Welcome to Comal County

As a new resident, especially if you moved here from another state or have only lived in an incorporated city before, there are some things key aspects about Comal County that you should know.  Understanding these elements will provide valuable context for the area’s unique challenges and opportunities.

In the last few years, Comal County has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. In 2020, the population was 161,501; it was 193,928 in 2023; an estimated 203,107 in 2024; and is estimated to grow to 249,002 by the end of the decade. This growth impacts our natural systems in many ways: water resources especially environmental flows will be placed under increased strain, land fragmentation (large properties subdivided for residential development)and dense development will displace wildlife, developments over aquifer recharge zones will decrease recharge and reduce water quality, increased wastewater permits will change the look and feel of our rivers and streams, and increased light pollution will endanger nocturnal and migratory wildlife in addition to separating our communities from the night skies we currently enjoy. 

Our community’s water supply system is complex, involving multiple governmental and corporate entities that provide water from a variety of sources. Key organizations responsible for providing water to the county’s residents and ensuring water supplies are sustainable include New Braunfels Utilities, Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Edwards Aquifer Authority, Texas Water Company, Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, and several smaller water systems.  These providers source water from a combination of groundwater aquifers (the Trinity and Edwards aquifers) and surface water from rivers and reservoirs. Managing these resources has become increasingly challenging due to rapid population growth and rising water demand. The need to balance development with conservation efforts is more critical than ever. Ensuring sustainable water supplies requires coordinated efforts among these entities to address the complexities of water sourcing and distribution effectively.

The Hill Country has often been described as perpetually in drought and punctuated by floods. Most recently Comal County has been experiencing drought conditions since early summer of 2022.  As a result, the amount of available water has greatly decreased while water demand has steadily grown.  As a result, the water in Canyon Lake, the Edwards Aquifer and the Trinity Aquifer have declined, naturally the flows of our spring fed rivers have followed suit. To conserve our natural systems water utilities, groundwater conservation districts and river authorities have set a variety of drought restrictions. These restrictions vary based on the impact that the drought has had on the specific authority’s water supplies and can vary across the county. 

The drought of record for Texas began in 1950 and lasted seven years.  The U. S. Census counted 16,357 people in Comal County in 1950. Our current population is more than twelve times that number.  Even with additional rain, the need to implement sustainable water and land management practices is urgent. Now more than ever we need to come together and plan for this increase in demand. We must also take care to ensure that our rivers and lakes have enough environmental flow to support our county’s recreation economy and our incredible quality of life. 

Counties serve as administrative arms of the state government and may only exercise powers explicitly granted by the state constitution.  Cities have all powers unless the state constitution has specifically removed the power from the city. Counties have very limited zoning authority, often only for specific purposes, like airport zoning. This means that under current law, if all state permits are approved, quarries can be built near neighborhoods. Building regulations are limited to certain aspects, such as setback lines.  The State Legislature can and should change the laws to give counties greater authority to manage growth and sustain the natural systems that we all rely on.

Be educated and engaged: 

Learn about county and state government.  Register to Vote. Know who your County Commissioner is and if you live in an incorporated town, who is your council member.  Find out where decisions are made and contact the proper officials (local and state) with your concerns and ideas. Attend city and county government meetings. Enroll in the University of County Government or New Braunfels City University

Practice water conservation at home

• Installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances
• Fixing leaks promptly
• Collecting rainwater for non-potable use

Consider landscaping choices

In Comal County, approximately 60% of outdoor water usage is dedicated to watering residential lawns.  Consider xeriscaping and using native plants.

Promote water reuse in schools and government buildings.

Become a Friend of Comal Conservation