Next we heard from Allen Walther director of Hays County Environmental Health Department and Bill Burnett Hays County Commissioner. Burnett spoke of the county's resolution to exempt individuals from property tax on rainwater systems and give a 100.00 rebate for new systems. Hays County' s designation as part of a Priority Groundwater Management Area by the Texas Water Development Board has forced the county commissioners to look for expanded tools and authority to manage the rapid growth and the impacts on the limited groundwater. Burnett spoke of the county's effort to offer incentives for rainwater harvesting in the sub-division rules to allow smaller lot sizes to developers. Allen Walther then addressed the qualifying criteria for the program.
Taxable value is reduced by the rainwater collection system construction costs.
Hays County is working to establish a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Linked Deposit Program. Allen also spoke of the option of listing a homeowners tank on county maps to help with fire prevention in remote areas. The next presenter was Charles Gibson owner and installer from Rainman Water Works from Dripping Springs. Charles showed slides and spoke of the superior water quality and security rainwater harvesting offered. The long term savings on home appliances from using distilled rainwater was significant.