACE trial plot plans are publicly accessible at:  https://lubbock.tamu.edu/programs/crops/cotton/extension-cotton-agronomy/ This website will also host all results from these trials. Once all sites are completed, a formal report will be compiled.

Conservation Reminder

Keep an eye on your water bill. A sudden jump in usage could mean a leak. Catch it early to save water and money. 

Here are some things to check:

• Leaky Toilet: Can waste up to 200 gallons per day.
• Dripping Faucet: One drip per second adds up to 3,000 gallons yearly.
• Outdoor sprinkler leak: Depending on the size of the leak, it could waste 6,300 gallons a month. 

Waste Reminder

Irrigation water (“tailwater”) that escapes from a field and travels along a county road is prohibited per Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and HPWD rules.

Part of our mission at HPWD is preventing groundwater waste, so please help us by carefully watching your irrigation water applications.

If you need assistance or have questions about preventing water waste, contact the High Plains Water District office at (806) 762-0181.

Administratively Complete Permit Applications

Upcoming Events

Learn more from TWDB: Proposition 4 and Texas Water Fund Frequently Asked Questions.

Learn more about how Proposition 4 would invest in water for Texas communities at texaswaterfund.com

Texas Water News and Drought Updates

• Discussions regarding data centers draw interest from community residents in Amarillo.
• The drought conditions map and monthly outlook have been updated.