There is a ton of surface water availability in Central Texas, for example the city of Austin gets its water from the Colorado River, not the aquifer. As far as

There is a ton of surface water availability in Central Texas, for example the city of Austin gets its water from the Colorado River, not the aquifer. As far as I can tell there isn't really a significant depletion problem with the Edwards Aquifer (especially compared to one like the Ogallala); seems like the issues are about the recharge zone being in the urban area and therefore possible contamination from runoff, reduced pressure in springs harming endangered species, and arguably NIMBYism in and around the recharge zone.