The Pedernales River is one of Texas’s most cherished waterways, an ecological, recreational, and cultural treasure that defines the Hill Country. As stewards of this vital resource, the Pedernales River Alliance (PRA) has opposed the wastewater permit application (WQ0016363001) submitted by the Village at Grape Creek (now the Village at Fredericksburg) to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The Village -Fredericksburg is located on Hwy. 290, near Jenschke Lane and consists of 242 tiny home units with amenities, including “the largest resort-style pool in all of Fredericksburg”. If approved, this permit would allow the discharge of 20,000 gallons per day of treated wastewater into Beckmann Branch, a tributary of the Pedernales, threatening water quality, habitat integrity, and the rural character of the region.
The Village’s Wastewater Discharge permit application is making its tortuous way through TCEQ. Over 125 individuals and groups submitted comments, all in opposition to the permit and a contentious public hearing was held on June 13, 2024 at the Inn at Baron’s Creek.
On February 27, 2025, the TCEQ Commissioners will decide three main issues:
-
- if a contested case hearing will be held by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
- if a hearing is granted, who has “standing” to participate in the hearing and
- what issues can be raised at the hearing.
The Pedernales River Alliance is asking for standing to participate. Our position is that Hill Country streams are not wastewater pipelines. Even with modern treatment technologies, direct discharge introduces nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus into the water, and which can fuel algae blooms, degrade aquatic habitats, and reduce water clarity. The Pedernales is already
facing water quality challenges, and adding more pollutants could have devastating long-term effects.
Beckmann Branch is a small, sensitive stream with intermittent flow and does not have the capacity to dilute and assimilate wastewater like larger rivers do. During dry periods, effluent could make up the majority of its flow, turning a dry stream into a wastewater conduit. The result? Increased risks of contamination, reduced oxygen levels for aquatic life, and increased threats to landowners, agriculture, and wildlife.
The Pedernales watershed is home to working ranches, wildlife corridors, and families who have lived along these waters for generations. Increased wastewater discharge poses risks to groundwater recharge, drinking water wells, and livestock operations that depend on clean water.
The porous Hensel Sand Formation is located at the surface of the site and waste water discharge has the potential to influence nearby water wells. Moreover, the river supports diverse wildlife, including sensitive fish and amphibian species that require pristine conditions to survive.
Yes, there is an Alternative: Land Application, a responsible alternative to direct discharge. Beneficial land applications where treated wastewater is used for irrigation rather than being dumped into Beckmann Branch offers a sustainable approach that protects waterways while still accommodating responsible growth. The Fredericksburg Standard on January 22, 2025 told how Arch Ray Development has done a “180 on 290”, and will not be directly discharging into the Pedernales. The Village at Grape Creek should be required to do the same.
TCEQ must prioritize water quality over development. Texas law mandates that TCEQ safeguard the state’s water resources. Granting this permit would undermine that duty and set a dangerous precedent for future developments seeking to discharge into sensitive Hill Country creeks and rivers. The Pedernales River Alliance is urging TCEQ to deny this application and
require the developer to adopt a wastewater solution that does not jeopardize our water.
The Hill Country is at a crossroads. Will we allow unregulated growth to degrade the natural treasures that make this region special? Or will we demand responsible development that respects our land, water, and communities? The answer should be clear: TCEQ should protect
Beckmann Branch, protect the Pedernales, and reject this permit.
To support the efforts of Pedernales River Alliance, join and contribute at
Pedernalesriveralliance.org
Give Today!
The Pedernales River Alliance (PRA) is a member of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA). One of the things that GEAA helps us with is the collection of donations.
Katherine Peake
830 998-1778
kbfpeake@gmail.com