Robert Mace will speak to the Rotary Club on April 1 about water usage and conservation issues in Hays County. He is the Executive Director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University.
His presentation will address concerns about data center water consumption as well as the escalating water demands resulting from the rapid growth of the area.
As a respected expert on regional water issues, Mace has recently been mentioned as a possible guest for two high-profile discussions on Hays County water concerns and priorities.
He was among the announced guests for Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra’s Regional Water Summit. Mace has also been invited to take part in State Representative Erin Zwiener’s working group on “Data Centers, Water Use & Local Authority” in Hays County.
Mace is currently a Professor of Practice in the TXST Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. He has a Master’s Degree in Hydrology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Hydrogeology.
Before joining the Meadows Center, Mace spent 18 years working in various roles for the Texas Water Development Board, advancing to Deputy Executive Administrator for the Water Science & Conservation. While at the Board, Robert researched preservation of groundwater and surface-water resources within the context of regional and state water planning. He is an expert on groundwater management.
In 2022, Mace published a book titled “Groundwater Sustainability: Conception, Development, and Application” and is currently working on a book about water resources and climate change. A contribution from The Meadows Foundation in 2012 established the $10 million Meadows Center at Texas State University, which focuses on water research and water’s relationship with the environment. The Center is located where the San Marcos Springs form the headwaters of the San Marcos River, on the former site of the Aquarena Springs amusement park. Mace summarized the focus of his presentation with the title “The Future of Water in Hays County.”
“As the old adage goes, whiskey’s fer drinkin’, water’s fer fightin’. And there’s been a whole lot of fightin’ lately,” he said in a press preview.
“Located along the I-35 growth corridor, Hays County is no stranger to folks fighting over water. Historically, there have been fights with western jumpers over San Marcos Springs and fights over management of groundwater. Massive growth, drought, failing springs, warming temperatures, and new uses of water such as data gigacenters have just increased concern and flared tempers.”
Mace said he will present research at his Rotary talk to illustrate water usage trends and challenges locally as well as at the state level.
“Using facts and figures, I will put several of the county’s water issues into context with local, regional, and state water planning efforts and offer up potential solutions for our water issues,” he said.
“Meeting the water needs for everyone is key to protecting people and the environment.”
Rotary Club of San Marcos meets Wednesdays at noon at the VFW Hall, 1701 Hunter Rd. Visitors are always welcome at Rotary meetings.
