New Water Research Center to be Housed within the Borderlands Research Institute

By: Maya Tinajero, Skyline Desk-Chief

ALPINE – The West Texas Water Research Center is steadily progressing at Sul Ross, despite recent budget cuts to the university. Marfa Public Radio spoke to Billy Tarrant, the current interim director of the new West Texas Water Research Center. The recently launched water center is to be housed within Sul Ross University’s Borderlands Research Institute, and according to Tarrant, “aims to help researchers, landowners, and other stakeholders get a better understanding of water supply, recharge rates, and sustainability across the region.”

Tarrant says service is “front and center” to the effort. The priority of the center is to offer various perspectives, including research and capacities to groundwater districts, communities, and elected officials. A major issue the center is focused on is the lack of research on the igneous aquifer, which is one of the primary aquifers located in Texas. According to Tarrant, funding research will allow for a better understanding of how the aquifer operates as well as the stressors it can handle.

When asked why he thought water research was needed during this time, Tarrant said, “There is a need for water professionals in the state of Texas.” He also mentioned the continuous and prolonged droughts that have occurred throughout the region within growing communities.

“The time is right. It’s probably past due,” said Tarrant.

Tarrant spoke about how the locality of the center adds to the importance of the research. Because the center is locally constructed, it increases the chance for the university to become a “hub” for past and ongoing research.

In recent months, AI data centers have caused discourse concerning water usage. Regarding whether or not the center would be playing a role in watching for those sorts of development plans, Tarrant stated, “We can certainly, hopefully, provide the capacity to see when those things are coming in our direction, and then inform those that have an interest.”