HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-1039City of Denton
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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Water Utilities
CM/DCM/ACM: Christine Taylor
DATE: August 4, 2026
SUBJECT
Consider approval of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation,
authorizing the City Manager, or their designee, to protest water rights applications filed with the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality or its successor agency; ratifying past water rights application
protests; and providing an effective date.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
This action supports the Key Focus Area: Enhance Infrastructure and Mobility.
BACKGROUND
State surface water is held in trust by the State of Texas for the use and benefit of the public and can only
be appropriated pursuant to state law. Water rights allow the holder to appropriate a specified amount of
state surface water in particular locations, for stated purposes, and within a defined area.
The City is a water rights holder in Lewisville Lake and Ray Roberts Lake pursuant to Certificates of
Adjudication Nos. 08-2348 and 08-2335, which are the City’s primary sources of water supply. The City
relies on its water rights when making large investments in water infrastructure, planning for growth, and
making commitments to its wholesale customers. Water rights applications (i.e. new or amended water use
permits, interbasin transfer permits, or bed and banks permits) filed with the TCEQ may impair Denton’s
water rights and otherwise interfere with their use.
To protect the City’s water rights and its investment in its water infrastructure the City needs to protest
water rights applications. To protest the City must, among other actions, evaluate water rights permitting
impacts on the City’s water supply, prepare arguments and submit filings, such as hearing requests, to the
TCEQ Office of the Chief Clerk and to negotiate settlements and permit conditions with applicants and the
TCEQ.
Due to the regulatory timing for submitting protests, depending on when the City receives actual notice, the
circumstances surrounding the application, the details of the application, and to protect and maintain the
integrity of the City’s water supplies, the City’s long-range water supply planning, and the local
environment, the Denton City Manager, or their designee, needs the ability to efficiently and expeditiously
prepare and submit filings, as needed.
City Hall
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
N/A
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Agenda Information Sheet
Exhibit 2: Ordinance
Respectfully submitted:
Stephen Gay
General Manager
Water Utilities and Street Operations
940-349-8086
For information concerning this ordinance, contact: Denis Qualls at 940-349-8086
Legal point of contact: Christopher Mullins at 940-349-8114