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Show 706 TEXAS will be impaired. In addition to setting up standards applicable to all waters of the State, it was necessary to establish specific water parameter values for each stream. The board then is in a position to determine the level of waste each stream can withstand, according to its designated uses. Eventually, the amount each individual using the stream can discharge without causing the stream to exceed the standards can be determined. The Texas board has adopted the permit system as its method of controlling pollution. Both the board and the attorney general share the task of enforcing the water quality standards. A group of writers have carefully reviewed the matter of water pollution control in Texas, and while they conclude that the Board has acted quite effi- ciently in developing water quality standards and carrying out the permit system, they observe that the activities of the Board have not been adequately coordinated with the attorney general's office at the enforcement level.29 B. OTHER PUBLIC WATER AGENCIES Texas has not escaped the proliferation of local government units, which seems to be a phenomenon of modern society. Usually re- ferred to as special benefit districts, these local entities perform spe- cialized services and have limited functions, but do not generally possess general governmental powers. Public water districts repre- sent only one of various types of special purpose districts, but, in terms of numbers, they have a significant impact on local govern- ment. In recent years in Texas, there has been a steady increase in the number of levee improvement,30 drainage,31 and navigation dis- tricts.32 In 1969 there were 339 districts dealing primarily with water control, improvement, and supply.33 Speaking only of reclamation districts, one leading authority on Texas local government has said: These districts, created both by general and special laws, are called authori- ties, as well as districts and include some of the largest entities-the Brazos, Lower Colorado, and Sabine Kiver authorities, for example-in the entire structure of Texas local government. Their specific water-related activities vary, but include such programs as flood control, soil conservation, hydro- electric power generation, water storage, and irrigation. They have extensive borrowing powers, relying primarily on grants and service charges for cur- rent financial resources. According to the Census Bureau's enumeration, there were a total of 99 districts of this type in 1967. This represented an increase of more than 50 percent over the 63 counted a decade earlier.34 C. PRIVATE WATER AGENCIES Although there is no indication that mutual water companies were used in Texas, the commercial carrier ditch corporation was rela- tively common some years ago. But private capital was never able to finance reclamation projects which were extensive enough to play an important role in the development of water resources. The result 29 See the excellent notes in 48 Tex. L. Rev. 1032, 1047, 1286 (1970). 80 Sees. 57.001 to 57.346. 31 Sees. 56.001 to 56.311. 82 Sees. 60.001 to 60.301. a3 Sees. 51.001 to 51.836. See note, 8 Houston L. Rev. 712 (1971). 84 Anderson, Texas Local Governments: The 'Numbers Game, 15 Public Affairs Com- ment, No. 1 (1969). Some of the problems in "multipurpose" district legislation are discussed In YoaJcum County Water Control & Imp. Dist. No. 2 v. First State Bank. 433 S.W. 2d 200 (Tex. Civ. App. 1968). |
