The Authority employs a staff that consists of hydrogeologists, environmental specialists, water resource planners, information and education specialists, and support personnel to facilitate the development and implementation of the operations and programs.

The board is advised by the South Central Texas Water Advisory Committee (SCTWAC) on how actions of the Authority effect downstream water rights and issues. The SCTWAC consists of one representative from each of 17 counties Atascosa, Caldwell, Calhoun, Comal, Hays, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Medina, Nueces, Victoria, Refugio, San Patricio, Uvalde, and Wilson, plus the cities of San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Victoria.

The Authority's full-time staff performs administrative, professional, technical and regulatory agency functions. Their organizational structure is divided into seven work teams: Executive, Administrative, Aquifer Science, Compliance, Resource Management, Public Affairs, and Resource Protection.

Programs

The Edwards Aquifer Authority is a political subdivision of the State of Texas and was created by the Texas Legislature. Governed by a board of directors elected by popular vote, the Authority employs a staff that consists of hydrogeologists, environmental specialists, water resource planners, information and education specialists, and support personnel to facilitate the development and implementation of the operations and programs.

Authority programs are dedicated to creating a better understanding of hydrogeology, water quality and use of the Edwards Aquifer. By gathering, maintaining and analyzing this information, successful groundwater management strategies can be designed and adapted, leading to an optimization of Edwards Aquifer production.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

The General Manager is hired by the board to manage all aspects of Authority operations and serves as the leader of the Executive Team. In addition to providing administrative support for the board and overall management of the agency, the Executive Team oversees the Authority’s intergovernmental relations, legal, initial regular permit, rules development, and enforcement services.

The Executive Team also serves as the primary liaison with the Authority’s 17-member board of directors. Fifteen of these directors are voting members, elected from single-member districts. One director is appointed by the South Central Texas Water Advisory Committee (SCTWAC) and one is appointed on a four-year rotating cycle from Medina and Uvalde counties.

ADMINISTRATION TEAM

The Administration Team serves the entire staff of the Authority by providing all the support activities required by the organization. This team has the responsibility of ensuring the Authority’s other teams have the supplies, equipment, facilities and technology available to perform their duties. In addition, the Administration Team provides human resources and financial services required to keep the organization operating efficiently.

AQUIFER SCIENCE TEAM

The Aquifer Science Team develops and administers the hydrogeologic research initiatives.  The Aquifer Science Team is also responsible for the collection of basic hydrologic data including aquifer water levels, surface water, spring and groundwater quality sampling, recharge dam data collection, reporting and maintenance, and geophysical well logging.  In addition, the Aquifer Science Team maintains the Authority's remote gauging data network for surface water and rainfall, prepares the annual water use reports, and supports the Authority's compliance programs. 

Resource MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Authority's Resource Management Team develops and facilitates the implementation of several programs addressing the long-range planning requirements of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Act. This team also administers programs designed to enhance groundwater conservation by all users throughout the region.

compliance TEAM

The Compliance Team organizes and performs the Edwards Aquifer Authority's Rules compliance, enforcement, and field inspection activities. This involves working with Edwards Aquifer Initial Regular Permit holders and other aquifer stakeholders to ensure compliance with Authority Rules. Associated activities include communicating with and coordinating requirements with permit holders to achieve compliance with Authority’s rules, and when necessary, coordinating enforcement activities by performing field investigations and preparing enforcement summaries to present to the Authority Board of Directors for appropriate action. The Compliance Team also performs routine field inspections to ensure compliance with the Authority’s water well construction and plugging programs and the water well flow meter and groundwater withdrawal reporting programs.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM

The Public Affairs Team objective is to increase awareness of the Authority by the key publics (customers). This is done by establishing a purposeful identity of the Authority, communicating critical issues clearly and concisely, increasing pro-active efforts to build partnerships with the news media throughout the region, and assisting the public by developing and distributing educational information.

Resource Protection Team

The Resource Protection Team objective is to protect the quality of groundwater in the Edwards Aquifer. This team's functions include administration of the Authority's water quality regulations, monitoring of recharge zone development, coordination of conservation easements, water quality protection and response, well construction and closing, and serving as a resource to other water quality regulatory agencies.