Wayne Ahrens on the Early Planning Behind the Authority
Before the Authority was created, early planning helped define the need for a regional water supply solution. Wayne Ahrens, Program Manager, reflects on the studies, legislation, and early questions that shaped the Authority’s direction.
Transcript
Transcript edited for clarity and readability.
My history with the Authority really starts before it was there.
Jim Dannenbaum and Jim Boone originally created the West Harris County nonprofit Water Supply Corporation, and we did a major study for that corporation, funded 50% by the Water Development Board and 50% by interested water districts out in West Harris County.
People decided they needed an entity with a little bit broader capabilities. Then I helped, working with Jim Boone and Jim Dannenbaum, to create the legislation for the Authority.
I actually wrote the metes and bounds for the board members’ precinct boundaries.
Then after the Authority was created, the first assignment was, what’s our water supply? Where is it? Where are we going to get the water? Where is it going to come from?
That really drives the whole plan for the Authority.
