Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Vice President of Operations with Texas Water Utilities Terry Benson spoke to chamber members about water conservation during the Aug. 11 luncheon. 

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Executive Director of the Mabank Education Foundation Tonya Chapman (from left) and The Monitor’s Director of Sales Janice Grubbs-Vincik, pose for a picture with Carrie Inmon and a local realtor during the Aug. 11 chamber luncheon.

CEDAR CREEK LAKE–The Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce heard from Vice President of Operations Texas Water Utilities Terry Benton during the monthly luncheon Aug. 11. Benton provided an informational speech on the importance of water conservation especially during a drought. 
Benton, who has over 41 years of water and wastewater system, public works and investor-run utility experience. He explained that Texas Water Utilities operates under a company named Southwest Water Company which serves 66,000 connections in the state of Texas and is the second largest privately held utility in Texas. Benton stated that within the next year or two they hope to be the largest private utility company in Texas. 
“Around Cedar Creek Lake we serve about 3,500 connections, two surface water treatment plants that actually draw water out of the lake, from Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) who owns the water in the lake,” stated Benton. He said they also have numerous groundwater systems in the area also. Benton informed chamber members that they have invested over $2 million into the systems in Henderson County with an additional $4 million planned for the next two years. “We’re going to continue to invest in these communities and our systems to improve water, improve our operations,” said Benton. 
He clarified that you either receive water from surface water sources such as a lake, river or stream or groundwater sources such as a well.  “The difference in the water, is the water that comes from the lake is susceptible to pollutants, runoff, rain, cow pastures, fertilizers those kinds of things. So, it takes a certain kind of treatment,” explained Benton. He said to serve a community, groundwater would have to be 350 to 1500 feet deep in our area. Groundwater is not exposed to the treatments that surface water sources are so there is less treatment required. 
Benton explained that drought in Texas is measured in different ways but generally it’s based on the amount of rain that you get. “The amount of rain that you get, the dryness of the ground, the production of crops, there are a lot of factors that go into it. But recently this area was added to the drought area and potential disaster area by the governor because of wildfire potential,” said Benton. 
Conservation is key to try and remedy the drought said Benton. The drought restrictions are across the state, which are mandatory restrictions. Benton says the water in Cedar Creek Lake is measured by acre feet. Conservation starts at home, says Benton, explaining that about 60% of what you use during the summer goes on your yard. His recommendation is to water early in the morning or later in the evening as it reduces evaporation and to consider a drip system. He also recommends washing the car at a car wash instead of at your home with a water hose and to quickly repair any home or plumbing leaks as quickly as possible. “If you have a running toilet, you would be surprised how much water that leaks and runs up your water bill every day. A small drip everyday will use about 3,000 gallons a month,” Benton said. If you are paying $5 to $10 per 1,000 gallons of water, that leak could quickly add another $15 to $30 to your monthly bill. 
Conservation also impacts firefighters. “There are a lot of peripheral impacts to the kind of things we do every day as far as conservation goes,” says Benton. 
Executive Director of the Community Food Pantry in Tool Vicki Dumont was the luncheon’s sponsor this month. Dumont spoke about the hundrex, give without spending fundraiser for the pantry. Over 1,300 companies are seeking feedback on their businesses or stores. Dumont explained that when you fill out the surveys the pantry is given $2 per survey. There is a limit to 75 surveys and the fundraiser runs from Monday, Sept. 5 to Wednesday, Oct. 5. Dumont was very clear that participant emails are not shared nor are participants “spammed” with junk emails after concluding a survey. For more information on the hundrex fundraiser contact Dumont at vjfoodpantry@gmail.com. 
The Business of the Month was awarded to S & S Services in Gun Barrel City.