Environmental Finance Center, EPA Region 6, New Mexico TechLake Meredith, TexasLocationLake Meredith is located in the panhandle of Texas approximately 45 miles northeast of Lake Meredith. Water Supply Lake Meredith is operated by the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority and supplies water to 11 public water systems, including Amarillo and Lubbock. Approximately 750,000 people are in the service district of these 11 water systems and the water is delivered via 322 miles of transmission pipeline. Many of the water systems also have wells that supply a portion of the water in addition to the Lake Meredith water. Source Water Assessment A group of volunteers from the project area were trained in the use of GPS technology and how to recognize potential sources of contamination. This group of volunteers, including members of the EFC, examined the area of primary influence (API) around the Lake. The examination included inventorying all PSOCs. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality used this inventory to complete a source water assessment for Lake Meredith. Local Team The source water protection efforts are being led by local stakeholders. This group includes representatives from the water systems served by Lake Meredith, the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA), and the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP). Other agencies assisting the group include the National Park Service and Texas Railroad Commission. Priority Contamination Threats The main concerns with the towns water supply include: the marina that is near the intake (concerns with the gas pumps, boat ramp, dock and storage, sanitary system); gas lines underneath the lake; transportation routes around the Lake and across the dam; sewage lift station; drips (above ground storage tanks); and oil wells and associated operations. Protection Measures The source water protection plan for Lake Meredith has not been written because the TCEQ has not yet released its approved format for this report. When the format is completed, the plan will be prepared. However, much protection work has been done despite the lack of a formally written plan. The National Park Service has been working with oil and gas companies who operate around the Lake to properly close no longer used wells and to improve the environmental conditions at the well sites. Many of the worst sites have been cleaned up already. The National Park Service has also worked with the marina operator to improve conditions at the marina. Several changes to protect the Lake have been made. Additional measures will include a notification process when transportation accidents occur and public education measures. New Mexico EFC 2445 Alamo SE Suite 300 Albuquerque, NM 87106 The New Mexico Environmental Finance Center is a program of the Institute of Engineering Research and Applications at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. 
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Environmental Finance Advisory Board EPA Environmental Finance Program EPA Region 6 Drinking Water Program |
