Editor's note: 'Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink' is from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the phrase is used to suggest that despite being surrounded by something, you cannot benefit from it.
They were keenly aware that reservoirs, Bois d’Arc Lake and Lake Ralph Hall, were being established in Fannin County to collect surface water to provide potable water to customers located in the Metroplex.
Unfortunately, the plan was never fully implemented.
Fortunately, for Fannin County, the opportunity to implement the plan still remains.
Back in 2005, as initially planned, several public entities located in Fannin County came together and created the Fannin County Water Supply Agency. The Agency was created under Chapter 422 of the Texas Local Government Code for the express purpose of planning, financing, constructing, owning, operating, or maintaining facilities necessary or incidental to the development of a regional surface water supply system to satisfy the current and future water supply requirements in Fannin County. Members, public entities participating in the formation of the Agency, included Fannin County, the cities of Bailey, Bonham, Dodd City, Honey Grove, Ladonia, Leonard, Savoy, Trenton, and Whitewright, the town of Windom, the municipal water districts of Bois d’ Arc, Gober, and Lannius, and the special utility district of South West Fannin County. Several of those entities have ceased to exist or have lost interest in participating as members of the Agency.
In early 2009 the Agency and the North Texas Municipal Water District (District) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) relating to the provision of potable water to Fannin County. Under the MOA, in return for the Agency supporting the District’s application for the permitting and construction of the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir, the District agreed to provide a water supply from the Reservoir to be treated to potable water quality, to and through the Agency for any members of the Agency requesting potable water service. Under the MOA the Agency is responsible for consolidating all member requests and presenting the District with a consolidated written request to enter into a Water Supply Agreement (WSA). Once the request is made the Agency and the District are to negotiate a WSA. Under the MOA the Agency is required to specify the volume of water required by its members, and the price charged for water by the District is to be consistent with the District’s legally adopted customer rate.
Needless to say, now is the time for the Agency and its members to step up and fulfill their respective roles in providing potable water in sufficient supply to meet Fannin County’s ongoing and growing need.
How is this to be accomplished?
First and foremost, the Agency needs to meet and finalize its plan to supply potable water to its members. Second, the plan needs to be implemented: This involves an investment of time and money. Engineering studies need to be conducted to determine the volume of water required and necessary infrastructure. Most importantly, it involves working in cooperation with our partner, the North Texas Municipal Water District, to accomplish what should be a common goal, providing potable water to the citizens of Fannin County. A WSA needs to be negotiated. Opportunity knocks.
